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Clear rules for a lasting relationship
Groupe SEB expects its relationships with its suppliers to be based on transparency. Beyond the valuable requirements, quality and punctuality, the Group involves its suppliers in its commitment to sustainable development, particularly in the areas of business ethics, the environment and working conditions. Sustainable development criteria form an integral part of the purchasing guidelines and general conditions of purchase. All members or aspiring members of the supplier panel are individually assessed for compliance with sustainable development criteria and regulations. With 1,342 industrial suppliers worldwide, Groupe SEB has a huge responsibility to see to it that its products are manufactured in ethical conditions. |
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Meeting social and environmental requirements
In the area of the environment, the Group exhorts its suppliers to obtain ISO 14001 certification. All are required to sign an eco-statement in which they undertake not to use substances forbidden by regulations in the country where the products will be sold. This document incorporates the provisions of European RoHS and REACH directives,and involves specific spot-check analyses. |
Groupe SEB also wants its suppliers to comply with local labour laws, particularly in countries where rights are thought to be insufficiently protected. Since 2002, the Groupe requires these suppliers to fill out a social declaration like SA 8000, one of the international standards in this area. Then it carries out social audits to monitor actual practices in this field.
In 2008, the Group set out a procedure for nonconformity cases. For any serious breach of regulation, the Group suspends new orders with the supplier and imposes him to implement a corrective action plan before any resumption of cooperation. |
A buyer’s ethics code
Several years ago, the Group wrote an ethics code focusing on four main areas:
- observing the law in all countries and actions to verify that suppliers do the same;
- refusing all financial compensation, gifts and advantages;
- keeping information that is not indispensable for trade confidential;
- applying buying methods that stimulate genuine competition between sound suppliers.
Drafted in French, English and Chinese, this ethics Code is signed by all the buyers of the Group and sent to all the suppliers. |
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