Content :

Responsible purchasing - Actions

 

• Download the sanofi-aventis Suppliers Code of Conduct (new window, PDF, 0.6 Mb)

• Training purchasing employees
• Creating awareness among suppliers
• Supplier evaluations

Training purchasing employees and roll-out of the approach among suppliers

Building purchasing employee awareness and rolling out the "Purchasing and Sustainable Development" approach at all Group subsidiaries

Sanofi-aventis has implemented a training program that integrates a sound understanding of the principles contained in the United Nations Global Compact, ILO Conventions (International Labor Organization), and other standards (in particular, SA 8000 and ISO 14000). This program has greatly enriched the Purchasing Function. In addition to the training sessions that are gradually being set up throughout the entire Purchasing organization, this topic is routinely addressed at all regional Purchasing conferences. 
The Group takes such steps to ensure that buyers have a sound grasp of the issues as well as the "Purchasing and Sustainable Development " approach.  

Creating awareness among suppliers

Improving suppliers' awareness of the sustainable development principles adopted by sanofi-aventis

The Group has distributed the "Sanofi-aventis Suppliers Code of Conduct" to all its suppliers. 

This code of conduct is part and parcel of the Group's sustainable development approach; suppliers' compliance with the code determines their commercial relationship with sanofi-aventis.

The Group thereby intends to commit its suppliers to observe and comply with fundamental principles (social, ethical and environmental) in all activities and at all sites worldwide.  

Supplier evaluations

Supplier evaluations and ensuring suppliers comply with the key principles of the United Nations Global Compact

The Group is gradually incorporating a general "Sustainable Development" clause into all the Group's purchasing contracts as well as specific clauses related to certain purchasing categories (in all countries and for all activities).

In addition, suppliers are evaluated during two- to three- hour interviews; a questionnaire containing 30 questions about social, ethical and environmental issues provides a basis for discussion. Depending on the type of supplier, more specific questions are addressed, in particular concerning the purchase of animals used for research, computer purchases, etc. Site visits and audits also take place to reinforce the evaluations.

 Following the audits, an improvement plan may be developed and discussed with the aim of increasing supplier compliance with the fundamental principles.

Through these actions, the Group intends to commit its suppliers to observe and comply with fundamental principles (social, ethical and environmental) in all activities and at all sites worldwide.