Responsible procurement

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We are aware our responsibility for people and the environment in procurement, too. Our goal is to establish fair and environmentally friendly value chains for the benefit of everyone involved: manufacturers, employees, suppliers, partners as well as customers. Responsible procurement is, however, also a prerequisite in order to remain competitive in the future and preserve our image as an attractive employer.

For this reason, sustainability is fully integrated into our procurement function and part of our procurement policy. This will help us to achieve our climate neutrality target and to exercise our due diligence obligations in accordance with human rights. We foster a responsible approach to our suppliers, since it is only by working together fairly and as partners that we can significantly increase sustainability in the supply chain.

Sustainability in procurement

Every year we purchase billions of francs’ worth of goods and services from our suppliers. In doing so, we prefer partners who take a holistic approach to their corporate policy and share our values. Sustainability criteria are already used systematically in tenders.

Signing our Supplier Code of Conduct for Responsible Procurement (PDF, 307.9 KB)[Media | Not Accessible] represents an important foundation for collaboration. The Code enshrines respect for human rights, the prohibition of child labour, adequate remuneration, and measures to protect the environment and climate along the supply chain.

We have established the necessary processes to ensure that our requirements in the Supplier Code of Conduct for Responsible Procurement are adhered to. In doing so, we base our approach on the internationally recognized standards of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights as well as the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Business Conduct.

Policy statement and anchoring

The Supplier Code of Conduct for Responsible Procurement forms the basis for collaboration with our suppliers. For this to be implemented and to ensure due diligence obligations, we have defined clear responsibilities within Swiss Post.

Risk analysis

It’s important for us to understand our risks to pursue our risk-based approach. We carry out a thorough risk analysis to fulfil our entrepreneurial due diligence obligations. This analysis helps us to identify areas where action is needed and set priorities. In doing so, we pay special attention to the likelihood that risks will occur and the severity of these risks.

Measures

Based on the risk analysis, we define measures which are to be implemented by the supplier. The measures taken contribute to preventing, rectifying or reducing negative impacts in our supply chain.

Monitoring

By monitoring the defined measures and indicators, we make sure that the desired impact has been achieved. This helps us to continuously develop and improve our process.

Communication

We report transparently on the progress made in our supply chain as well as the effectiveness of the measures taken.

Complaints procedure and help

Improper practices across the supply chain can be reported using the publicly accessible complaints channel. The complaints channel is a central point of contact for whistleblowers and concerned parties.

Sustainable supply chains

Only those who know their supply chains can identify risks and take responsibility towards people and the environment along the supply chains. That’s why we’ve set ourselves the goal of assessing the supply chains for product groups with potential risks concerning the environment and human rights by 2030. We’re reviewing particularly high-risk product groups with partnerships or independent external organizations like the Fair Wear Foundation.

We are a member of the Fair Wear Foundation

The global clothing industry is marked by precarious working conditions and low wages. In 2012, we were the first major Swiss corporation to sign the declaration of membership to the Fair Wear Foundation (FWF) in order to meet these risks head-on in the supply chain. By becoming a member of this global organization, we are committed to the strict inspection and sustainable implementation of social standards at our clothing suppliers. All clothing that we provide to employees entitled to workwear every year are produced under fair conditions. This is verified through audits by the Fair Wear Foundation (FWF) every year. 

Leader status

The controls carried out by the Fair Wear Foundation focus on socially responsible work conditions at production sites. We perform well: the work conditions at the production sites are good and across the entire supply chain – from the material to the finished item of clothing – there is full cost transparency. For this reason, Fair Wear Foundation has awarded us with “Leader” status several times.

Contribution to climate target

By 2040, we intend to achieve our ambitious net zero target. A significant portion of our greenhouse gas emissions comes from our supply chain. That’s why we’re attaching particular importance to the decarbonization of our supply chain. Emissions from the supply chain will be reduced by 25% by 2030 and by 90% by 2040 compared to the 2021 baseline year. In this sense, responsible procurement helps us to make an important contribution towards achieving our climate target.

Circular procurement

Swiss Post is one of the biggest clients in Switzerland. We have great potential to increase the lifespan of products with circular procurements and to reduce the impact on environment and climate. That’s why we’re integrating aspects of circular economy into our procurement decisions and attempting to close loops.

A second lease of life for Swiss Post clothes

As part of the “A second lease of life for Swiss Post clothes” initiative, work clothes that are no longer in use are sent to second-hand department stores via the Swiss Red Cross or to mountain farming families via Swiss Mountain Aid. Due to brand protection, however, not all clothing articles can be passed on. Employees at the protected BEWO workshop turn individual pieces of clothing into laptop cases, bags and stools which are then given a second life in Swiss Post branches. This is called upcycling and doesn’t just do good for the environment, but also creates jobs for people with impairments.

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Whistleblowing platform

Compliance with legal regulations, ethical principles and the Supplier Code of Conduct for Responsible Procurement (PDF, 307.9 KB)[Media | Not Accessible] for suppliers is of central importance to us. To live up to this claim, we operate an external whistleblowing platformTarget not accessible. Swiss Post employees and external whistleblowers alike can report breaches of the Code of Ethics and Social Responsibility anonymously and confidentially. This allows appropriate preventative or remedial measures to be taken.

Introduction for suppliers

Swiss Post attaches great importance to partnership-based collaboration and a common understanding of sustainability. The following information from Swiss Post provides suppliers with a basis for implementing a responsible value chain:

Information for partner companies on the implementation of sustainability

This introduction provides an overview of Swiss Post’s sustainability goals, the content of the Supplier Code and the performance rating as well as supplier development in terms of sustainability.

Supplier Code of Conduct for Responsible Procurement (PDF, 307.9 KB)[Media | Not Accessible]

The Supplier Code represents the basis for collaboration with Swiss Post. Please inform your subcontractors, who provide relevant elements of services, about the requirements for partner companies on the implementation of sustainability during service provision.

Poster for communication on the anonymous external reporting unit (PDF, 457 KB)

Violations of the Supplier Code for Responsible Procurement can be reported anonymously and confidentially. This poster can be used to inform employees in the supply chain about Swiss Post’s anonymous external reporting unit.

All you need to know

Fair Wear Foundation

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Any questions on responsible procurement?

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Climate and energy

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