A substantial share of
Beiersdorf’s suppliers has been analysed regarding certain criteria also
relating to Modern Slavery. All suppliers considered higher risk committed to
follow Beiersdorf’s Code of Conduct for Business Partners. Additionally, to drive ethical and sustainable improvements our top critical suppliers agreed to be part of Sedex.
Beiersdorf recognises that supply chains are highly complex and internationally intertwined and
take our responsibilities in these very seriously. Beiersdorf’s Code of Conduct for Business Partners aims to prevent misconduct and make clear what we expect from our
suppliers in terms of environmental and social responsibility. In 2023, the Code
of Conduct was updated to follow Germany’s new Supply Chain Due Diligence Act
where Beiersdorf’s headquarters are based. This law requires large companies to
take responsibility for upholding human rights in their supply chains and this
altered our Code of Conduct for all suppliers of Beiersdorf worldwide, including those of Beiersdorf UK Ltd.
The Code of Conduct is a binding contractual basis for compliance with human
rights between Beiersdorf and its business partners along the entire value
chain. Consequently, suppliers are asked to sign the Code of Conduct.
All existing key suppliers that
Beiersdorf affiliates (including Beiersdorf UK Ltd) have identified will also
be asked to resign this updated Code, with this process being managed centrally
via our Headquarters.
Additionally, the
Beiersdorf group commits to the approach of sustainable development
through the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which is part of our
sustainable agenda available on the corporate website.
Beiersdorf also
requires suppliers to engage the inclusion of modern slavery related questions
in our standard tender process and part of supplier selection criteria. The supplier
will then provide their modern slavery statements in support of Beiersdorf’s commitment
to eliminate the risk of slavery and human trafficking with reference to the
supply of products and / or services.
Finally, Beiersdorf
leverages the synergies of the recognized Sedex, EcoVadis and AIM-Progress collaborative
platforms on which further information can be found in the Non-Financial Statement 2022.