CRITERIA

Exploitation of Labour

Freedom of Association & Collective Bargaining

Safe & Hygienic Working Environment

Accommodation

Child Labour

Living Wages To Be Paid

Working Hours Are Not Excessive

No Discrimination

Regular Employment

No Harsh Or Inhumane Treatment

Continual Improvement

General

Code

Law

Assess

Action Plan

Co-op Group Approach to Sound Sourcing

We believe that everyone, from our consumer-members to the communities where we trade, should benefit from our business.

Our aim is to develop an effective working partnership with suppliers in order to secure safe and decent working and living conditions for anybody involved in the production of our range of Co-op Brand products.

This means working in the areas of fair trade and ethical trade. At the heart of our initiative is our Sound Sourcing Code of Conduct for suppliers. This sets out the minimum acceptable standards for suppliers of Co-op Brand products and has been developed with reference to the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) Base Code. The Co-operative Group is a member of the ETI and is working alongside other members, including companies, international trade unions and non-governmental organisations to secure improvements in working conditions and social accountability in the supply chain.

Our overall aim is to demonstrate that all manufacturing sites which produce Co-op brand products operate ethically and have a genuine commitment to the sound sourcing criteria set out in the Code of Conduct. Through solidarity and working together, the potential for improving the quality of people’s lives is greatly increased. That is why we are working with other companies through the ETI and are committed to supporting our suppliers through the process of change.