2 replies to this topic

[kconf]

Hi all,

Do I have to ensure our suppliers Management, Finance, Purchasing and Logistics teams are aware of the ETI Base Code for us to fully meet compliance? How would I know each of my supplier is compliant to be able to call ourselves compliant? 

 

Trying to fill this form out if someone can help. 

 

THE ETI BASE CODE COMPLIANCE CHECKLIST

 

This document ensures the awareness and compliance of the company stated below regarding the ETI (Ethical Trading Initiative) Base Code.

 

Company Name:

 

 

 

Please check what applies to your company.

☒  Our Company’s Management, Finance, Purchasing and Logistics teams are aware of the ETI Base Code

☐  Our Suppliers Management, Finance, Purchasing and Logistics teams are aware of the ETI Base Code

☐  Our company is registered with SMETA and has completed the 3^rd Party Social Responsibility Audit (check one below)

☐ SMETA 2 PILLAR                                   ☐ SMETA 4 PILLAR

Please check what best describes your company’s position regarding compliance.

☐ Fully meets                                    ☐ Partially meets                                ☐ Does not meet

 

 

 

Signed:

 

(Signatory to be qualified technical employee or Officer of the Company only please.)

Name:

 

Title:

 

Date:

 

 

[SHQuality]

That would be part of your supplier approval process: asking the right questions, the occasional audit and checking their certifications and SMETA registrations.

[GMO]

 

Do I have to ensure our suppliers Management, Finance, Purchasing and Logistics teams are aware of the ETI Base Code for us to fully meet compliance? 

 

 

Yes. It's a pretty reasonable thing to ask. Purchasing decide who you buy from, finance and logistics might spot if you're buying from someone new. Your supplier management will know if they're ETI base code compliant or not.

 

 

 How would I know each of my supplier is compliant to be able to call ourselves compliant? 

 

 

Two ideas. Firstly, build it into contracts. (First it might already be there so check.) If it's not already built in you will need to going forward and inform your suppliers that they need to be complaint and confirm by "x" date. Your procurement team will need to be involved in this. In the meantime, I'd recommend doing some spot audits (even if they're only remote ones) for due diligence unless they already have an ethical audit they will share with you. Ethical gaps are common in my experience.

 

A better idea IMO is to use a company like SEDEX or similar to do SMETA audits on you and insist your supply chain do the same. You can then link to your suppliers on the SEDEX platform. That will take longer but it's more robust.

 

Lastly and just to pull out the pin and chuck in the grenade... Is this your job? Just thought I'd ask. Ethical auditing might have "audit" in there but doesn't make it technical. In fact it has more in common with HR and EHS / H&S than Technical. Not saying you shouldn't support it but the reality is most sites end up with Technical taking this on because nobody else wants to and sometimes customer technical teams look after it as well, so if you fail it's pain coming your way. But if you do take it on make sure that you have support. I've had A LOT of pain in plants where HR and H&S do not see it as their concern and trust me that is awful.