Nestle is committed to upholding compliance with relevant laws, including environmental, health, and safety requirements throughout our value chain. This includes sourcing practices that align with circular economy principles, waste reduction, greenhouse gas emissions reduction, and decreased plastic usage. We also expect our vendors to demonstrate support for farmers and suppliers in adapting to climate change and ensuring access to water and sanitation as a basic human right.
In terms of health and safety, our vendors are expected to adhere to applicable norms, regulations, and prescriptions. They should continuously improve their safety, health, and quality systems and enforce safe working practices at all times. Proper training, qualification, and authorization must be provided to individuals operating plant and equipment. Vendors are also required to prominently display the Approved Health and Safety Regulations notice.
Nestle expects our vendors to strive for zero recordable injuries and illnesses. We also require them to obtain ISO 45001 certification before site operation and comply with standards and instructions. This includes conducting hazard evaluations, risk analyses, environmental impact assessments, implementing preventive measures, and regularly assessing the effectiveness of their programs and measures. These requirements are mandatory for Nestle vendors to ensure responsible and sustainable practices.
To ensure compliance, we verify alignment and adherence to these requirements through various means for our direct suppliers. These include conducting Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence (HREDD) assessments, site audits by independent firms following Sedex best-practice principles and the SMETA methodology, Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) audits, and completion of the EcoVadis self-assessment questionnaire. We may also require additional means of verification as deemed necessary by Nestle.
