Ramping up responsible sourcing initiatives
In its drive to set an example, Rémy Cointreau encourages, embodies and disseminates sustainable practices within its ecosystem.
In keeping with SDG 8 and in an effort to improve transparency and ethics in its business practices, Rémy Cointreau now explicitly requests its suppliers to join SEDEX (Supplier Ethical Data Exchange), an international organisation that aims to encourage ethical and responsible business practices in global supply chains. This provides the Group with an overview of supplier practices – in terms of working standards, hygiene, safety, and even commercial ethics.
To help achieve this goal, regular discussions are held with suppliers throughout the year to present the Group’s CSR policy, especially in the area of responsible sourcing.
Two new indicators reflecting the roll-out of SEDEX among suppliers were also created this year to report on their commitments in greater detail. This year, a specific communication presenting the Group’s CSR policy on responsible sourcing was mailed to all suppliers. In addition, in order to have a more detailed view of the CSR policies of suppliers, including second-tier suppliers, two new indicators were created to represent their SEDEX commitments.
The self-assessment questionnaire allows SEDEX member suppliers to share information on their business with their customers by answering a series of comprehensive questions tailored to different types of businesses.
This first use of SEDEX data makes it possible to map potential CSR risks among suppliers in greater detail. These risks are nevertheless identified based on self-reporting questionnaires only, as not all suppliers have necessarily been subject to a CSR audit.
After a first audit conducted in 2019/2020 at a packaging supplier to test the approach, 11 new supplier audits were carried out this year. The audits involved suppliers of packaging materials and agricultural raw materials as part of the "Sustainable Agriculture" project.
In its drive to set an example, Rémy Cointreau encourages, embodies and disseminates sustainable practices within its ecosystem.
