Sustainable Procurement Principles

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Sustainable Procurement Principles

1.  How Capgemini will work with it’s suppliers:

We aim to conduct our relationship on the following basis:

A fair and ethical basis.  For example we will:

  • Accept hospitality only to an extent that it cannot be perceived as an inducement - perceived by others to have been influenced in making a business decision as a consequence of accepting hospitality
  • Maintain the highest possible standard of integrity in all business relationships both inside and outside of the company
  • Reject any business practice which might reasonably be deemed improper and never using their authority for personal gain
  • Agree fair business terms & target timely payment

A supplier’s record, action and capability in Sustainability and CSR will be considered as part of the selection, tendering and contracting process. This will be objective and transparent based on a series of questionnaires, and where required dialogues. Our regular contract review process will incorporate performance assessment and we will ensure a supportive approach where feasible for any continuous performance improvements on Sustainability and CSR.

Supplier diversity and equality is encouraged – we aim to ensure that we allow qualified small and minority businesses the opportunity to receive a share of our business.  Our ecosystem approach with major clients aims to foster this and level barrier to entry where practical.

Contractors and supplier staff will be expected to work to the same Sustainability and CSR standards as our own employees.  In tandem, we will treat contractors and suppliers with the same standards for diversity and Health and Safety as our own employees.

Should satisfactory agreement not be reached in areas of high risk where Mandatory Core Principles cannot be met by a supplier in a reasonable period of time, we reserve the right with due notice not to continue business. 

2.  What we expect from our suppliers:

We expect our suppliers to conduct their relationship with us and any of our clients, partners and other suppliers work with us on the following basis:

A fair and ethical basis

Mandatory Core Principles of Sustainability and CSR are embedded in supplier’s management of their own business, and in the downstream supply chain, and that this can be evidenced if required. In particular we will audit to ensure our Core Principles set out overleaf. The broad areas which these cover are:

  • Waste produced by society, manufacturing or by product from extraction – in particular items which do not biodegrade harmlessly
  • Use of scarce or increasingly scarce resources must be reviewed and alternatives over time considered or demand for resources reduced
  • Diversity of nature should not be greatly affected
  • Contribution made to mitigate Climate Change impacts – e.g. reduction of CO2, methane and other contributory factors
  • Social impacts are considered such as enabling employment opportunities, human rights, labour standards, including working hours and child labour and equality & diversity
  • Compliance with local and international laws
  • Ethical behaviours

The Mandatory Core Principles in detail are:

  1. Human rights:  respect for human rights in dealing with supplier stakeholders at large e.g., team members, clients, suppliers, shareholders, communities. Suppliers should support the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and avoid association with equipment that is used in the violation of these rights, such as instruments of torture, or the manufacture or transfer of armaments to oppressive regimes
  2. Compliance with applicable international, national, state and local laws:  we recognise that local customs, traditions and practices may differ, but expect as a minimum that suppliers comply with local, national and international laws, including (but not limited to) all environmental, health and safety and labour laws.  We expect suppliers to also support International Labor Organisation core conventions on labour standards
  3. Forced or compulsory labour:  forced, bonded or compulsory labour shall not be used and employees shall be free to leave their employment after reasonable notice;  employees shall not be required to lodge deposits, money ro papers with their employer
  4. Child Labour:  refusal of use of child labour in the supply chain;
    1. No person should be employed who is below the legal minimum age for employment 
    2. Children (below the age of 18 years) shall not be employed for any hazardous work or work that is inconsistent with their personal development
    3. Where a child is employed, the best interests of the child shall be the primary consideration
    4. Assistance shall be developed or contributed to or  policies developed to assist any child found to be performing child labour
  5. Equality & diversity:  Refusal of unlawful discrimination of any kind in working relations. Promotion of diversity will be expected;  Suppliers should not discriminate in respect of hiring, compensation, access to training, promotion, termination of employment or retirement based upon race, caste, national origin, religion, age, disability, gender, marital status sexual orientation, union membership or political affiliation
  6. Employee wellbeing and development:  Where applicable consideration is given to flexible working conditions to promote balancing of work and life; promotion of training and personal development of team members
  7. Disciplinary practices: Employees are treated with respect and dignity.  Physical or verbal abuse or other harassment and any threats or other forms of intimidation are prohibited
  8. Freedom of association:  As far as relevant laws allow, respect is given for freedom of association
  9. Health and Safety:  A healthy and safe working environment shall be provided for all employees, in accordance with international standards and laws.  This includes ensuring provision of adequate facilities, training and access to safety information.  All applicable EHS policies, procedures and guidelines must be adhered to.  Furthermore, where suppliers work on Capgemini premises, or on behalf of Capgemini for example in respect of use, handling, transport or disposal of hazardous materials, or the disposal of electronic equipment suppliers must confirm that they understand their obligations, have management processes and controls in place and where applicable agree to be fully responsible for any liability resulting from their actions
  10. Confidentiality and Intellectual:  We require our suppliers, contractors and their team members to maintain confidentiality with regard to all information to which they have access, in accordance with applicable laws; we also expect them to protect appropriately all Intellectual Property of Capgemini, our customers, other suppliers and individuals
  11. Refusal of bribery and corruption in business practices
  12. Environmental impacts:  Processes are in place to actively understand any detrimental environmental impacts, and risks and work to reduce impacts and promote environment friendly policies.  Including but not limited to:
    1. Waste and disposal
    2. Improved efficiency with which finite or scarce resources (such as energy, water, raw materials) are used
    3. Diversity of nature impacts
    4. Climate Change - CO2 and methane and other relevant
    5. Other environmental impacts such as noise, water and ground pollution
    6. Appropriate management, operational and technical controls are in place to minimise release of harmful emissions to the environment

We expect suppliers to:

  • Document and report on Sustainability and CSR performance – and where necessary set performance targets and work to meet them, for themselves and downstream supply chain
  • Agree to identify and correct any activities of immediate concern or risk which fall below the principles set out in this document and where relevant work collaboratively with Capgemini in the spirit of continuous improvement
  • Commit to review their compliance to the Capgemini CSR requirements periodically whilst continuing to provide any good and services to Capgemini. Any negative changes to the Suppliers compliance with these CSR Requirements must be notified to Capgemini
  • Capgemini will be conducting periodic surveys, audits and reviews of our suppliers against our CSR requirements. We will expect your company to support Capgemini in any such exercises at no charge to Capgemini.  Suppliers will be asked to provide Capgemini with reasonable access to all relevant information and potentially premises to the purpose of assessing performance.  They will make reasonable endeavours to ensure sub-contractors do the same

We expect our suppliers and contractors to work with us in an open and honest manner to ensure full disclosure and support for the following;

  • Any areas of significant concern or risk regarding Sustainability and CSR, any material breeches or potential for breeches
  • Commitment to ensure all relevant people are aware of these principles and appropriate training and guidelines are in place to support adherence
  • Regular review of these principles as they may change from time to time
  • Dialogue with us on new approaches and techniques to reinforce our joint approach in this area