- The Group has joined the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA), an association promoting high standards in fields such as human rights, business ethics, environment, health and safety
- Schneider Electric will use RBA methods and tools for its new strategic supplier development programme
MISSISSAUGA, ON, March 9, 2018 /CNW/ - To step up accountability in its supply chain, particularly in terms of the suppliers most exposed to risks such as human rights or environmental issues, Schneider Electric, the leader in digital transformation of energy management and automation, has joined the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA), a non-profit coalition of more than 120 companies from the electronic, retail, automobile and toy industries. The alliance's aim is to promote high standards in human rights, safety and security, environmental protection and business ethics.
A new programme focusing on the suppliers most exposed to risks
Since 2012, Schneider Electric has been assessing its most strategic suppliers with the help of EcoVadis, a specialized company in the responsible sourcing space. This programme evaluates suppliers practices against ISO 26000 standard on corporate social responsibility. To reinforce its commitment to the United Nations SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) and guiding principles on human rights, as well as its own human rights policy, Schneider Electric now introduces a new programme. This new programme first enables to confirm suppliers that are most likely exposed to risks, due to their geographic situation and type of activity. Reflecting the importance of this programme, the number of suppliers having received an on-site audit will be introduced as a new indicator in the 2018-2020 Planet & Society barometer, which measures the group's sustainability performance. This new indicator comes with an ambitious objective of on-site auditing 300 higher-risks sites over the next three years (in addition to remote assessments such as through EcoVadis, and to Suppliers' site due-diligence and continuous improvement interactions with Schneider Electric specialized teams).
Using RBA methods and tools to reach an ambitious objective
To reach this objective, Schneider Electric will use RBA methods and tools. The alliance has excellent credibility and its standards are recognized by organizations highly committed to Corporate Responsibility, including NGOs and companies. Schneider Electric teams will be able to use the Verisk Maplecroft mapping tool, the RBA self-assessment questionnaire and the RBA auditing protocol. In this way, 300 suppliers will be identified for an on-site audit. The Schneider Electric Procurement professionals, internal and external auditors leading the deployment of this programme will be trained specifically to carry out these audits. Demonstrating the company's commitment to supply chain accountability, this new programme will be supervised by Gilles Vermot Desroches, Sustainability Senior Vice President; DK Singh, Chief Procurement Officer, and Xavier Houot, Senior Vice President Group Environment, Safety and Real Estate.
About Schneider Electric
Schneider Electric is leading the Digital Transformation of Energy Management and Automation in Homes, Buildings, Data Centres, Infrastructure and Industries.
With global presence in over 100 countries, Schneider is the undisputable leader in Power Management – Medium Voltage, Low Voltage and Secure Power, and in Automation Systems. We provide integrated efficiency solutions, combining energy, automation and software.
In our global Ecosystem, we collaborate with the largest Partner, Integrator and Developer Community on our Open Platform to deliver real-time control and operational efficiency.
We believe that great people and partners make Schneider a great company and that our commitment to Innovation, Diversity and Sustainability ensures that Life Is On everywhere, for everyone and at every moment.
SOURCE Schneider Electric
StrategicAmpersand (For Schneider Electric Canada), Sachin Persaud/Sarah Lysecki, Tel.: 416-961-5595, [email protected]
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