Share ideas that matter on the social web and experience
the benefits of curating the world's best content.
I don't have a Facebook, a Twitter or a LinkedIn account
|
Scooped by EcoVadis onto Sustainable Procurement |
Scoop.it!
EcoVadis wants to highlight a new report from Green Research, a NYC-based corporate sustainability research and advisory firm. The report is based on its annual survey of sustainability executives. It shows "73 percent [of companies] will focus on improving the sustainability performance of their suppliers".
Are you sure you want to delete this scoop?
 Your new post is loading...
Scoop.it!
Retailers and clothing manufacturers have agreed to sign up to the Bangladesh Fire and Safety Act, which it is hoped will improve conditions for workers in the country's garment and textile factories.
EcoVadis's insight:
Will such public private collaborations such as the Bangladesh Fire and Safety Act, a legally-binding agreement, eventually be a first step towards better and safer working conditions in global supply chains? Delete the scoop?
Are you sure you want to delete this scoop?
Yes
Scoop.it!
General Mills, Inc. is focused on increasing the sustainability of 10 priority agricultural raw materials that represent more than 50% of the Minneapolis-based company’s annual purchases. Delete the scoop?
Are you sure you want to delete this scoop?
Yes
Scoop.it!
In a recent issue of ISM's Inside Supply Management, Jonathan Newton, global lead - supply chain sustainability for Ford Motor Company, shared some insights into the way Ford is engaging suppliers generally and specifically in terms of sustainability.
EcoVadis's insight:
This article from Supply Chain Digest details Ford's supply chain engagement measures at tier 1 level. This includes capacity building, a formalized engagement program and industry collaboration. It would be interesting to know further which specific mechanisms the company has in place to assess its suppliers, how many audits are carried out, what is Ford's global CSR risk management approach... Delete the scoop?
Are you sure you want to delete this scoop?
Yes
Scoop.it!
French rail company SNCF spends more than $16 billion annually buying trains, energy and equipment.
EcoVadis's insight:
Glad to see our longtime customer SNCF (French Railways) and Olivier Menuet featured in this Washington Post article Delete the scoop?
Are you sure you want to delete this scoop?
Yes
Scoop.it!
The HP Everyday Paper line in North America is now certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), which makes the company one of the region’s first major office paper providers to offer a complete portfolio of paper that is entirely FSC...
EcoVadis's insight:
An interesting move from HP in line with its global sustainable purchasing commitment. Delete the scoop?
Are you sure you want to delete this scoop?
Yes
Scoop.it!
Unilever's chief procurement officer Marc Engel has promised to be "relentless" in driving the company's efforts to reach its goal of sourcing 100% of raw materials sustainably by 2020. Delete the scoop?
Are you sure you want to delete this scoop?
Yes
Scoop.it!
As discussed in a previous post, the SEC's final Conflict Minerals rule, adopted in August 2012 to implement Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Act, has a number of undefined terms and ambiguous provisions that require difficult interpretations of the rule's applicability. One example is whether the critical term "product" includes packaging.
EcoVadis's insight:
The Conflict Minerals rule still contains some shadow areas and further guidance is needed to cope with this highly complex issue. When? Delete the scoop?
Are you sure you want to delete this scoop?
Yes
Scoop.it!
HP published a list of the 195 smelters that have been identified within its supply chain. This move underscores HP’s leadership toward achieving a conflict-free supply chain by encouraging suppliers to become conflict-free smelter (CFS) certified and urging the entire industry to move toward greater utilization of conflict-free smelters and refiners.
EcoVadis's insight:
Some outstanding transparency efforts from a major OEM towards increased supply chain disclosure.... Delete the scoop?
Are you sure you want to delete this scoop?
Yes
Scoop.it!
EcoVadis's insight:
This article from Sustainable Plant offers a comprehensive view on practices that help mitigate complex CSR risk in the supply chain. Delete the scoop?
Are you sure you want to delete this scoop?
Yes
Scoop.it!
A garment factory building in Bangladesh that collapsed, killing at least 230 people, had been ordered evacuated after deep cracks became visible, but the factories flouted the order and continued working, officials say...
EcoVadis's insight:
Another catastrophic event among a supplier / manufacturer of garment for major Western brands. This really demonstrates failure in assessing complex supply chains and oversight with disastrous consequences. Delete the scoop?
Are you sure you want to delete this scoop?
Yes
Scoop.it!
Most procurement functions are covering the basics of incorporating CSR processes, but this effort is more tactical than strategic.
EcoVadis's insight:
Agreed. "...CSR or sustainability initiatives should be incorporated at the category planning level. This gives you the opportunity to review any CSR issues, risks but also opportunities at each stage of the procurement process, and by category or product." Delete the scoop?
Are you sure you want to delete this scoop?
Yes
Scoop.it!
HP has given direction to its Chinese suppliers that the use of temporary and student workers should be limited and should not be forced.
EcoVadis's insight:
In the wake of Apple's widely publicized supply chain controversies, competitors are jumping in to roll out sustainable procurement strategy in their supply chain in China. As the articles puts it, the demographic reality in China compels factories facing surges in demand to often make an excessive use of temporary labor. 
Riley McCoy's comment,
May 3, 11:12 AM
Due to another failed plan of action by the chinese they are left with an aging population, smaller workforce, and not enough children or young people to care for there elderly parents. They should not have to resort to going to high school students and other underage workers to have to get there products mass produced.
zach Wilz's comment,
May 3, 2:53 PM
I dont think its fair that these kids are being overworked. I think that HP is doing the right thing by cracking down on these young kids working.
Zach Deaton's comment,
May 6, 11:04 AM
This could be a good thing if it's scaled back and kids are given jobs related to their study. It should be a optional "course."
Delete the scoop?
Are you sure you want to delete this scoop?
Yes
Scoop.it!
"Fast-fashion mecca H&M has made public almost all of the company's global suppliers. While the company boasts the move as a step towards transparency, it also seems to be a marketing initiative aimed to build the company's brand." Delete the scoop?
Are you sure you want to delete this scoop?
Yes
|
Scoop.it!
Tackling carbon and investment in alternative energy has helped Verizon's quest for sustainability. But there's no silver bullet, finds Felicity Carus Delete the scoop?
Are you sure you want to delete this scoop?
Yes
Scoop.it!
At the National Confectioners Association’s Sweets & Snacks Expo in Chicago today, Nestlé USA announced that it will source 100% certified, Nestlé Cocoa Plan cocoa beans for the entire line of Nestlé Crunch bars. Delete the scoop?
Are you sure you want to delete this scoop?
Yes
Scoop.it!
Over 5000 children’s products contain toxic chemicals linked to cancer, hormone disruption, and reproductive problems, according to reports filed with the Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology).
EcoVadis's insight:
This reports from the Washington Toxics Coalition is an example of increased public scrutinity over product transparency and chemicals traceability. Delete the scoop?
Are you sure you want to delete this scoop?
Yes
Scoop.it!
Bangladesh Tragedy Reinforces Need for Corporate Action to Ensure Health and Safety in Supply Chains
Today, on International Workers’ Day, an international celebration of the labour movement, the UN Global Compact is urging companies to step up efforts and engage in the fight to improve occupational health and safety standards.
EcoVadis's insight:
An interesting move from the United Global Compact to focus on down-to-earth CSR issues and advocate for the adoption of better health safety standards in the supply chain. This is a little reactive after major incidents such as the one at the Tazreen factory fire and Rana Plaza factory collapse that led to a 800+ death toll (not 400 as mentioned), but welcome. Delete the scoop?
Are you sure you want to delete this scoop?
Yes
Scoop.it!
McDonald's USA, McDonald's Canada, And Their Franchisees to invest Over $6.5M In Agricultural Technical Assistance Program
EcoVadis's insight:
Certified coffee sourcing has become mainstream as shown by the Rainforest Alliance (http://rainforest-alliance.org/newsroom/news/sustainable-coffee-grows), but what about other food raw materials? 
EcoVadis's comment,
April 26, 1:01 PM
Certified coffee sourcing has become mainstream as shown by the Rainforest Alliance (http://rainforest-alliance.org/newsroom/news/sustainable-coffee-grows), but what about other food raw materials?
Delete the scoop?
Are you sure you want to delete this scoop?
Yes
Scoop.it!
In the aftermath of the horsemeat scandal, what can companies do to manage supply chains and put sustainability at the heart of sourcing, asks Katharine Earley
EcoVadis's insight:
Collaboration, communication, engagement, capacity building and dialogue, here are some ingredients that are part of a successfull CSR strategy towards the supply chain. Delete the scoop?
Are you sure you want to delete this scoop?
Yes
Scoop.it!
Mobile device giant Samsung has admitted to using tin sourced from a controversial mining operation on the Indonesian island of Bangka, where unregulated mining kills 150 miners a year and causes substantial environmental damage, reports The Guardian and Mongabay-Indonesia....
EcoVadis's insight:
With ever increasing scrutiny of supply chain from NGOs, third sector and advocacy organizations, it is now crucial for large corporations to proactively develop CSR risks management strategy in worldwide supply chains. Delete the scoop?
Are you sure you want to delete this scoop?
Yes
Scoop.it!
Levi Straus and Co. has used the trend toward sustainability and listening to the voice of its workers to improve supply chain management, according to GreenBiz.com. Levi's new approach involves improving worker well-being by ensuring they have opportunities for economic empowerment, good health, family security, equality, access to education and a safe working environment.
EcoVadis's insight:
News about Levi Strauss & Co.'s recent move towards supplier capacity building and engagement. 
Tim Kitchin's curator insight,
April 26, 1:23 PM
Good to see economic empowerment figuring in here as we strive for greener GROWTH !
EcoVadis's comment,
April 29, 12:49 AM
Thanks for your comment. Indeed, "greener" growth also implies better social and economic conditions in global supply chains, not only environmental impacts as such. Let's hope for better economic and fair retribution for workers as well!
Delete the scoop?
Are you sure you want to delete this scoop?
Yes
Scoop.it!
With time running out until U.S. component manufacturers are legally required to disclose their usage of conflict minerals to the federal government, many companies are woefully unprepared for the new regulations, with more than one-third of firms indicating they haven’t even commenced compliance planning, according to a survey from information and analytics provider IHS (NYSE: IHS).
EcoVadis's insight:
Complying with the requiements of Section 1502 of the Dodd Frank Act implies a range of profound organizational changes with respect to supply chain management. As the survey shows, many companies feel ill-prepared to adopt internal measures to cope with the reporting requirements by by May 2014... Delete the scoop?
Are you sure you want to delete this scoop?
Yes
Scoop.it!
Uzbek human rights activists, political leaders, and prominent dissidents released an open letter today calling on Nike (NYSE: NKE) to stop doing business with Daewoo International, the largest processor of forced labor cotton in Uzbekistan.
EcoVadis's insight:
An interesting example on how of industry peers can put pressure on some large suppliers through advocacy efforts, while others don't... Delete the scoop?
Are you sure you want to delete this scoop?
Yes
Scoop.it!
Walmart's supplier sustainability index is the giant retailer's most important environmental initiative. Here's how it works.
EcoVadis's insight:
Fascinating to watch a company manage this internally. Everyone's watching. Delete the scoop?
Are you sure you want to delete this scoop?
Yes
Scoop.it!
Based on data revealed this week at the Department of Labor's Child Labor Cocoa Coordinating Group (CLCCG), the non-profit groups behind the Raise The Bar, Hershey campaign (Global Exchange, Green America, the International Labor Rights Forum, and Oasis USA) concluded that while many companies have increased their commitments to reducing child labor in the communities they source from, others lag behind, notably Hershey and Barry Callebaut .
EcoVadis's insight:
Despite previous calls for action on Hershey's performance in its cocoa supply chain, concerns remain over its ability to uphold international labor standards, according to a range of advocacy groups. Other cocoa companies have pledged some important commitments to the fight against child labor in West Africa. Delete the scoop?
Are you sure you want to delete this scoop?
Yes
|
