Montréal, 2017-Feb-22 — /EPR Retail News/ — Today, METRO announced the adoption of its Responsible Procurement Framework and Supplier Code of Conduct for responsible procurement. These new initiatives will enable METRO to provide its customers with the responsible products they are looking for and to communicate its expectations and requirements to their suppliers to better meet the challenges in its supply chain. These documents bring structure to policies that have already been implemented in this area, such as our sustainable fisheries and local purchasing policies.
The Responsible Procurement Framework will first apply to METRO’s food-related activities and will be extended to other sectors in coming years. The Supplier Code of Conduct applies to all of METRO’s goods and services providers, as well as their suppliers, across the supply chain. The Framework and the Code take effect immediately.
“The adoption of a rigorous approach to structure our practices is supplemental to the responsible procurement initiatives we have already implemented. Furthermore, our customers are requesting it. According to a consumer survey we conducted in 2016, 85% of respondents consider it important for a food retailer to make responsible purchases,” stated METRO Senior Vice President, National Procurement and Corporate Brands, Serge Boulanger. “This approach is in line with our vision to become the food retailer that provides the experience that is most adapted to consumer needs.”
The Responsible Procurement Framework and Supplier Code of Conduct were developed according to best practices and recognized standards. They are based on four key principles that build on METRO’s product and service selection criteria, such as price, quality and availability:
– business ethics
– respect for workers and contribution to socioeconomic development
– protection of the environment
- respect for animal health and welfare
Continuous improvement approach
The new Code of Conduct is meant to guide the behaviours that METRO expects from its suppliers and the Responsible Procurement Framework aims to structure purchasing and optimize the implementation of responsible practices. The two initiatives are complementary and constitute the foundation of the company’s responsible procurement approach.
“We are investing considerable effort to ensure the effective implementation of these initiatives, with a view to continuous improvement. In addition to spearheading a major training program for our teams and developing tools to operationalize our directives and principles, we will work in close collaboration with our suppliers, both large and small explained Marie-Claude Bacon, senior director, Corporate Affairs. “METRO is actively seeking to do business with suppliers that share the company’s commitment to corporate responsibility and we are pleased to note that many of our suppliers have already undertaken their own initiatives and several are already leaders in the field.”
About METRO
With annual sales of over $12 billion and over 65,000 employees, METRO INC. is a leader in the food and pharmaceutical distribution in Québec and Ontario, where it operates a network of more than 600 food stores under several banners including Metro, Metro Plus, Super C and Food Basics, as well as over 250 drugstores under the Brunet, Metro Pharmacy and Drug Basics banners.
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Contact:
Geneviève Grégoire
(514) 643-1000, ext. 2055
genevieve.gregoire@metro.ca
Source: METRO Group