Vodafone Code of Ethical Purchasing
As one of the world's largest telecommunications companies, Vodafone has a significant role to play in enriching people’s lives.
We also understand that we have a significant role to play in managing our business carefully and responsibly, which is why we have adopted a set of core Values and Business Principles to govern our activities and interactions with all our stakeholders across the world, including our suppliers
Our Business Principles declare a commitment "to promote the application of our Business Principles by our business partners and suppliers".
The following Code of Ethical Purchasing is to be read in conjunction with our Business Principles, and is designed to promote safe and fair working conditions and the responsible management of environmental and social issues in Vodafone’s supply chain.
The Code has been developed in consultation with employees, suppliers, investors and Non-Governmental Organisations. It sets out the standards we wish to see achieved by Vodafone and our suppliers over time.
The principle of continuous improvement applies to all aspects of the Code.
In accordance with the implementation provisions of the Code, and as a condition of trading, Vodafone will require first level suppliers to acknowledge their understanding and acceptance of its standards and to confirm that they will comply.
Vodafone will work collaboratively with our suppliers on the implementation of the Code, which may include joint audits and site visits to assess and continuously review performance.
Vodafone will publicly report on the implementation of, and compliance with, the Code.
Vodafone will encourage all suppliers to implement the standards of our Code across their whole business and within their own supply chains.
The Code of Ethical Purchasing is accompanied by a Guidance Note, which provides more definition, examples and information to support its requirements. References contained in the Guidance Note are denoted in the text of the Code by an abbreviation, such as "[GN1]". Both documents are to be to read in conjunction with one another.
Implementation of the Code
Ownership
- Both Directors and their respective supplier management leads at both Global and Operating Company level have operational responsibility for the implementation of the Code.
- The Vodafone Global Supply Chain Management and Global Terminals Directors jointly own the Vodafone Code of Ethical Purchasing.
Code of Ethical Purchasing
Child Labour
- No person is employed who is below the minimum legal age for employment [GN3].
- Children (persons under 18 years) are not employed for any hazardous or night work, or work that is inconsistent with the child’s personal development [GN4].
- Where a child is employed, the best interests of the child shall be the primary consideration.
- Policies and programmes that assist any child found to be performing child labour are contributed to, supported, or developed.
Guidance Note
This Guidance Note accompanies Vodafone’s Code of Ethical Purchasing and is designed to provide further definition, examples and information in support of the Code’s requirements. The Guidance Note will be reviewed on a regular basis and, where necessary, updated to reflect developments in ethical supply chain management and industry best practice. Reference numbers, such as “GN1”, appear in the main text of the Code and correspond to the notes below, under their respective headings.
References
The Vodafone's Code of Ethical purchasing is based on the following International Standards:
- The UN Universal Decclaraton of Human Rights;
- The Conventions of the International Labour Organisation;
- The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
