Ethical Purchasing - What does it mean for you, our suppliers?
Oxfam recognises that globalisation of trade means that more and more of the goods and services we buy are at risk of being produced by workers in unregulated environments. Our mission is to work with others to provide lasting solutions to poverty and suffering. Promoting internationally recognised human rights, which include labour rights, is at the heart of the work we do.
This is to introduce you, our suppliers, to the ethical dimension in supplier relationships. Oxfam buys a wide range of goods and services; equipment for humanitarian and development programmes, materials used in fund-raising and communications, products for sale in Oxfam shops and other outlets; including homewares, gifts, and food products from producers in Oxfam partner countries, which are selected and monitored against Oxfam’s Fair Trade principles; shop and office supplies and services of various kinds.
Oxfam’s Ethical Purchasing Policy states that Oxfam will strive to:
- purchase goods and services which are produced and delivered under conditions that do not involve the abuse or exploitation of any persons
- have the least negative impact on the environment
This policy statement is supported by a Code of Conduct for suppliers:
- Employment is freely chosen
- Freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining are respected
- Working conditions are safe and hygienic
- Living wages are paid
- Working hours are not excessive
- No discrimination is practiced
- Regular employment is provided
- No harsh or inhumane treatment is allowed
Oxfam has been at the forefront of campaigning for and promoting Ethical Trade. In 1996, Oxfam launched the Clothes Code Campaign. This was successful in encouraging a number of UK clothing retailers to implement Codes of Conduct on labour standards throughout their supply chains and to back them up with effective monitoring. Oxfam believes that the companies we buy goods and services from should take a similar responsibility. That’s why compliance with our Code of Conduct, within a reasonable length of time, is a consideration in all supplier relationships.
At Oxfam we believe we have responsibilities to all of our stakeholders – staff, volunteers, donors, and the people who ultimately benefit from our activities. So we need to ensure that all our resources are used effectively and appropriately– and that includes the money we pay to you. We also recognize that our approach must be realistic and manageable for you as well as for us. Achieving significant results means working in co-operation with you.
What we ask is that you:
- demonstrate commitment at Director level to: continuous improvement in your own company, towards compliance with the Code of Conduct and in the identification of risks within your supply chain
- work with your suppliers so that they do the same preferably by adopting a Code of Conduct
- report progress annually e.g. by completing our supplier questionnaire
- In return, you can expect guidance and support in implementing the Code
By adopting an Ethical
Purchasing Policy, Oxfam is setting a positive example for the wider business community.
This initiative is supported by: Catholic Fund for Overseas, Development (CAFOD), Children’s Aid Direct (CAD), Save the Children Fund(SCF), Christian Aid (CA),GOAL, Medical Emergency Relief International(MERLIN), Tearfund and Concern. The Department for International Development has shown an active interest in this initiative and has been an active observer of the working group.
For further information contact:
Rachel Wilshaw
Ethical Purchasing Manager
Tel: 01865 313636
E-mail: rwilshaw@oxfam.org.uk
