What we will do in 2008
- Begin the introduction of the Supplier Code to the local suppliers in our current operations in Western Europe (to be completed in 2009)
- Roll out to the local suppliers in Hungary, Bulgaria, Croatia and Macedonia
- Run a pilot in the Africa & Middle East and the Asia Pacific regions
- Continue our regular supplier audits with inclusion of the requirements of the Supplier Code, auditing at least 20 per cent of our suppliers base on an annual basis.
From our experience in 2007, we have learned that local implementation is significantly more complex than we had foreseen. Hence, the original target date for full implementation in all our majority-owned operations (2008) no longer seems realistic. We now believe we will finish implementation in the course of 2010.
We will continue our regular supplier audits with inclusion of the requirements of the Supplier Code.
- Integrate supply chain responsibility in the periodic quality audits and subject at least 20 per cent of group suppliers to a quality audit
- Further integrate supply chain responsibility in the supplier assessment process
- Start the expansion of the Supplier Code to local contracts for raw material, packaging, promotional materials and investment goods from operating companies in our regions of Western Europe, Central & Eastern Europe and Africa & Middle East (to be completed in 2008)
- Define a process for integrating the Supplier Code in goods and services other than those mentioned above (for example, utilities, advertising, maintenance and repair work).