Previous initiatives continued
The SFS Corporate Principles and the SFS Code of Conduct are key documents that shape SFS’ sustainability policies and ensure that all its business dealings respect and protect human rights. The Corporate Principles set out our common values, while the Code of Conduct defines the basic rules by which we conduct our business activities. Both documents remain binding. The Code of Conduct is based on robust and effective compliance processes. The contents of our Corporate Principles and Code of Conduct are imparted to all new employees and apprentices through formal instruction or e-learning units when they join the company. Awareness of these themes is part of the basic skillset every SFS employee must have, and this awareness should guide and shape them from the start (→ see
GRI 102-16).
SFS also strives to introduce the Code of Conduct as quickly as possible to all new employees who join SFS Group through acquisition activity. The Code of Conduct is therefore an integral element of every integration process. SFS also demands unconditional respect for basic human rights from its suppliers. When screening potential business partners, this requirement is a mandatory criterion, as it is an integral part of SFS’ general purchasing conditions (→ see
GRI 102-9) and no business is conducted with a supplier that does not sign and comply with them. Our efforts of recent years in the areas of data protection and compliance with international trade regulations were maintained during the year under review. The implementation of legally compliant Group-wide standards at all Group companies was intensified and monitored. Responsibility was transferred to the site managers and those involved in the process at the individual sites were closely supported and trained by Group specialists. SFS observes and promotes the international rule of law by fully complying with all laws and regulations, and by providing its employees and business partners with detailed information about their scope and implications. Thanks to the goods classes activated in the ERP system in 2020, compliance with a temporary export ban on certain hygiene and respiratory protection articles to non-EU countries was quickly ensured from a technical standpoint. In addition, compliance with sanctions lists was further automated and technically simplified at the end of the year, thus facilitating the screening of critical business partners at an early stage.
SFS’ general purchasing conditions were revised in 2020 and emphasis was given to the integration of compliance issues to ensure adherence to applicable laws and regulations throughout the supply chain.
Priorities 2021
After revision of the general purchasing conditions in 2020, the “Supplier Quality Agreement” will be updated in 2021. Compliance and sustainability issues are also an integral part of this standard contract, and this update is intended to ensure compliance with the relevant standards throughout the supply chain.
In order to strengthen awareness of the principles of the Code of Conduct among new employees, this issue will be a prominent component of new further-reaching onboarding courses that we plan for new employees about 100 days after the start of their employment.