We have made sustainability requirements and fulfilling them in relationships with suppliers an integral part of the Siemens-wide training programs for buyers. Moreover, all employees with purchasing responsibility are obliged to take part in web-based training on the subject of “Sustainability in the Supply Chain.”
Requiring our suppliers to adhere to our minimum standards on sustainability is most effective if the suppliers make that pledge themselves from their own convictions. That is why we increasingly focus on building competence among them. For this purpose we also provide free web-based training on the subject of sustainability for suppliers. It provides a comprehensive overview of sustainability requirements and which strategies and controls are necessary to implement to meet them.
Training for suppliers and buyers
In fiscal 2010 we began holding special Sustainability Workshops for suppliers in various countries.
All the requirements on environmental protection and labor standards specified in our Code of Conduct are explained in the workshop in presentations by the local head buyer, compliance experts and environment, health & safety (EHS) experts. Predominantly country-specific and regional topics are examined in more detail in subsequent break-out sessions. Moreover, our buyers are required to set targets and measures aimed at enabling the invited suppliers to develop their competence in the field of sustainability.
We not only inform and train our suppliers but also maintain a constant dialogue with them in order to take in their opinions and ideas. In addition, we work with prestigious universities and research institutions to put the latest scientific knowledge into practice in our operations.
Moreover, we cultivate an active exchange of opinions with various other external stakeholders. For instance, we actively contribute our knowledge of sustainability in the supply chain to the work of leading German and international industry associations.
We acknowledge industry-specific guidelines and supplier and association codes of practice if their requirements match our rules. We examine this in a process that is binding for our company. We currently acknowledge as equal more than one hundred codes of conduct by suppliers and associations.
2011-Feb-23 | Author