The Global Compact encourages signatories to engage with their suppliers around the Ten Principles, and thereby to develop more sustainable supply chain practices. However, many companies lack the knowledge or capacity to effectively integrate the principles into their existing supply chain programmes and operations. In particular, a challenge remains to ensure that sustainability considerations are embedded within all sourcing processes.
To assist companies in improving their processes, the Global Compact has provided a platform for identifying and promoting existing material, initiatives and business practices, exploring critical issues and developing guidance on how to integrate the Ten Principles into supply chain management systems.
Because supply chain sustainability is a cross-cutting issue, this work is closely coordinated with the strategy and work done in the four Global Compact issues areas (human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption).
Beginning in February 2013, the Global Compact’s Advisory Group on Supply Chain Sustainability is pleased to announce that it has established a task force focusing on Traceability. The task force aims to help identify common challenges of and solutions to tracing product and raw materials through complex global supply chains.
Headed by Infosys, in collaboration with BSR, the task force mapped existing resources, initiatives and company practices on the topic, drawing together emerging and common themes. This has formed the foundation for the second phase of the initiative: diving deeper into the issues and developing practical guidance for companies seeking improved transparency and traceability in their supply chains.
Global Compact participants are invited to engage in this initiative, including by sharing their experiences, tools and guidelines. To learn more, please contact Anita Househam (househam at un.org).
Global Compact participants are invited to login to the website: “Sustainable Supply Chains: Resources and Practices” and share information about their sustainable supply chain initiatives or activities, including brief examples describing how they are incorporating and promoting sustainability issues and the ten principles in their supply chains. Examples can include how the company is managing supply chain sustainability internally, how the company is engaging with suppliers or in partnerships and collective action initiatives to promote supply chain sustainability. Organizations, companies and special initiatives on this topic that would like to share information about their sustainable supply chain efforts are welcome to submit them to the website. All articles will be reviewed and approved by the UN Global Compact Office and CSR Europe before being published.
Access the website "Sustainable Supply Chains: Resources and Practices".
Please contact Anita Househam (househam at un.org) with questions or suggestions for improving the site.
Anita Househam
UN Global Compact
househam (at) un.org
