Page 24 Supplier relationships


Our supplier assessment programme


(Cyclical flow chart:
First quarter, links to...
Second Quarter, links to ...
Third Quarter, links to...
Fourth quarter, links back to...
First quarter)


1st Quarter
> Whole supply base to update their information on Sedex
> Risk assessment of supply sites
New suppliers review and agree to adhere to the John Lewis Partnership Responsible Sourcing Code of Practice, register and complete information requirements on Sedex

2nd Quarter
> High-priority sites to provide results of an independent ethical audit as appropriate (dependent on seasonality of production)
> Ongoing management of non-compliances

3rd Quarter
> High-priority sites to provide results of an independent ethical audit as appropriate (dependent on seasonality of production)
> Ongoing management of non-compliances
> Whole supply base to update information on Sedex prior to risk assessment
New suppliers review and agree to adhere to the John Lewis Partnership Responsible Sourcing Code of Practice, register and complete information requirements on Sedex

4th Quarter
> Any remaining seasonal audits
> Focus on closing off outstanding non-compliances
> Measuring progress for public reporting
(also in the centre of the flow chart:)
Supplier support and assistance:
> Email and telephone helpdesks
> Supplier conferences
> Responsible Sourcing Supplier workbook
> Responsible Sourcing e-learning tool
(End of flow chart description)


Helping suppliers to comply
Our aim is to encourage our suppliers to be honest about the issues they face and share best practice so that we can work together to make realistic, long-term improvements.

Waitrose continues to use Sedex, the largest global database of labour standards, to enable our suppliers to self-assess their labour standards and workplace practices against the expectations set out in our Code of Practice. Sedex now covers 22,000 sites of employment in more than 143 countries, and through its members' online database, we can access over 240 ethical audit reports – many more than we commission – which helps to avoid duplication of effort and minimises 'audit fatigue'. All Waitrose Foundation farms are now independently audited as part of the supplier assessment programme (see page 26).

We have recently agreed to extend our Responsible Sourcing programme to include non-food merchandise. In December 2007, we began discussions with key suppliers for business clothing and consumer packaging. Two suppliers have already agreed to work with Waitrose to share information; they have since registered on Sedex and are in the process of completing self-assessments for all Waitrose production facilities.

As part of the ongoing development of its self-assessment questionnaire, Sedex has introduced new sections on business integrity (focusing on bribery and corruption) and the environment. In January 2008, a number of Waitrose suppliers helped to develop questions on managing environmental impact. These questions are now available on Sedex to all members, while a risk-assessment scoring mechanism for them is expected later this year.


941 Sites registered on Sedex supplying Waitrose own-label products

250,000 People working on Sedex-registered sites of employment, supplying Waitrose own-label products


Licensing gangmasters
Waitrose co-founded the Temporary Labour Working Group to establish voluntary standards on wages, hours and conditions in the UK food industry. These standards shaped the Gangmasters Licensing Act, which regulates the agricultural temporary labour market by making it illegal to be or use an unlicensed provider of agricultural or food processing labour. To date, more than 1,200 agencies, labour providers and 'gangmasters' have been inspected and licensed by the Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA), and 70 licences have been revoked.

By working closely with the GLA to gather comprehensive information for suppliers on their legal requirements, retailers' expectations and agency labour best practice, major food retailers, including Waitrose, are helping to combat worker exploitation, raise awareness and reduce the number of illegal labour providers in the UK.