3 CSR criteria for choosing YOUR supplier
CONTENTS
1. Social responsibility: a criterion for choosing a supplier
3. 3 criteria to consider when choosing a supplier
Human capital
Ethics
Environmental impact
Conclusion: act now to stay competitive
Article abstract:
- CSR is becoming a decisive criterion for selecting partners, with structured assessments via certification and platforms such as EcoVadis, CDP and Great Place to Work.
- Three key areas guide supplier selection: human capital (rights, inclusion, health and safety), ethics (anti-corruption, transparency, GDPR) and environmental impact (eco-design, resource reduction, circular economy, local purchasing).
- Invitations to tender incorporating CSR criteria and consultation of the CSR report and code of conduct ensure a reliable selection process, adapted to French/European requirements.
social responsibility: a criterion for choosing a supplier
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is becoming increasingly important, and could well become the primary criterion for choosing partners in the near future.
Increasingly, the CSR performance of companies is under the microscope for business purposes, and by all organizations.
Standards and labels have been created to monitor, measure and evaluate suppliers.
Here are just a few examples:
- ECOVADIS (CSR performance evaluation platform)
- CDP (organization for measuring the ecological footprint and impact of various emissions)
- GREAT PLACE TO WORK® (certification that measures employee experience and ranks companies as “good places to work”)
In the absence of a CSR certification, there are broad guidelines and behaviors to adopt to ensure vigilance and a viable business relationship.
CSR policy also includes a responsible purchasing policy, with CSR criteria defined directly in calls for tender. Before going into detail, let’s take a moment to define the term CSR.
What exactly is CSR?
Corporate Societal Responsibility (CSR), also known as Corporate Social Responsibility, is defined by the European Commission as the voluntary integration by companies of social and environmental concerns into their business activities and their relationships with stakeholders.
In simple terms, it’s the contribution of companies (of all sizes) to the challenges of sustainable development.
Companies are seeking to have a positive impact on society, while remaining economically viable. CSR becomes an asset for business development and contributes to the company’s overall performance.
3 criteria to consider when choosing a supplier
CSR is based on 3 pillars: the social pillar, the environmental pillar and the economic pillar. But what are the real concepts behind these 3 pillars? In fact, there are a multitude of aspects to take into account, and each may be of different interest to different companies.
In this article, we will detail 3 criteria that we feel are important to take into account when building trusting relationships and a reliable partnership.
HUMAN CAPITAL
One of the most important criteria to consider.
Equality, inclusion, diversity, well-being… are words that are familiar to the general public. But the slogan “More than words, actions” takes on its full meaning when it comes to putting these values into practice:
- Respect for human and labor rights
- Working conditions: well-being, health and safety
- Non-discrimination, gender parity, commitment to inclusion, employment of people with disabilities
ETHICS
What do we really mean by ethics? It encompasses terms such as morality, fairness, transparency and respect for rights and duties. Here is a list of items to consider:
- anti-corruption
- Fair practices
- Competition law compliance
- RGPD or the protection of personal data
- Information security
- Transparency
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Because the environment is everyone’s business, working with a company that takes these factors into account is essential, and will even become natural in the years to come.
- Reducing consumption (materials, water, energy, greenhouse gases, etc.)
- Circular economy and eco-design
- Innovation through materials
- Recycling materials at end-of-life
- Substantiating environmental claims
- Local procurement (local suppliers)
To help you choose your partner, take the time to read their CSR report and/or code of conduct. This will show you the supplier’s commitment and concrete examples of how CSR criteria are put into practice.
Conclusion: CSR, a decisive criterion for enlightened partnerships
Corporate Social Responsibility is becoming a strategic lever for responsible purchasing, controlled risk management and sustainable value creation, in line with the expectations of French and European markets. By combining evaluation by recognized benchmarks (EcoVadis, CDP, Great Place to Work) and concrete requirements in calls for tender, you can guarantee partners aligned with the pillars of human capital, ethics and the environment. This approach promotes compliance (notably RGPD), the credibility of environmental claims, short circuits and the circular economy, while strengthening overall performance and brand image.
