Our Suppliers
We are committed to sustainable procurement.
We believe that our commitment to sustainability needs to be reflected in our procurement practices. Therefore, we expect our suppliers to comply with ethical standards of conduct towards employees, society and the environment, and establish adequate standards.
Global Supplier Code of Conduct
We have defined global standards which are applicable to our worldwide supply chain. These standards are set out in our Supplier Code of Conduct.
Our Supplier Code of Conduct includes the following six key principles:
| Integrity and Ethics | Suppliers are expected to act with integrity and to conduct their business in an ethically responsible manner. |
| Human Rights and Labor Conditions | Suppliers shall seek to provide a safe, fair, respectful, and non-discriminatory working environment to all its workers and contractors. |
| Occupational Health and Safety | Suppliers have to provide a safe, secure, hygienic and healthy working environment. We expect our suppliers to take all necessary precautions to avoid injury or harm. |
| Environment | Suppliers shall make their best efforts to minimize the adverse impacts of their activities on the environment and to control and eliminate any significant environmental risks. |
| Quality | Suppliers shall strive to uphold high quality standards and ensure the protection of their products from unauthorized third parties. |
| Governance and Management Systems | Suppliers shall be committed to fulfill ethical principles, maintain necessary documentation to confirm that, set improvement objectives and evaluate risks in all areas related to business ethics. |
The Supplier Code of Conduct is part of the contracts between Fresenius Medical Care and its suppliers and sets out principles, which serve as minimum requirements our suppliers must adhere to.
Inspired by international standards such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Labour Organization’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (ILO declaration), the UN Global Compact, and the EU Green Public Procurement Guidelines, the Supplier Code of Conduct represents our understanding of sustainability in the supply chain.
Disclaimer
The Fresenius Medical Care Supplier Code of Conduct is available in multiple languages for convenience and reference purposes. Please note that the English version is the original version and shall prevail in case of conflict.
Monitoring and evaluating the sustainability performance of our suppliers
Forward-looking planning and long-term partnerships with strategic suppliers are key to ensure the reliable supply of raw materials for production and service. To identify, assess, and mitigate procurement-related risks in our supply chain, our Global Procurement department for our production has developed a risk management solution which monitors supplier- and country-related aspects of compliance and sustainability, such as anti-bribery and corruption, labor practices and human rights, environmental protection, and conflict minerals. Thanks to this risk management process, we were among the finalists in the Procurement Leaders World Procurement Award for Risk Management in 2019.
To evaluate the sustainability performance of our suppliers, we may ask them to self-assess their compliance with our Global Supplier Code of Conduct. To obtain an objective evaluation of the supplier’s processes, we may also request a third-party assessment as well as documented evidence to confirm compliance with the Supplier Code of Conduct. Furthermore, Fresenius Medical Care is entitled to conduct on-site inspections to verify the information provided.
Sourcing of mineral raw materials
Sourcing of mineral raw materials is a further important aspect of our commitment towards sustainable procurement.
As the leading manufacturer and provider of dialysis equipment and services, with shares listed on the New York Stock Exchange, we are subject to the provisions of Section 1502 of the U.S. Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Dodd-Frank Act) relating to “Conflict Minerals”. As outlined in our Conflict Minerals Policy (see below), we adopt standards in line with the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (“OECD”) Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas.
We are committed to compliance with Section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Act and encourage our suppliers to foster similar commitments of their supply chain related to conflict minerals disclosures. Suppliers who are non-compliant with our Conflict Minerals Policy are reviewed for continued business.
