Responsible procurement – CSR in the Supply Chain
All of Vantiva’s Human Rights principles apply to our supply chain, and are monitored through a Supplier Ethics and Social Responsibility program or as part of the compliance activities aligned with Vantiva’s membership in the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA).
Vantiva requires its suppliers and sub-contractors to actively support its CSR Principles; to comply with the legal requirements and standards of their service or industry as applicable under the national law of the countries in which they operate; and to ensure the compliance of their components and products with specific legal requirements applicable in the countries where their products are being sold.
Vantiva Supplier Responsibility Program
Since 2003, Vantiva sourcing management:
- determines when CSR audits, always performed by Vantiva selected auditors, are required;
- requires all suppliers to sign the General Rules of Conduct Compliance Certificate;
- periodically reviews all suppliers according to the Vantiva Suppliers Responsibility program requirements.
The Vantiva Supplier Responsibility program:
- ensures that Vantiva suppliers respect our established policies and program requirements;
- promotes economic and social welfare through the improvement of living standards and support for non-discriminatory employment practices.
Vantiva actively seeks suppliers with similar interests and ethics commitments, and they are expected to adhere to these basic principles:
- tolerate no discrimination and encourage diversity;
- promote best working conditions;
- use no child labor or forced labor or involuntary labor;
- protect worker health and safety;
- respect the environment;
- support worker development;
- respect fair market competition;
- strive to be a good corporate citizen wherever Vantiva operates;
- prevent and avoid all forms of bribery, corruption, or other unfair and unlawful action;
- respect consumer and personal privacy;
- avoid potential conflicts of interests.
Responsible Business Alliance (RBA)
During 2016, Vantiva completed the implementation of the Code of Conduct for the Responsible Business Alliance under its Applicant Member status and reached the status of Member in 2017.
RBA is a non-profit coalition of electronics companies committed to supporting the rights and well-being of workers and communities worldwide affected by the global electronics supply chain. RBA members are held accountable to a common Code of Conduct and support continuous improvement in the social, environmental and ethical responsibility of their supply chains.
Our adoption of the RBA Code and its principles reflects Vantiva’s long-term commitment to transparently improve its sustainability regarding operations, supply chain, and sub-contracting in the Electronics manufacturing and ICT sector.
Supplier Audits
Through audits and other methods, Vantiva shares its expectations that suppliers and their subcontractors provide safe and healthy working conditions for their employees; abide by human rights laws and standards; and strive for continual improvement in their environmental management systems, processes and products.
During the audit process:
- instances of child labor are classified as “critical,” resulting in an immediate stoppage of business.
- Employee discrimination, forced labor, safety violations, permanent disabilities or fatal injuries are classified as “major,” and require immediate corrective action.
The Vantiva Supplier Responsibility Program applies to all new and current suppliers. Those in countries with a relatively high potential for adverse human rights issues are categorized as “high risk.”
Additionally, the RBA may perform on-site audits, with an intense focus on Human Rights. As a member of the RBA, the Group is committed to ensure that minerals contained in its products are sourced with due respect to Human Rights in the supply chain. Vantiva has also implemented a process to track information about its suppliers and identify relevant chemical substances in its products to ensure that banned substances are not included.
Conflict Minerals
Vantiva, like many other companies, is aware that electronic products and components purchased from suppliers may contain certain minerals originating from conflict-affected countries, specifically Tantalum, Tin, Tungsten, and Gold (“3TG Conflict Minerals”).
To ensure that minerals contained in its products are sourced with due respect to Human Rights, the Group has implemented a due diligence process. Suppliers are asked to conduct investigations in their own supply chain, to determine the origin of the 3TGs conflict minerals provided to Vantiva, and to avoid directly or indirectly any use of 3TG minerals originated from conflict-affected countries.
In 2016, our commitment was confirmed by a Vantiva public statement on Conflict Minerals, updated in 2020 and available on our website, along with other Vantiva statements on compliance with anti-human trafficking laws.