Responsible Sourcing & Sustainable Supply Chain

Every supply chain choice or buying decision has an impact on the wider community and environment. Our resilient supply chain supports us to deliver best-in-class food and services for our clients. Working closely with our trusted supply chain also enables us to introduce innovation to our clients and consumers.

Building a sustainable supply chain

Engaging suppliers

Setting higher standards for key suppliers sets us apart and delivers meaningful benefits to our clients. 35% of our key suppliers in high risk categories will have verified advanced sustainability performance by 2028. This could be an EcoVadis score of 65 or higher or meet equivalent standards such as a Sa8000 certification, BSCI compliance, SMETA audit or WCA audit.

Ensuring supplier standards

Our Supplier Code of Conduct maintains high-quality products and services for our clients and consumers. It also ensures the health, well-being, nutrition and safety of everyone across the value chain. Suppliers receive support from us and we complete regular checks, tests and supplier compliance audits to ensure compliance and industry standards.

Read our Supplier Code of Conduct

Promoting inclusive sourcing

Inclusive sourcing supports not only underrepresented suppliers but also the workers they employ. Inclusive sourcing ensures that small and medium enterprises (SMEs), suppliers run by women and those with a minority background are included in the supplier list. These suppliers are the backbone of their local communities, providing local jobs and generating growth.

Read our Impact Sourcing Report

spend with Supplier Code of Conduct compliant suppliers in FY25.
€
spent with 30,000 SMEs across 34 countries in FY25.
AUD
spent with Indigenous-owned businesses (Sodexo Australia)

About EcoVadis

EcoVadis is a collaborative platform used to evaluate sustainability performance within businesses. An EcoVadis score of 65 is seen as "Good" to "Advanced." This score puts a company in the top 5-15% of rated businesses. This means the organization has strong sustainability practices across the areas of environment, labor & human rights, ethics and sustainable procurement.

Partnerships and programs supporting suppliers:

Deforestation-free supply chain
We are committed to peatland preservation. We will remove deforestation and conversion from our global supply chain by 2030, focusing on palm oil, paper, soy, and beef.
Science Based Targets Network (SBTN)
The SBTN corporate engagement program provides guidance to participating companies on having a positive impact. The program balances science with what is possible and includes freshwater, land, biodiversity and oceans.
Global Coalition for Animal Welfare
As a founding member of the Global Coalition for Animal Welfare (GCAW), we work to improve animal welfare standards. This involves removing systemic barriers to improve breeding, transportation and slaughter conditions.
Learn more
Supply chain mentoring programs
Mentoring programs help SME and minority-owned suppliers to navigate the business operations and procurement process. Our supplier diversity programs include the UK Supply Chain Inclusion Programme and Impact+ in France.
Learn more
Advocacy groups
Partnering with local organizations and advocacy groups help us to empower women owned suppliers. For example, working with WEConnect to women-owned suppliers with training and certifications.

Responsible sourcing and Supply Chain FAQ:

Responsible supply chains are becoming a competitive advantage because they help organizations manage risk, build trust, and improve long-term business resilience. Responsible sourcing means considering environmental, social, ethical, and operational factors when selecting and managing suppliers.
Customers, investors, regulators, and employees increasingly expect businesses to understand how products, materials, and services are sourced. Clear supplier standards, better transparency, and stronger procurement governance can support brand reputation, service quality, and more reliable supply chain performance.
Responsible sourcing strengthens supply chain resilience by improving supplier visibility, supplier relationships, and risk management. It helps organizations identify weak points in the supply chain before they cause disruption.
Supplier risk assessments, ongoing monitoring, and data-led decision-making can reveal issues linked to climate risk, geopolitical uncertainty, resource constraints, or supplier performance. When organizations work collaboratively with suppliers, they are better prepared to maintain continuity, adapt sourcing strategies, and protect operational performance.
Organizations can improve supply chain transparency by gaining clearer visibility into where goods, materials, and services come from and how suppliers operate. Supply chain sustainability improves when suppliers follow consistent environmental, social, and ethical standards.
Responsible sourcing policies, supplier engagement, traceability tools, and digital reporting can help organizations monitor supplier performance. These practices support better decisions on resource efficiency, carbon emissions, human rights, and responsible business conduct across the supply chain.
Responsible sourcing reduces business risk by improving supplier governance, due diligence, and early identification of environmental, social, ethical, and operational risks. It helps organizations avoid disruption, reputational harm, and inconsistent supplier performance.
It also creates long-term value by aligning procurement decisions with sustainability and business goals. Strong supplier collaboration can improve efficiency, service quality, resilience, and trust with stakeholders while supporting more responsible growth.
Supply chain expectations are moving beyond cost, quality, and availability. Global businesses are now expected to show stronger resilience, transparency, sustainability, ethical sourcing, and supplier governance.
This shift is being shaped by stakeholder expectations, regulation, reporting requirements, and climate-related risks. Many organizations are using supplier data, responsible sourcing policies, and collaborative supplier management to understand impacts, reduce risk, and support sustainable business performance.

Responsible sourcing from a trusted supply chain

Building a sustainable supply chain

Engaging suppliers

Ensuring supplier standards

Promoting inclusive sourcing

About EcoVadis

Partnerships and programs supporting suppliers:

Deforestation-free supply chain

Science Based Targets Network (SBTN)

Global Coalition for Animal Welfare

Supply chain mentoring programs

Advocacy groups

Responsible sourcing and Supply Chain FAQ:

Why are responsible supply chains becoming a competitive advantage?

How can responsible sourcing strengthen supply chain resilience?

How can organizations improve supply chain transparency and sustainability?

How can responsible sourcing reduce business risk while creating long-term value?

How are supply chain expectations changing for global businesses?