Suppliers

We verify alignment to and compliance with these Requirements using different methods at different tiers of the supply chain. The tools used to assess compliance depend on the supply chain tier and the level of risk. Risk is assessed taking into consideration different criteria, such as the country(ies) of operation and of origin (for materials and ingredients), the level of spending, and the type of goods or service supplied to Nestlé.

The Requirements are an integral part of all of our purchase orders and supply contracts. Through our Responsible Sourcing Tier 1 program, we verify compliance with the Requirements by our direct suppliers either sharing a combination of existing relevant certifications such as ISO 14001, SA8000, FSSC 24000 or ISO 45001 or through them undergoing independent ethical audits carried out by audit firms accredited by Nestlé. These audits follow the SMETA Best Practice Guidance (pdf, 2Mb).

We have also identified priority materials and ingredients that present a higher risk of environmental and/or social issues. In those cases, we work closely with our direct suppliers and other partners to conduct a supply chain mapping and carry out assessments in the upstream supply chain.

Non-compliances identified must be addressed by the relevant entity through a time-bound action plan agreed with Nestlé, which will include prevention, mitigation and remediation actions, as appropriate.

Nestlé may suspend the relationship with the direct supplier or require suspension of the direct supplier’s non-compliant site(s), sub-contractor(s) or sub-tier supplier(s) until an action plan is agreed, or during the execution of the action plan, should the timelines or actions be delayed or not executed as agreed. In case of suspension, the direct supplier, site(s), subcontractor(s) or sub-tier supplier(s) may be allowed to re-enter Nestlé’s supply chain if there is clear evidence that practices have improved to the required level.

In many cases, issues are identified that require long-term, tailored interventions to tackle their root causes. To help address the complex factors that contribute to those issues, we implement complementary frameworks and strategies (e.g. Human Rights Salient Issue Action Plans, Agriculture Framework).

Note: The Nestlé Responsible Sourcing Core Requirements replaces and supersedes the Nestlé Responsible Sourcing Standard adopted in 2018. Any references to the Standard should be considered as references to the Requirements.

• Nestlé Corporate Business Principles (pdf, 4Mb)
• Nestlé Responsible Sourcing Core Requirements (pdf, 2Mb)

Other language versions of the Nestlé Responsible Sourcing Standard are available in Documents and reports.

• Food Fraud Prevention (pdf, 1Mb)
• Microbiological Specifications (pdf, 1Mb)
• Guidance to minimize microbiological risk - Washing produce 2017 (pdf, 2Mb)
• Guidance to minimize microbiological risk - Drying produce 2018 (pdf, 6Mb)
• Guidance to minimize microbiological risk - Steaming of dried produce 2018 (pdf, 3Mb)
• Guide of Chlorate thresholds and limits (xls, 300Kb)

• Minimizing the risk of microbial contamination in primary production of berries - 2016 (pdf, 15Mb)
• Minimizing microbial contamination in primary production of fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices – short version 2018 (pdf, 5Mb)
• Minimizing microbial contamination in primary production of fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices – long version 2018 - part 1 (pdf, 8Mb)
• Minimizing microbial contamination in primary production of fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices – long version 2018 - part 2 (pdf, 12Mb)

• Washing checklist (xls, 150Kb)
• Drying checklist (xls, 150Kb)
• Steaming checklist (xls, 150Kb)