Our ethical business
Collaboration is an essential element of all aspects of sustainable development, but it holds a special place in building a sustainable value chain. We aim to grow based on ethical principles of cooperation, partnering with businesses that share our values and beliefs. Our priority is not only compliance with regulatory requirements. We have also made a number of commitments that reflect our ambitions and respond to market changes, development trends, and consumer expectations.
To fully engage business partners in implementing our mission of building a responsible and ethical supply chain, we have introduced the Code of Conduct for Business Partners and the Human Rights Policy for Business Partners, which provide detailed guidance complemented by our other policies. We believe that through collaboration based on these documents, ongoing dialogue, and the exchange of experiences with our suppliers, we can create value together and build a responsible business.
Our goals and ambitions
100% of business partners familiarised with the Code of Conduct
Our ambition in this area is to engage all our Business Partners in adhering to the Code of Conduct for Business Partners and jointly achieving the goals outlined in our policies.
Our activities
Independent assessments and ethical audits strengthen our business relationships
At Żabka, we care about monitoring the supply chain and assessing the risks associated with sustainable development and supplier performance. Independent ethical assessments and audits, which our suppliers can undergo, are particularly helpful in this regard.
There are many companies in the market that conduct comprehensive assessments and audits, employing qualified experts and auditors, such as SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek, and TÜV Rheinland. These are independent organizations, and Żabka does not interfere in the assessment or audit process in any way, neither in the process of developing assessment tools and the selection of the auditor nor during the writing of the audit report. Currently, the leading global standards for ethical audits include SMETA (SEDEX Members Ethical Trade Audit), amfori BSCI, and Ecovadis. Each standard has a slightly different methodology, but they are always based on the same pillars: business ethics, human rights, and environmental protection.
Why do we prefer SMETA?
SMETA is one of the world's leading standards for ethical social and environmental audits. At Żabka, guided by responsibility in our daily operations, we approach the topic of a sustainable supply chain with due diligence and rely on proven and reliable tools such as SMETA standard audits.
The SEDEX self-assessment questionnaire and the SMETA audit define a uniform assessment and reporting format, which ensures that the information is meaningful and comparable. The result of the self-assessment and the audit report is published in the SEDEX database, which increases transparency and supports supplier management and risk reduction. The SMETA standard audit is offered by most independent auditing firms in the market, which ensures its availability to our business partners.
Self-assessment and audit help strengthen cooperation
At Żabka, in line with our Responsibility Strategy, we focus on partnership cooperation with our suppliers, so the results of the self-assessment and audit do not determine the end of cooperation with a partner. Detected non-compliances indicate areas where the supplier should work to achieve compliance with the guidelines. Żabka can provide the partner with substantive support to correct non-compliances in the spirit of cooperation and dialogue.
Why do we care about this?
• We take due diligence to ensure respect for ethical, environmental, and human rights standards in the supply chain.
• We can better prevent potential risks in the supply chain and detect them at an early stage.
Why is it worthwhile from the perspective of our suppliers?
• Suppliers increase their competitiveness in the market – conducting ethical business and regularly checking compliance with principles regarding, among others, working conditions and human rights ensures the trust of conscious contractors. The supplier can communicate the results of the self-assessment and audit to all their business partners and post them on their website, which will serve as a showcase of their commitment to ethical business conduct.
• Regular checks on ethical business conduct allow the supplier to detect and mitigate non-compliances, which can carry financial and reputational costs.
What is the SEDEX database?
The SEDEX (Supplier Ethical Data Exchange) database is a global platform for exchanging information on ethically sustainable production in the supply chain. It enables members to support supplier management and reduce risk through information exchange. The platform facilitates the building of ethically responsible business practices.
Why use the SEDEX database?
• Transparency and credibility
SEDEX enables companies to demonstrate compliance with high standards in working conditions, human rights, and the environment. The information is transparent and accessible to potential partners.
• Risk management
By exchanging information in a globally recognized database, companies can better manage risks associated with the supply chain.
• Responsible business practices
SEDEX promotes responsible business practices throughout the value chain, which can contribute to improving the company's image.
What does a sustainable value chain mean to us?
Our policies
Documents, which are fundamental in achieving our mission to build a responsible and ethical supply chain.
Policies that are an expression of our ambitions, responding to market changes, development trends and consumer expectations, which we want to pursue with our business partners.
Sustainable Sourcing Policies for Raw Materials, Goods, and Services
Biodiversity Policy (PDF)
Plastic Circularity Policy (PDF)
Decarbonisation Policy (PDF)
Animal Welfare Policy (PDF)
Ecodesign Policy (PDF)
Policy on Responsible Sourcing of Minerals – Conflict Minerals and Cobalt (PDF)
Food Waste Prevention Policy (PDF)
Transport Policy (PDF)
Water Resources Policy (PDF)
Waste Management Policy (PDF)
Sustainable Palm Oil Policy (PDF)
Policy on Sustainable Sourcing of Plant, Raw Materials and Sustainable Fishing of Fish and Seafood (PDF)
Our progress
We continuously collaborate with our business partners to ensure compliance with the Code of Conduct for as many of them as possible. We provide them with substantive support both before the start of the cooperation, during the signing of contracts and in the pursuit of compliance.
What else can we improve together
