News

Givaudan to source 90% of raw materials responsibly by 2020

6 Nov 2017

Following the introduction of its Responsible Sourcing Policy in 2016, Givaudan has announced that 90% of its raw materials volume of natural origin will be responsibly sourced by 2020.

Givaudan has announced that 90% of its raw materials volume of natural origin will be responsibly sourced by 2020.

The company said it considers as responsibly sourced all raw materials of natural origin whose supply chains have no gaps identified against its Responsible Sourcing Policy, or for which improvement plans are in place.

In 2016, Givaudan introduced a Responsible Sourcing Policy that it says sets high standards for health and safety, environmental, business integrity and social practices. Claimed to be an industry first, the policy was defined in consultation with stakeholders including the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), the International Trade Center (ITC), the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative (SAI) and The Forest Trust (TFT).

“Givaudan is committed to working with suppliers with strong business ethics, who demonstrate respect for people and the environment,” said Willem Mutsaerts, Head of Global Procurement and Sustainability. “Our Responsible Sourcing programme is the blueprint for how we will work with our partners and suppliers to protect fragile natural sources and lead supply chain transparency in the flavour and fragrance industry.”

The Responsible Sourcing programme is a major undertaking for Givaudan, the company says, as it sources over 10,000 raw materials from all over the world for the creation of flavours and fragrances.

“We continue to work with our first-tier suppliers to ensure their sites have been successfully audited according to SMETA or equivalent protocol,” said Johannes Rogaar, Head of Global Procurement Excellence and Responsible Sourcing. “For key raw materials of natural origin, we are going further by creating supply chain transparency, collecting information on intermediary suppliers up to the farm level, and initiating valuable improvements where needed.”

In parallel, Givaudan announced its membership of TFT, The Forest Trust, a global non-profit organisation focused on transforming supply chains for the benefit of nature and people. TFT is supporting Givaudan in implementing its Responsible Sourcing programme through supply chain assessments and, where needed, co-designing innovative solutions with supply chain partners that create value for all.