Responsible purchasing practises
Integrating ethical trading into how we purchase goods is key to achieving sustainable supply chains.
At Primark, our ethical trade team works hand in hand with our buyers, providing support on a daily basis, and running dedicated training programmes so that buyers are aware of ethical issues in the countries that our products are sourced from.
Ethical trade, and our Code of Conduct, forms part of every buyer’s job description.
Integrated supply chain reporting
Our Entropy® based database, developed by the British Standards Institute enables our buyers to receive a regularly updated and detailed report of all suppliers and factories producing for their department. The report includes information on each factory’s ethical performance, recent audit results, and any outstanding non-compliance, along with other key sourcing data. Having integrated data allows buyers to make informed sourcing decisions.
Training for buyers
Our dedicated programme provides regular training for buying staff to ensure that they are aware of how their roles relate to ethical trading issues and that they are aware of key issues within the countries and supply chains our products are sourced from. Our training programme includes:
- The Primark Code of Conduct
- How we select our suppliers
- How we support and work with suppliers through audits, consultation and remediation, training and capacity building.
- Our external programmes and partnerships, taking our impact beyond the factory gate.
- Purchasing practices, and how purchasing decisions are integral to sustainable supply chains.
- Key issues in the supply chain such as unauthorised sub-contracting, homeworkers, understanding living wages vs. minimum wages