Supply Chain
2008 Objectives
- Expand Socially Responsible Supplier (SRS) database to 325 entries
- 85% of SRS suppliers sign Reed Elsevier Supplier Code of Conduct
- 25 external audits of high risk suppliers
We require our suppliers to meet the same high standards we set for ourselves. Our Supplier Code of Conduct stipulates adherence to all laws and best practice in areas like human rights, labour, and environment. In 2008, we expanded our SRS database to 368 suppliers, 90 of which we deem to be high risk according to guidelines from the OECD and the US State Department. 74% of all suppliers were signatories to the Supplier Code, and specialists ITS conducted 19 external audits of high risk suppliers by year end. Going forward, we are engaging more people within the business to reach a higher Supplier Code return rate; the smaller number of external audits correlates to suppliers who deferred their 2008 audit to first quarter 2009, and a number with whom we ceased to do business.
We provide tools for employees to undertake internal audits when visiting high risk suppliers; nine were completed in 2008. We also provided supplier training to increase reporting on the Reed Elsevier portion of their CO2 emissions and water usage. In addition, our internal audit team reviewed the SRS programme; we will be working to implement their suggestions.
2009 Objectives
- 550 suppliers in SRS master database
- 85% of suppliers sign Reed Elsevier Supplier Code of Conduct
- 40 external audits of high risk suppliers