SRS Terms of Reference

Mission

Reed Elsevier holds suppliers, including pre-press, printers, paper manufacturers, data converters, media providers and freight forwarders, software developers, office supplies, telemarketing, and exhibition venues to the same standard of conduct it sets for itself: adhere to all laws to which subject and embody and promote best practice in business operations, treatment of employees and respect for the environment, as indicated in the ten principles of the United Nations Global Compact to which Reed Elsevier (RE) is a signatory. These principles are reflected in our Supplier Code of Conduct (“Code”) which we ask key suppliers to sign and to post prominently in the workplace (key suppliers are those constituting at least $1m in sales or 25% or greater of annual supplier category spend). To monitor compliance, we regularly conduct internal and external audits of key suppliers and review their environmental and other performance information. Suppliers in violation of the code or its parts will be subject to remediation agreements; failure to rectify non-compliance can lead to contract termination.

Activities

Among its activities, the RE SRS initiatives group:

  • Maintains a master supplier database with comprehensive information including code versioning/signing, initiative tracking, audit dates, remediation plans and compliance
  • Sets and reviews internal and external audit guidelines
  • Establishes policies and undertakes relevant initiatives including a Socially Responsible Supplier and Paper Survey

Each supplier receives the Code and additional associated documents as part of any Request for Quote (RFQ) or Request for Proposal (RFP). Upon contract signing, suppliers are required to meet code requirements and participate in monitoring activities like the Socially Responsible Supplier and Paper Surveys....

Internal and independent external audits are performed on a regular basis. High risk suppliers as determined by the SRS group, such as those operating in areas where human rights, labour, environmental, or other abuses have been known to occur, are audited every two years. Suppliers with repeat code violations are audited annually. Results are communicated to suppliers along with any remediation required; remediation target dates are agreed and follow-up audits are performed to ensure issues identified have been resolved.