Supplier guiding principles

We are a major purchaser of packaging materials and ingredients and sometimes we do so from countries outside Great Britain.  We believe we have a responsibility to make sure that all our suppliers respect human rights as much as we do.

Coca-Cola Enterprises' contracts require suppliers to comply with all relevant governmental legislation and regulations, along with statutory and other requirements regarding protection in the workplace, basic human rights and fundamental freedoms.  The European Convention of Human Rights informs these requirements.  There are no other programmes or auditing in this area.

As part of efforts to develop and strengthen relationships with suppliers around the world, The Coca-Cola Company operates a set of Supplier Guiding Principles. These principles apply to all direct suppliers, including Coca-Cola Enterprises, as well as all of the other approved bottling partners. They form part of all new or renewed commercial agreements between Coca-Cola Great Britain and direct suppliers.  We only deal with suppliers who show that they comply with the principles.

The Supplier Guiding Principles cover a variety of workplace policies.  These are

• Freedom of association and  collective bargaining
• Prohibition of child labour
• Prohibition of forced labour and abuse of labour
• Elimination of discrimination
• Work hours and wages
• Provision of safe and healthy workplace
• Protection of the environment

Coca-Cola Enterprises is committed to conducting business under the highest standard of excellence.  Since 2008, it has been compulsory for all Coca-Cola Enterprises' contracted suppliers to sign a Supplier Guiding Principles contract.  These outline Coca-Cola Enterprises' expectations that its suppliers operate in compliance with local labour and environmental laws and regulations.  These laws and regulations include those that address

• Working hours
• Compensation
• Working conditions
• The rights of employees
• Third party representation
• Collective bargaining