The latest AIM-PROGRESS membership on 26-27 March meeting gathered 55 attendees from 30 member companies, at PepsiCo’s UK headquarters in Theale. The new elements of the updated Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit (SMETA), a key benchmark for AIM-PROGRESS audit requirements, were reviewed. The membership discussed the evolving responsible sourcing requirements of leading brand manufacturers and the need to take the common AIM-PROGRESS mutual recognition criteria to the next level. A critical enabler to benchmark members’ audit protocols is the AIM-PROGRESS-ITC protocol benchmarking tool which is being updated and will soon become available as an on-line version. Changes have now been included to broaden the common audit elements expected by AIM-PROGRESS members and to cover common requirements regarding audit methodology. Thus, little by little, AIM-PROGRESS will help raise the bar for responsible sourcing. This was brought out by the encouraging results of the fourth member benchmarking survey which shows a marked progression of the AIM-PROGRESS membership towards higher levels of maturity on the responsible sourcing journey (see following article).
Dexter Galvin, head of CDP’s supply chain program, reported that with the expansion of its scope, the platform has become a de facto global standard for company reporting on carbon, water and also deforestation. The supply chain program enables manufacturers to ensure that the rest of the supply chain is also engaged in impact reduction. Joe Maguire shared Diageo’s experience implementing CDP's reporting and engaging their suppliers in a GHG reduction journey.
A standing agenda item of every AIM-PROGRESS meeting are company testimonials about how they implement responsible sourcing. Meeting host PepsiCo’s responsible sourcing program “Performance with Purpose” is reflective of the AIM-PROGRESS strategy drivers on how companies should evolve their way of doing business towards a sustainable future. Financial performance should be underpinned by environmental considerations, workplace safety, product quality and investment in local communities. Participants further heard about Mars’ and Ferrero’s responsible/sustainable sourcing efforts.
The meeting participants were also informed about a series of regulatory developments that will have impact on their responsible sourcing activities (UK slavery act, US executive order on human trafficking & national business plan for implementing Ruggie).
