What is Ethical Sourcing & Why Do We Value It?

Who would want to do business with a company with unethical employment policies? Who wants to conduct business with a corporation that harms the environment? Here at Fast Promotional Products NZ, we will not do business with a supplier who engages in those activities. Since the beginning, we have recognised the value of ethical sourcing and have included it in our efforts to uphold social responsibility. But what is ethical sourcing, and why do we value it so much?

What Is Ethical Sourcing?

According to Spend Matters, ethical sourcing is defined as:

The process of ensuring the products being sourced are obtained in a responsible and sustainable way, that the workers involved in making them are safe and treated fairly and that environmental and social impacts are taken into consideration during the sourcing process.

Furthermore, the Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply (CIPS) says that it also means:

The procurement process respects international standards against criminal conduct and human rights abuses and responds to these issues immediately if identified.

It might be a tall order because some must publicly pledge to act morally or ethically. It may also entail asking suppliers to sign contracts and complete several self-assessment requirements to ensure they're both dedicated to this. Ethical sourcing covers a broad spectrum in the supply chain that usually affects social impact, human rights, and carbon emissions.

You've lucked out since you've come to the right promotional products company because we prioritise ethical and responsible sourcing. We will be happy to provide you with certifications related to anti-slavery, workers' conditions, safety, eco, etc. Do you need a Sedex report from any of our suppliers? No worries, we got you.

Why Do We Care About Ethical Sourcing?

While some businesses view this as only a formality that needs to be completed for compliance, we don't consider it that way. Here are the reasons why:

Instead of merely having transactional connections, we see our clients as partners and an extension of our company. For this reason, we only collaborate with vendors who have ethical sourcing procedures already in place. As a result, we won't jeopardise our partners' integrity or reputation.

We avoid unethical suppliers because we don't want to contribute to human rights abuses, crime, climate change, poverty, forced labour, and animal cruelty. Because of this reason, we make every effort to demand our potential suppliers fully disclose their ethical and sustainability policies.

Human life and the natural world are equally important to us. So we will never make a profit out at the expense of others, especially if they're unfairly treated.

It fosters better relationships not just with the supplier but also with the people and communities who create the promotional products we sell—knowing that they have decent working conditions and fair wages.

Here at Fast Promotional Products NZ, we prioritise sourcing ethically as we're aware of the impact our business decision may have on the people, communities, and the environment. In addition, we are aware that it is our responsibility to do our due diligence to ensure that our company has a good impact on the world by only procuring from ethical suppliers.

References:
https://www.sedex.com/what-does-ethically-sourced-mean/
https://spendmatters.com/2016/02/15/ethical-sourcing-do-consumers-and-companies-really-care/