Corticeira Amorim gives preference, whenever possible, to suppliers which supply raw materials while upholding good practices in terms of sustainability and social and environmental concerns, both with regard to the materials’ origin and exploration processes. In addition, the company seeks to cooperate with suppliers in accordance with its own values of ethics and conduct, thereby reinforcing Corticeira Amorim's responsible behaviour throughout the value chain.
Corticeira Amorim intends to know in detail the behavior and practices of suppliers, preferentially selecting those that offer the best negotiation conditions and share the Company's principles and commitments, described in the Code of Business Ethics and Professional Conduct.
Recognising the impact that its supply chain can have, Corticeira Amorim has developed two fundamental instruments: the Purchasing Policy and the Suppliers’ Code of Ethics and Conduct.
The Purchasing Policy defines a set of objectives that must be followed in order to evaluate and select new suppliers based on economic, social, ethical and environmental criteria.
The Suppliers’ Code of Ethics and Conduct reflects the Organisation’s culture and defines the appropriate behaviour with regard to ethical, social and environmental conduct that Corticeira Amorim expects from its suppliers of goods and services. In addition to these instruments, there are several procedures in the purchase of materials that guarantee the mitigation of potential impacts.
Cork is extracted from the trees without resorting to felling the trees, which can live an average of 200 years.
Cork production takes place in the Mediterranean Basin and it is in this region that Corticeira Amorim's operations are mainly located, promoting the need for conservation and social and economic investment in these areas.
Corticeira Amorim pursues responsible purchasing practices in controlled areas, establishes medium- to long-term partnerships with cork suppliers and promotes compliance with the International Code of Cork Stopper Manufacturing Practice (ICCSMP) and forest certification, namely the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®) certification, proving its concern and action in protecting biodiversity, the rights of employees, the rights of indigenous peoples and areas of significant environmental and cultural importance.
The acquisition of non-cork raw materials involves rigorous supplier selection processes that guarantee compliance with the Company’s good practices in terms of social and environmental responsibility. Based on this commitment that Corticeira Amorim applies a specific methodology for the selection of the suppliers of its non-cork products, in order to ensure control of the sustainability of its supply chain. This selection process includes pre-qualification, qualification and evaluation of suppliers and is characterised by analysis of indices of social responsibility (IRSoc) and environmental responsibility (IRAmb):
Social Responsability Index (IRSOC)(1)
The IRSoc is applied at 100% if the supplier is certified by standard NP 4469.
Companies wishing to supply Corticeira Amorim must commit to:
Environmental Responsability Index (IRAMB)(1)
The IRSoc is applied at 100% if the supplier is certified by the ISO 14001 standard. For each requirement that the supplier does not undertake to fulfil, 25% will be deducted from the IRAmb.
Companies wishing to supply Corticeira Amorim must assume their commitment to:
(1) IRSoc and IRAmb are calculated according to the percentage of requirements met by the supplier.
Once selected, suppliers are subject to an annual auditing programme based on their:
