Sustainable collaboration in the supply chain
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A sustainable future that is inclusive, fossil-free, and circular. This is what we strive for together. By collaborating with you to offer sustainable and circular solutions, we aim to contribute to a more sustainable value chain.
On this page, we explain what this means for us and what Technische Unie expects from its supply chain partners.
1. Supplier Code of Conduct
Technische Unie aims to provide its services as efficiently and effectively as possible, with respect for people and the environment. Our ambition is to integrate corporate social responsibility in our daily activities.
We expect that in our collaboration, you share our ambition for socially responsible business practices.
Instruction: Compliance with Supplier Code of Conduct
- We request an external assessment to demonstrate your compliance with the supplier code of conduct, such as an assessment by EcoVadis.
- If you already have such an assessment, please share it with your designated contact person.
- If not, we require that you obtain an external assessment and share it with your designated contact person no later than 2025.
- Please inform us by December 15, 2024, how you plan to achieve this.
The English version of the Code of Conduct for Suppliers can be downloaded here.
Some important principles from our Code of Conduct
Suppliers must respect human rights and privacy, treat individuals with respect, and promote diversity and equal opportunities. Child labor is prohibited, with 'child' defined according to local laws and the International Labour Organization (ILO). Human trafficking and forced labor are strictly forbidden; suppliers must not recruit, transport, harbor, or compel individuals to work, nor conduct business with parties that engage in or promote such practices.
Suppliers must prevent all forms of harassment and create a work environment free from abuse. They must respect workers' rights, including compliance with all applicable laws and regulations concerning wages, benefits, and working conditions. Suppliers must also adhere to legal requirements regarding employee compensation and working hours, and respect employees' freedom of association. Employees should be able to discuss their working conditions openly with management without fear of intimidation, penalties, or sanctions.
Compliance with Anti-Corruption Policy
Suppliers must not tolerate corruption or facilitating payments to government officials or employees in the private sector. They must perform reasonable due diligence to prevent corruption in all business dealings, including partnerships and the use of intermediaries.
Gifts and Entertainment
Suppliers must ensure that offering or receiving gifts, invitations, or entertainment is legitimate, is permitted by law or based on regulations and is not given for the purpose of exerting influence. This must also adhere to the recipient organization’s rules and reasonable market practices.
Suppliers must comply with all relevant legislation with regard to the formation of cartels, competition and trade practices. They must refrain from inappropriate exchange of information and data, price agreements with competitors, manipulation of tendering procedures, unlawful division of customers or regions or other practices limiting competition.
Suppliers must keep accurate accounts and not alter them for the purposes of concealing of distorting information. All documentation that has been drawn up or received as proof of a business transaction must be complete and accurate. The accounts must be kept in accordance with the applicable statutory and contractual regulations and retention periods.
2. Circular icon
Customers are increasingly seeking circular products. The circular icon in our webshop ensures you stand out and that your circular assortment is easily noticeable. To obtain a circular icon, we require the relevant certificates (or links to them) and their validity dates from you.
Instructions: Requesting a Circular Icon
There are three phases in the circular lifecycle. The submission process varies slightly for each phase.
For all phases:
- Step 1: Download the Excel file
- Step 2: Fill in the EAN number and the TU article number. Optionally, also fill in the percentage of recyclable and recycled material.
- Stap 3: Provide the specific information for each phase as outlined below.
- Step 4: Send the completed Excel file along with the supporting documentation to [email protected]
Specific information for each phase:
Rethink
Do you have a Cradle to Cradle certificate? Post it in your own online environment and share the link with us. Also, indicate the expiration date of the certificate and whether it has been independently tested.
Reuse
Do you want your products to be categorized under reuse? Then request the certificate from Technische Unie by indicating 'yes' in the relevant column. The expiration date will be provided by us.
Recycle
Do you have one of the following certificates?
- EoL - End of Life
- LCA - Life Cycle Assessment
- EPD - Envirnomental Product Declaration
- PEP - Professional Experience Program
Post these in your own online environment and share the link with us. Also, indicate the expiration date of the certificate and whether it has been independently tested.
3. Brancheplan Verpakkingen - Industry plan for packaging
The 'Brancheplan Verpakkingen' is an initiative by Techniek Nederland and Fedet aimed at reducing the use of packaging materials in our installation sector. Technische Unie forms part of this initiative since its introduction in 2022. We are committed to achieving the objectives set for 2025.
We believe it is important that you help us achieve this goal by critically assessing your own packaging. Our request is for you to create a packaging plan in 2024 outlining your actions to reduce, sustain, and promote high-quality reuse.
For inspiration, attached is the packaging plan of Technische Unie. (In Dutch.)
Goals for 2025
With the Industry Plan for Packaging, the installation industry has set joint goals towards 2025 to reduce, sustain, and promote high-quality reuse of packaging.
Source: Brancheplan Verpakkingen
Instruction: Submission of packaging plan
- Use the template of a packaging plan to make your own.
- Publish this plan publicly on your own website.
- This can also be done via the website of the Industry Plan for Packaging. After publication, please send it to [email protected].
- We request you to share the URL with your contact person by the end of 2024.
Through the Industry Plan for Packaging, the packaging plans will be actively shared via the newsletter, website, and LinkedIn page for greater visibility.
Thank you for your cooperation!
With these three steps described above, we hope to make further progress towards a more sustainable supply chain. Thank you in advance for your cooperation!
If you have any questions about this page, please contact your dedicated procurement contact person at Technische Unie.
