Sustainable procurement
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For several years, our policy has aimed to embed corporate social responsibility principles within our relations with suppliers, by reinforcing the management of ethical, social, environmental and supply chain risks.
As a major purchaser of a wide range of products and services, the Air France-KLM Group integrates ethical and sustainability criteria all along its supply chain, by sourcing products and services with the aim of minimizing its environmental footprint and create societal value.
Concerning the business relationships with its sub-contractors and suppliers, Air France-KLM ensures that the fundamental human and social rights and environmental protection principles are properly addressed everywhere in the world, irrespective of the place of their registration and operations.
To assess the effectiveness of the Responsible Procurement Program Air France-KLM Procurement applies strict targets as to the compliance to the Supplier Code of Conduct (2024 target: 85%, result 2024 was 84%) and to the Ecovadis assessment (2024 target: 470 assessed suppliers with a score above or equal to 45, result 2024 was 596 assessed suppliers) which are reviewed on a yearly basis. The responsibility for realizing these targets lies with the senior management in Air France-KLM Procurement.
1. The supplier is requested to complete a questionnaire addressing different themes like certifications, ESG policy, etc…
2. It is mandatory for all suppliers under contract to sign the Air France-KLM Supplier Code of Conduct which is based on the UN Global Compact. The signature of this document engages the supplier to respect these principals. In case of refusal to sign this document, the supplier own Code of conduct, may, in some cases, be accepted after being analysed.
3. In addition, the supplier selection process also includes assessment to respond to the duty of vigilance requirements. It is requested to all suppliers under contract to conduct an EcoVadis assessment and this assessment is mandatory for all suppliers identified as ESG High Risk. It has been many years that Air France-KLM mandates EcoVadis which is an international recognized organism to evaluate suppliers’ performance in terms of ESG. The EcoVadis methodology is based on 21 criteria and 4 themes: Environment, Labor & Human Rights, Ethics, Responsible Procurement. The supplier must obtain an overall score more or equal to 45 (which is the Air France-KLM compliance threshold). In case the overall score is below 45, the supplier is requested to put in place a corrective action plan to improve the score.
The third-party due diligence process in place within its organization has been strengthened in 2024 to apply to the new suppliers and services providers entering into a business relationship and deployed for existing portfolio beginning of 2025. Such due diligence process includes screening and due diligence which takes into account adverse media and registration on sanctions lists that can be related to incidents on human rights.
All buyers must sign a Code of Ethics which outlines the ethical rules to follow when dealing with suppliers. In this code of ethics, it is specifically stated that procurement functions must be very vigilant in ensuring that working rights and social dialogue are complied with within the contracted suppliers.
All new buyers attend a "License to Buy" training, which provides a full day classroom training on ESG topics with emphasis on context, company ambitions and the role of the buyer and including exercises. For all procurement (management and buyers) there is a training program which includes workshops on the Supplier Code of Conduct and the EcoVadis model. Furthermore, there is an ESG ambassador network with buyers of all purchase domains, to share information and best practices. A Procurement Academy was launched offering training on various sustainability topics. This is a mandatory e-learning program for procurement staff, including a section on sustainability.
The Supplier Relations Management System (SRM) is aimed at building long-term partnerships with our strategic suppliers. This program enables issues like Corporate Social Responsibility to be central to discussions and to move forward together on these issues. The Procurement function sees its suppliers as bona fide partners in mutually-beneficial growth. In this capacity, it supports their research into innovative solutions and the analysis of the environmental impact of products.
During the drafting of a product specification, the prescriber and buyer work together to identify the environmental and societal characteristics, thereby encouraging the supplier to not only develop the environmental performance of its products but also make a wider commitment to sustainability. A "Sustainability Sourcing criteria grid" and an ESG Chapter to add to the Specification are now available to help them.
For several years, Air France is committed to the Sheltered and Adapted Employment Sector, which promotes inclusion of people with disabilities in the Labor Market. Use of companies in the adapted sector is part of Air France’s commitment to employing people with disabilities, as illustrated by the signature of the twelfth disability agreement for 2024-2026.
In 2024, the company’s purchasing in products and services with the Sheltered and Adapted Employment Sector amounted to 22, 3 million Euros, making Air France one of the leading national contributors to this sector, which plays a crucial role in the inclusion of disables people through employment.
Air France works with multiple adapted employment sector organizations across France.
These adapted employment companies provide Air France with a wide range of services. (Cleaning and repackaging, laundering, logistical handling, upkeep of green spaces, etc…)
*Concerns Air France only, due to French laws and regulations
