Sustainability programs at DSM

Brighter lives for all

Working with suppliers for a brighter future

Our sustainable procurement programs enable our suppliers to help us deliver on our promise of creating brighter lives for all – not just today but for generations to come. 

Sustainability Assessment

We assess suppliers through EcoVadis - a recognized provider of corporate social responsibility ratings. The ultimate goal is to measure the quality of a company’s sustainability system through its policies, actions and results. This assessment starts with an overview of the supplier’s sustainability performance to determine their risk category.

The assessment focuses on 21 criteria, grouped into four themes: Environment, Labor & Human Rights, Ethics, and Sustainable Procurement. It starts with EcoVadis sending a customized web-based questionnaire to suppliers based on their industry, size and country (in 11 languages). Each supplier then responds with supporting evidence for its answers.

The assessment is valid for three years (although we may ask suppliers with low scores to undergo a more regular assessment to demonstrate continuous improvement).

DSM achieves top EcoVadis Platinum Sustainability Rating, ranking in the top 1%

At DSM we expect our suppliers to show a strong commitment to sustainability. We also push ourselves to keep improving in this area – which is why our organization has been awarded a Platinum CSR Rating by EcoVadis (putting DSM among the top 1% of companies assessed in our industry).

Importantly, this has enabled us to give our own customers more transparent information on the sustainability of our products. Now we ask you to join us in doing the same.

Together for Sustainability

We understand that connecting across complex value chains isn’t easy. That’s why we are a proud member of the Together for Sustainability (TfS) initiative, which focuses on developing and implementing a global supplier engagement program that assesses and improves sustainable sourcing practices on both an environmental and societal level.

Sustainability Audit

A TfS audit is an in-depth, on-site inspection of a company’s sustainability practices usually at a single or combined business location like a factory, warehouse or office building.

Each audit is performed by an approved, independent auditor and provides details of both strengths and opportunities for improvement based on the following criteria: management, environment, health & safety, labor & human rights, and governance issues.

Collaborating for sustainable palm oil

DSM is taking steps to reduce deforestation by sourcing ingredients like palm oil derivatives, soy derivatives, glycerin and wood fiber in a more sustainable way. 

For example, we are a member of the Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), a not-for-profit, multi-stakeholder organization aimed at making sustainable palm oil the market norm. We aim to have all of our major production sites that use palm oil derivatives RSPO certified.

We understand that sourcing such ingredients in a more traceable and sustainable way is not always easy, which is why we always support and promote suppliers who show real commitment to tackle these challenges.

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