Every week, we surprise our customers with a new collection of products corresponding to a special theme. When producing our consumer goods, we not only focus on the highest quality, but also strive to ensure compliance with social and environmental standards along the supply chain - from the raw material to the finished product.
We are convinced that business success should not come at the expense of people and nature. Therefore, we pursue the goal of permanently improving working conditions at the factories that produce goods for Tchibo. Our Social Code of Conduct (SCoC) is the foundation of all our business relationships and has been an integral element of all purchasing contracts since 2006. In 2011, we extended the Code to encompass environmental issues such as energy efficiency.
Supplier qualification
We support our producers in implementing requirements and standards. To achieve lasting improvements in working conditions at production facilities, we have relied on the WE qualification programme (Worldwide Enhancement of Social Quality) since 2007. This programme brings together managers and employees with our buyers to jointly develop and implement action plans for improving working conditions in production facilities. To date, 284 producers have taken part in qualification measures or completed the WE programme.
Fire protection action
Tackling the challenge of lack of fire protection in Bangladesh, Tchibo was the second company worldwide to sign an agreement for fire protection and building safety initiated in 2012 by leading unions and non-governmental organisations. Around 150 international clothing companies have joined the “Accord for Fire and Building Safety“ since May 2013.
Wood and cotton from sustainable sources
Textiles, garden chairs and tables – many of our products are made from cotton or wood. The products we offer must fulfil a wide range of requirements; they must be well-made, fashionable and durable. But for our customers, quality also involves responsible sourcing of raw materials.
For our garden furniture from tropical and boreal hardwoods, we only use FSC®-certified timber from forests from responsibly cultivated forests.
We aim to continuously increase the share of responsibly farmed cotton used for our textiles; in 2014, responsibly farmed cotton accounts for around 70 % of our textiles made from or with cotton. Hence, we collaborate with partners that work globally to achieve the transition from conventionally to responsibly farmed cotton.
Educational projects in countries of origin
Many of our textiles are made from or with cotton of African origin. We are therefore a member of the Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) Initiative and support African cotton farmers by purchasing their cotton and by sponsoring educational projects.
Facts & Figures • In 2013, we sold over 24 million textile products (40 %) made from or with sustainable cotton. |
- More information on the WE program is available here.