What is the Charter for responsible supplier relations?

The Charter for responsible supplier relations (Charte Relations fournisseurs responsables) aims to inform economic players about the challenges that sustainable procurement and customer-supplier relations present.

In this post, you will find the answers to all of your questions about the Charter for responsible supplier relations:

• The definition
• The ten commitments
• The current situation

The definition of the Charter for responsible supplier relations

The Charter for responsible supplier relations was created in 2010 by the French B-to-B Mediation Department (Médiation des entreprises) and the French National Procurement Council (Conseil National des Achats — CNA). Its primary goal is to encourage public organisations and private companies to implement responsible procurement practices in their relations with their suppliers, thereby fostering a framework of mutual trust between the two parties.

In particular, the charter prescribes:

• The appointment of one or more "SME correspondent(s)" to mediate in the event of conflicts or disputes with suppliers
• The implementation of indicators that can be tracked
• Participation in national steering committees (two per year) to present progress

Complementary initiatives are provided in order to support the companies who sign the charter through the process. Examples include the organisation of training days and the establishment of an official label, which applies for a period of three years. This label, created in 2012, was made available to SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises) and VSEs (Very Small Enterprises) in 2017.

The ten commitments of the Charter for responsible supplier relations

Ten achievable commitments are detailed in the official document, with the aim of creating a balanced and sustainable relationship between the signatories and their suppliers:

1. Guarantee fair financial treatment for suppliers
2. Promote cooperation
3. Reduce the risks of mutual dependence
4. Involve large contractors in their sector
5. Evaluate the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of the purchase
6. Incorporate CSR concerns
7. Ensure corporate regional responsibility
8. Professionalise teams and processes
9. Steer the supplier relationship
10. Define a consistent buyer remuneration policy

Charter for responsible supplier relations: What is the current situation?

To date, the Charter for responsible supplier relations has been signed by more than 2000 companies of all kinds, from large French companies and public organisations to MSEs (Medium-Sized Enterprises), SMEs and VSEs.

51 companies are also label-certified.

The Charter for responsible supplier relations and its label are reference tools to help companies overcome economic, social and environmental challenges.