As part of our strategy, Ahold Delhaize and each of our great local brands share a set of values and ethical principles that support an ethical culture. The Ahold Delhaize Code of Ethics lays out those principles, which help us act with integrity toward customers, communities, suppliers, business partners and each other. Our shared values – integrity, courage, teamwork, care and humor – and ethical principles provide the framework for the decisions we make and are the foundation of our commitment to conduct our business the right way, every day. That includes our commitment to respect human rights and protect the environment. You can read more about our commitment to human rights in the Position on Human Rights, and about our approach to health and sustainability on our website.
Our commitment to human rights and the environment is not limited to our own operations. We believe that we have the opportunity to create positive change that extends to the communities in which we operate and the supply chains that our brands depend upon. Our Standards of Engagement are one of the ways in which we ensure that the products we sell reflect this commitment to respect human rights and protect the environment. The Standards of Engagement define our expectations and ensure that our suppliers maintain the same high level of business ethics, regard for human rights and the environment as Ahold Delhaize and its brands.
Our Standards of Engagement are included in our agreements with suppliers. They contain the principles that we believe are necessary to support human rights and protect the environment. These principles are aligned with the principles of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and further informed by the International Labour Organization’s Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, the OECD Guidelines and the amfori BSCI Code of Conduct. Additionally, we have created a guidance document for the Standards of Engagement which further explains these principles, how we implement our commitment to human rights and the environment and where to find additional information and resources.
The key changes to the Standards of Engagement include the following: