Responsible sourcing

'Responsible sourcing' is our name for ethical trading. Our customers trust our products and this goes beyond safety and quality. As a responsible retailer, the Partnership aims to source products from long term sustainable supply chains, which minimise environmental impact and create trust and value for everyone involved

Bee about to land on a foxglove flower
Our dairy farmers are boosting dwindling numbers of bees with special nesting boxes.

In sourcing our products responsibly, we follow robust policies and procedures, and maintain honest relationships with our suppliers.

For many years, we have helped suppliers to build sustainable businesses – commercially, ethically and environmentally – and provide long-term, satisfying employment.

Responsible Sourcing Principles and Code of Practice

Our Responsible Sourcing Principles, and the accompanying Code of Practice, set out the Partnership's expectations of suppliers. We also expect them to be honest about the issues they face and share best practice, so we can work together to make realistic, long term improvements.

Our Responsible Sourcing Principles cover the following areas:

  • Pay
  • Working hours
  • Working conditions
  • Health and safety
  • Child labour
  • Forced labour
  • Employee representation
  • Equality of treatment
  • Environment
  • Animal welfare


Download our Responsible Sourcing Code of Practice  (PDF size: 50KB).

The Code is available in 9 languages: English, French, Spanish, Italian, Thai, Turkish, Simplified Chinese, Vietnamese and Afrikaans. To request the Code in another language, please use our Contact us form and select CSR from the drop down list.

All Waitrose and John Lewis own-brand suppliers are asked to commit to meeting the requirements of this Code.

Read more about our Responsible Sourcing Programme.

Related

  • CSR reports
    Our CSR performance is publicly reported. Read our current and past reports.

  • Our suppliers
    Suppliers work with us, not for us, in delivering the highest quality products and services to customers.

  • Webcasts and videos
    Watch webcasts of presentations by our Chairman and directors and videos about our business.