Responsible sourcing

We expect our suppliers, sub-suppliers and distributors to implement sustainable business practices and to be transparent about their challenges. Choosing suppliers with good sustainability practices is a way for us to positively influence our supply chain.

Challenges

Telia Company relies on a vast number of suppliers and sub-suppliers, many of which are located in countries or industries with challenges in upholding ethical business practices, human and labor rights, health and safety and environmental protection. Despite solid responsible sourcing practices, the risk remains that suppliers and sub-suppliers do not comply with our sustainability, security and quality requirements.

Our approach

Responsible sourcing starts with setting the expectations for our suppliers, primarily through the Supplier Code of Conduct and Supplier Security Directive. We use a risk-based process where suppliers are categorized based on, for example, the region where the company is registered, the type of product or service provided or how critical the supplier is to our operations. This categorization supports in designing appropriate risk mitigation activities such as further due diligence steps (supplier self-assessment, information research and risk analysis) before contracting, and in conducting on-site audits to evaluate whether a supplier’s sustainability performance is sufficient. All due diligence steps are performed in our due diligence platform. 

Supply chain due care process

Due diligence

The objective of the due diligence process is to ensure that Telia only engages with suppliers who meet our standards and require the same from their own suppliers.

As part of the due diligence process, an up-front risk assessment is carried out to identify high-risk triggers. If risks are deemed high, the supplier undergoes an in-depth due diligence assessment consisting of a self-assessment against the Supplier Code of Conduct and other relevant requirements as well as screening covering, for example, ultimate beneficial ownership (UBO) and sanctions. Results from the in-depth due diligence assessment can result in high, medium and low risk grading. Potential high risks and serious violations identified in the due diligence process, for example those that relate to labor rights, or other human rights, could trigger a supplier audit.

Due diligence coverage

More information can be found on pages 103-104 in the 2021 Annual and Sustainability Report

Audits

Supplier audits are an improvement opportunity for both Telia Company and the supplier. As part of the sourcing process the audits aim to:

  • Clarify and bring more knowledge on the of Telia Company’s standpoint and expectations on sustainability, security and quality
  • Improve compliance of Telia Company’s requirements by ensuring suppliers’ understanding of these
  • Address non-conformities of specific breaches to the requirements which require the supplier to take corrective action
  • Strengthen the relationship between Telia Company and suppliers

Joint Audit Cooperation

The audits are carried out regularly in the whole supply chain, and are performed by Telia Company’s auditors or by a third party.  

There are five categories of audits: security, quality, Supplier code of conduct, site visits (review on specific topics) focused on Telia Company’s business and Joint Audit Cooperation (JAC).

Audits are performed according to:

Recognized standards:

  • Quality Management System; ISO 9001

  • Environment Management System; ISO 14001

  • Occupational Health and Safety System; OHSAS 18001

  • Social Accountability International; SA8000

International frameworks:

  • UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights

  • International Labor Organization Conventions

  • UN Convention against Corruption

Telia Company requirements:

Telia Company Requirements that constitute part of all sourcing and purchasing agreements can be found here.

For more information, contact: suppliers-audit@teliacompany.com . If you have reason to believe that a supplier is violating Telia Company’s guiding documents, please contact the Speak-Up Line.

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Joint Alliance for CSR (JAC)

As a member of the Joint Alliance for CSR (JAC) we share resources and best practices to develop a sustainable ICT supply chain.

Telia Company is a member of the JAC, an association of telecom operators aiming to verify, assess and develop the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) implementation across the manufacturing centres of important multinational suppliers of the Information Communication Technology (ICT) industry. JAC members share resources and best practices to develop long term Corporate Social Responsibility implementation in the different layers or tiers of the ICT supply chain globally.

The JAC process is a coordinated on-site audit and development program based on a common verification, assessment and development methodology, including the follow up of corrective action plans. Each member company has the responsibility, acting on behalf of the others, to lead a complete audit process to a number of suppliers. The list suppliers to be audited is pre-identified each year then divided in equal parts among the JAC members.

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Supplier Privacy policy

At Telia Company, we take the protection of your personal integrity seriously and we want you to feel comfortable with leaving out your personal data to us.

Starting from 2016, as soon as General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) entered into force, we have been running one GDPR Compliance program across Telia Company in all relevant markets. Since numerous principles in GDPR already existed under the old Data Protection Directive, we can draw from our previous experience and best practices while also now ensuring that we implement and follow the new GDPR principles diligently.

We have published a privacy notice for our suppliers describing how we handle your personal data. In the privacy notice you can also learn your rights to your data and how you can exercise your rights.

In case you have any questions, suggestions or want to discuss how we take care of your privacy at Telia Company, kindly reach out to our Group Data Protection Officer (DPO).

Read the Supplier Privacy policy here

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Our approach to conflict minerals

Telia Company recognizes the risks associated with conflict minerals.

Mining of these minerals in e.g. the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and adjoining countries has been linked to armed conflict, human rights abuses, and environmental degradation. We therefore require our suppliers to take steps to assure that conflict minerals are not used in any of the equipment we buy from them. 

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