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

How Telia Company works to prevent the use of 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 as well as other conflict-affected or high-risk countries has been linked to armed conflict and human rights abuses, support of corruption and money laundering as well as environmental degradation. As part of our human rights agenda, 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.

Our commitments and responsibilities

Telia Company’s Code of Responsible Business Conduct defines requirements to ensure the highest degree of ethical business practices and behavior. As stated in our Human Rights Policy, we recognize our responsibility to respect and support human rights in all business operations and endeavor to find opportunities to engage and use our leverage in our business relationships to proactively respect and support human rights. We are committed to human rights due diligence, an ongoing risk management process, in order to identify, prevent, mitigate and account for how we address adverse human rights impacts, and we are committed to continuously engage with stakeholders to understand potential and actual human rights impacts such as forced or child labor.

Besides our own commitments, we also have a responsibility to respect human rights and to make sure to avoid being complicit in human rights abuses, as set out in the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and other international guidance. These standards help companies to respect human rights and to avoid contributing or being linked to Conflict Minerals through their supply chain practices. Hereto, regulation has emerged. The EU Conflict Minerals Regulation aims to help stem trade in four minerals; tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold. The regulation refers to OECD Due Diligence Guidance and sets out rules for different parts of the value chain. Operating beyond the metal stage, Telia Company does not have obligations under the regulation, but is expected to use reporting and other tools to make our due diligence more transparent.

Our approach

Telia Company views activities which cause or contribute to human rights violations as unacceptable. We are committed to source from suppliers which only use tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold from responsible sources (including those within the DRC region), and work with our suppliers to perform appropriate due diligence to identify, and remove, Conflict Minerals from our supply chain. Telia Company’s Supplier Code of Conduct includes specific, actionable and auditable requirements on suppliers providing products to Telia Company that contain tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold necessary for the functionality and/or production of the supplied product. Telia Company includes the issue of Conflict Minerals in relevant supplier audits.

Whistleblowing and Speak-Up Line

Telia Company is committed to conduct our business with the highest possible standards of transparency, integrity and accountability. We encourage all our employees and stakeholders to speak up if they suspect serious wrong doings and share their concerns. More information here.

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