Colgate-Palmolive (India) has demonstrated its dedication to responsible supply chain management, recognizing its crucial role in enabling delivery of sustainable and safe products to consumers across the value chain. We collaborate with a vast network of suppliers ranging from small-scale producers to multinational corporations.
To minimize our environmental impact, currency exposure, and lead times, we prioritize local suppliers wherever possible, ¾ of our direct suppliers are local41. By reducing the carbon footprint generated from transporting goods over longer distances, we contribute to environmental sustainability. Supporting local businesses also promotes job creation and strengthens the local economy, leading to a positive social impact.
We have collaborated with over
suppliers for raw materials, packaging materials, logistic support, marketing, and a multitude of other offerings.
Our unyielding commitment to promoting sustainable practices throughout our supply chain enables us to ensure environmental responsibility, enhance operational efficiency, mitigate risks, and meet the growing demand from consumers for ethical and sustainable products and services.
The 'Supplier Responsible Sourcing Assessment (SRSA)' tool was introduced in 2012 and has four pillars that evaluate suppliers through a self-assessment form focusing on ethical, social and environmental parameters.
We use either internal or third-party audits to assess our suppliers, vendors (raw material, packaging), contract manufacturers, co-packaging facilities, warehouse operations, and third-party vendors.
Hiring process, employee classification, child or forced labor, working hours, wages and benefits, working conditions, etc.
Workplace hazards, Safety policies and protocols, Incident reporting system, Safety equipment, Training and education, etc.
Material traceability, Environment Management Systems, Energy efficiency, Water management, Waste disposal, Pollution control, Environmental Performance Indicators, etc.
Policies, Processes, Certifications, Trainings, Capacity management, BCP, Regulatory compliance, Data management, Internal Controls, etc.
As a member of the Supplier Ethical Data Exchange (SEDEX), we use the SEDEX Members Ethical Trade Audit (SMETA) to assess our suppliers' compliance with legal requirements. We are also part of AIM-PROGRESS, a global industry forum dedicated to promoting responsible sourcing practices and production systems.
The forum aims to reduce audit redundancy through mutual recognition of assessments, where manufacturing companies that share the same suppliers use the noncompetitive audit provided by common suppliers. This approach enhances efficiency and reduces costs along the value chain, in line with best practices.
In the FY 2022-23, we evaluated 37 suppliers who contributed to 65% of our total spend based on environmental and social criteria, including child labor, forced labor, discrimination, sexual harassment, working conditions, employee health and safety, and compliance with applicable environmental regulations. We are pleased to report that all the suppliers were found to be compliant, and no environmental or social impacts were identified.
Zero cases of child Labour
Zero cases of forced or compulsory labour
Zero cases of violations of collective bargaining
No environmental and social impacts identified
