Responsible supply chain

The process of selecting suppliers and the terms of cooperation with them are regulated by the applicable policies and procedures in force in the bank. The supplier selection process is conducted in accordance with the:

The management of suppliers is based on the provisions of:

The process of Supplier Management is consistent with the international standards of Santander Group. In practical terms, this means that appropriate policies and procedures are observed and that all tenderers taking part in procurement processes and supplier qualification are subject to uniform selection principles.

The supplier management process is being developed and adapted to the continuously changing business and social reality.

In the second half of 2018, work  began on new amendments to the process. A dedicated website was launched to facilitate contacts with suppliers and the execution of the required processes. In the first stage, the supplier qualification process was launched. Subsequently, the work focused on two other modules:

• procurement, and
• ordering from suppliers.

Concurrently with the implementation of technological solutions, work began on changes in the abovementioned policies and procedures.

1.New suppliers are often invited to take part in procurement processes (depending on the purchase type).

2.New agreements signed with our suppliers include obligatory CSR clauses. The clauses oblige suppliers to respect the 10 Global Compact principles adopted by the United Nations at the Davos summit in January 1999.

3.Each purchase of the bank exceeding the value of PLN 50,000 is subject to the bank’s Procurement Policy. The Supplier of the service participating in the process is required to enclose a completed CSR questionnaire with information on social responsibility, meeting the criteria pertaining to employment practices and respecting human rights and meeting environmental criteria (impact of the goods and services on the natural environment). The degree of social responsibility of suppliers established on the basis of the completed CSR questionnaire is taken into account in the assessment of tenders and selection of the bank’s suppliers.

4.Each of the bank’s suppliers with a turnover above PLN 1 million (in the previous year) has a billing limit assigned at the beginning of the qualification process in order to check whether it is not excessively dependent on the bank and whether it diversifies its sources of income. Suppliers who undergo the qualification process and who provide critical services from the bank’s point of view are enquired about sustainable development measures. Their answers are taken into account when a final approval of cooperation with the supplier is given. When the evaluation of tenders submitted by different suppliers is similar, the degree of social responsibility may have a deciding influence on the final choice of suppliers.