Sustainable supply chain

The following policies and procedures govern supply chain management:

We updated the last two regulations in 2021, aligning them with the guidelines of Recommendation Z on internal governance principles in banks issued by the Polish Financial Supervision Authority (KNF).

The principles of cooperation with suppliers are also included in the ”Sustainable Development Policy” and the ”Human Rights Policy”.

We are continually developing our supplier selection and management process and adapting it to changing business and social realities.

All our suppliers are subject to uniform selection rules. When qualifying suppliers for cooperation:

• we check that they diversify their income and do not become dependent on the bank;
• we verify the presented certificates e.g. environmental, labour relations;
• we confirm their compliance with CSR principles, our ethical codes, anti-corruption policies and programmes and the reports we publish;
• we examine ethical approach to finance by controlling payment of contributions for employees, taxes and possible outstanding debt to contractors.

The information obtained as a result of these processes has a direct impact on the decision to enter into cooperation with a supplier.

Each supplier of products or services that participates in our purchasing process completes a CSR survey in which they are required to provide information on:

• social responsibility activities,
• compliance with the criteria concerning employment practices and respect for human rights,
• compliance with environmental criteria (the environmental impact of goods and services).

When evaluating offers, we take into account the level of social responsibility activity assessed on the basis of a questionnaire. It can be decisive when selecting a new supplier.

By requiring all suppliers invited to participate in the bank’s procurement processes to complete a CSR survey, we make some companies  aware of the  topic of social responsibility for the first time. The educational impact of our survey is tangible.

Newly signed agreements with our suppliers include mandatory CSR clauses which oblige suppliers to comply with the 10 principles of the Global Compact.

In 2021, Santander Group conducted a global supplier survey in which our stakeholders, Santander Bank Polska’s suppliers, also took part. We examined the principles that guide our suppliers in terms of environmental care and social and managerial responsibility. The results of the 2021 and 2020 survey will allow us to set more precise objectives and plan our actions towards suppliers for the coming years, especially for educational initiatives on ESG areas.