Supply Chain Sustainability

Telenor’s activities to improve sustainability standards across the supply chain are giving results.

HSSE trainings at tower site in Karachi 2009.

HSSE trainings at tower site in Karachi 2009.

In 2009, Telenor Group established a comprehensive Supply Chain Sustainability framework, with the aim of driving continuous improvement in its world-wide supply chain, focusing on the area of responsible business conduct. Our Supply Chain Sustainability framework is in operation throughout the Telenor Group.

The main elements of Telenor’s Supply Chain Sustainability framework are:

Persistent organizational focus A group-wide “Business Assurance” function has been established across the Telenor Group, to oversee implementation and monitoring of supply chain sustainability in every Business Unit on an ongoing basis. This function comprises permanent local Business Assurance units in every Telenor Business Unit, overseen by a Group Business Assurance unit.
Supplier requirements Telenor’s requirements towards suppliers for responsible business conduct are provided in our Supplier Conduct Principles (SCP). These set out Group-wide non-negotiable requirements to our supply chain on responsible business conduct. The SCP applies to all suppliers – with “supplier” being defined in a broad sense.Read Supplier Conduct PrinciplesTelenor implements the SCP towards suppliers through Agreements on Responsible Business Conduct (ABCs), which commit suppliers to implement the SCP internally and to take the requirements further into their own supply chains. The ABCs also provide Telenor with monitoring rights.See key figures on ABC implementationTelenor’s SCP and ABC framework is a mandatory part of all Telenor’s procurement processes.
Supplier self assessments Telenor carries out supplier self assessments as an important element of supply chain monitoring. These may be carried out as part of procurement processes or as ad-hoc supplier risk assessments, by use of a Supplier Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ). Telenor also carries out a global SAQ on an annual basis to assess the overall SCP risk picture in the supply chain and its development.See key figures on the development of annual SAQ findings
Systematic supply chain risk reduction Based on the annual SAQ results, Telenor Business Units follow up systematically on each concrete SCP risk element found – and work with every individual supplier during the following year to eliminate these risk elements.See key figures on in-year supply chain risk reduction
Announced and unannounced inspections Telenor Business Units carry out a large number of announced or unannounced inspections world-wide as a routine, ranging from simple site visits to more comprehensive inspections or audits.See key figures on supplier monitoring
Proactive supplier training and awareness As a proactive measure for the development of the supplier community in local markets, Telenor’s Business Units carry out supplier training sessions on HSSE in selected cases. Such sessions mostly take place in Asia, where the general HSSE awareness level is lowest.See key figures on supplier training and awareness
Continuous improvement The overriding principle throughout Telenor’s responsible supply chain management activities is continuous improvement. Termination of supplier relationship is the last resort; however, if a supplier shows no willingness or ability to improve over a period of time, then Telenor may consider that option. Telenor wants to work with its suppliers in the spirit of collaboration.