Principle 1: integration

Enable responsible purchasing practices within your business.

Overview of Principle 1: Integration

To successfully embed responsible practices in your company, you will need to build buy-in and understanding across a range of functions. Responsible sourcing goals need to be recognised within wider company strategy, and backed by clear governance, roles, and responsibilities.

Improving purchasing practices is a continuous cycle—one that involves listening, learning, and collaborating with colleagues and supply chain partners to identify challenges and find solutions. You’ll return to Principle 1: Integration throughout your journey—starting with internal engagement, and revisiting it as you embed solutions into company policy and practice.

Principle 1 focuses on integrating responsible purchasing practices by: 

• Gaining leadership support.
• Training internal teams to build awareness and understanding.
• Understanding the potential human rights impacts of current practices (incorporating feedback from suppliers).
• Identifying the human rights impacts of current practices—using supplier feedback as a key input.
• Prioritising actions based on risk, and building these into a regularly reviewed improvement plan
• Strengthening communication between commercial and CSR/sustainability teams
• Making responsible practices part of everyday commercial decisions
• Aligning company strategy with responsible purchasing goals
• Assigning clear responsibilities and governance
• Establishing internal accountability and KPIs
• Reviewing progress and reporting externally

Read Principle 1 of the Common Framework