Experian's supply chain
Experian supports the GUS plc principles on supply chain management, which are based on a number of well-recognised external sources: the OECD Guidelines on Multinational Enterprises; the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work; the ILO Tripartite Declaration of Principles on Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy and the published base code of the Ethical Trading Initiative. The Principles are as follows:
Principle 1: We do not employ any person below the age of 14 or 15 (depending on the country) or below the legal minimum age (where this is higher) in the countries in which we operate.
Principle 2: We do not use forced labour in any form (prison, indentured, bonded or otherwise) and staff are not required to lodge papers or deposits on starting work.
Principle 3: We comply with all applicable local environmental, safety and health regulations. We provide a safe and healthy workplace, presenting no immediate hazards to our staff.
Principle 4: Within the customs and practices of the countries in which we operate*, we do not discriminate against any worker on any grounds (including race, religion, disability, or gender). We do not engage in or support the use of corporal punishment or mental, physical, sexual or verbal abuse.
Principle 5: We provide each employee with at least the minimum wage or the prevailing industry wage (whichever is higher) and provide each employee with all legally mandated benefits.
Principle 6: We comply with the laws on working hours in the countries in which we operate.
Principle 7: We comply with all relevant environmental legislation in the regions in which we operate. We have identified all the hazardous or toxic waste we produce and are confident that it is disposed of by competent bodies via authorised disposal routes.
Principle 8: We support the right of workers to form and join trades unions which are free to meet without hindrance.
* We recognise that there are some communities in the world where a mixed workforce is not practicable. However, we expect our suppliers to justify their practices and to treat all employees equally.
These principles are included in Experian International’s standard Terms and Conditions for suppliers. In the UK the company runs a supplier environmental programme which sets and reviews environmental management standards. Beyond this, the company does not at this stage operate an audit or assurance programme: very little of Experian’s directly controlled supply chain extends into parts of the world at risk of unacceptable labour practices, and much is purchased from large, branded multinational companies.