Our Expectations

Our Principles

At Boehringer Ingelheim, our values and principles have always formed the basis of our success. We believe that society and business are best served by responsible business behavior, good practice and taking sustainability into consideration. Responsible and sustainable sourcing at Boehringer Ingelheim integrates requirements, specifications and criteria in the overall Purchasing and Supplier Selection process that are compatible and promote environmental protection and social progress. They support economic development, namely by seeking resource efficiency, improving the quality of our products and services, and optimizing costs. Responsible and sustainable sourcing at Boehringer Ingelheim strives for the most positive environmental, social, and economic impacts possible across the entire life cycle of our products to minimize adverse impacts.

The Boehringer Ingelheim Supplier Code of Conduct was initially adopted by Boehringer Ingelheim’s Board of Managing Directors and entered into force in 2016.

Your Principles

The Boehringer Ingelheim Supplier Code of Conduct expresses expectations for how business is to be conducted between Boehringer Ingelheim and all its suppliers, including those acting on behalf of Boehringer Ingelheim. A fundamental philosophy of respect for all humans, animals, the environment, society and suppliers underlines Boehringer Ingelheim’s commitment to ethical behavior.

Boehringer Ingelheim shares this Supplier Code of Conduct with suppliers to enhance a common understanding of our business requirements, which comprise an important component of supplier selection and evaluation. Identified suppliers are obliged to complete assigned trainings, which may include, but are not limited to, this Supplier Code of Conduct and compliance trainings, within a specified time. Failure to comply with our expectations will result in the reassessment of future business relationships.

Our Expectations

Boehringer Ingelheim expects all its suppliers and subcontractors to replicate these expectations further down the supply chain. Suppliers must allow Boehringer Ingelheim, or a qualified third-party auditor chosen by Boehringer Ingelheim, the opportunity to check their compliance with these standards.

Therefore, suppliers are expected to:

• Acknowledge that applicable law is not replaced by the Supplier Code of Conduct.
• Firmly adhere to internationally recognized ethical principles for labor and human rights, environment, health and safety, and integrate those principles into effective management systems.
• Integrate, communicate, and apply these principles in their own third-party programs.
• Recognize the importance of providing a workplace environment of respect and fair treatment to all employees with their distinct perspectives and experiences by strict adherence to all local laws, regulations, and policies specific to equal opportunities and non-discrimination.
• Be aware and respectful of cultural differences, beliefs and the challenges associated with interpreting and applying these principles globally. Understand that the methods for meeting these expectations may vary and must be consistent with the local laws, values, and cultural expectations of the different societies of the world.
• Integrate the principles into a continually improving approach that improves awareness, sensitivity, and inclusiveness, to advance performance over time.
• Recognize the potential impact of businesses on the environment and the people as well as acknowledge and encourage the positive contributions that business can make to economic, environmental and social progress.
• Pursue sustainability ambitions based on evidence and scientific knowledge.
• Practice a culture of transparency and collaboration by sharing data and information to support the identification of improvement opportunities and the establishment of shared ambitions, for example in the field of greenhouse gas emissions or reduction of hazardous waste.

This Supplier Code of Conduct sets forth the ethical and aspirational goals of Boehringer Ingelheim. In the event that there is contractual language between a supplier and Boehringer Ingelheim that irreconcilably conflicts with the foregoing language of this Supplier Code of Conduct, then the contractual language between the Supplier and Boehringer Ingelheim shall govern in the event of any dispute.