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Supplier Requirements

Supplier will comply with the following principles, codes, policies, guidelines and other requirements:

Our responsibility does not end at the company gate. We expect our suppliers and system partners to also embrace responsible workplace practices in line with our Human Rights Policy and our commitment to social justice.

We communicate these expectations through our Supplier Guiding Principles (SGP). The SGP program is a vital element of the Company's overall sustainability platform and reflects the belief that our responsibility to respect human rights extends across our value chain and is essential to long-term business success.

 

CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENTS

The  SGP are part of all contractual agreements between The Coca‑Cola Company and our direct and authorized suppliers. We expect our suppliers to develop and implement appropriate internal business processes to fulfill the expectations. We closely monitor the implementation of our Supplier Guiding Principles by utilizing independent third parties to assess supplier and bottler sites.

 

AUDITS & ASSESSMENTS

To do this, we partner with a select number of accredited audit firms and conduct training on a regular basis to help ensure they understand and align to our program requirements. The Company supports the efforts of the Association of Professional Social Compliance Auditors (APSCA) to ensure a common accreditation for auditors and audit firms. Currently, all of our preferred audit firms are involved in APSCA.

We work with our bottling and supplier partners to complete human and workplace rights assessments and audits annually. These audits are a vital human rights due diligence instrument to the company and the system.

 

ON-GOING STEWARDSHIP

New suppliers must demonstrate compliance to SGP prior to their authorization as an approved supplier. The Company reserves the right to terminate an agreement with any supplier unable to demonstrate SGP requirements abidance. However, this should be considered a last resort. Walking away from issues does not ultimately solve the problem or improve the situation of affected communities and stakeholders. Instead, aligned with the UN Guiding Principles, we aim to collaborate with other major buyers to increase the leverage on suppliers to engage. Our program is always evolving as we continue to learn and address new challenges. We regularly consult stakeholders and benchmark against industry standards and with peers in organizations like AIM-PROGRESS and the Consumer Goods Forum to improve our program. As such, the Supplier Guiding Principles are reviewed and updated as needed.

SGP has been translated into 12 languages:

Guidance Material

We have found that expanded guidance on specific topics is helpful to support our supplier and system partners in upholding the values outlined in the Supplier Guiding Principles:

 

BUSINESS TOOLKIT

Our responsibility does not end at the company gate. We expect our suppliers and system partners to embrace responsible workplace practices and uphold the principles of our Human Rights Policy. We communicate these expectations through our Supplier Guiding Principles (SGP).

The SGP are aligned with our Human Rights Policy and are a part of all contractual agreements between The Coca‑Cola Company and our direct and authorized suppliers. We expect our suppliers to develop and implement appropriate internal business processes in compliance with the SGP.

Values and Commitments at The Coca‑Cola Company

The reputation of The Coca‑Cola Company is built on trust and respect. Our employees and those who do business with us around the world know we are committed to earning their trust with a set of values that represent the highest standards of quality, integrity, excellence, compliance with the law, and respect for the unique customs and cultures in communities where we operate. Our Company has always endeavored to conduct business responsibly and ethically.

We respect international human rights principles aimed at promoting and protecting human rights, including the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights and the International Labor Organization's Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. We actively participate in the United Nations Global Compact. These corporate values are formalized in the Workplace Rights Policy. Our acknowledgment of these international principles is consistent with our dedication to enriching the workplace, preserving the environment, strengthening the communities where we operate.

Reflecting the Company's Values

The Supplier Guiding Principles (SGP) are a vital pillar of The Coca‑Cola Company's workplace accountability programs. These programs are driven by the belief that good corporate citizenship is essential to our long-term business success and must be reflected in our relationships and actions in our workplaces and the workplaces of those who are authorized to directly supply our business.

Recognizing that there are differences in laws, customs, and economic conditions that affect business practices around the world, we believe that shared values must serve as the foundation for relationships between The Coca‑Cola Company and its suppliers.

The Supplier Guiding Principles communicate our values and expectations and emphasize the importance of responsible workplace policies and practices that comply, at a minimum, with applicable environmental laws and with local labor laws and regulations. The principles outlined below reflect the values we uphold in our own policies, and we expect our direct suppliers to follow the spirit and intent of these guiding principles.

Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining

Respect employees' right to join, form, or not to join a labor union without fear of reprisal, intimidation or harassment. Where employees are represented by a legally recognized union, establish a constructive dialogue with their freely chosen representatives and bargain in good faith with such representatives.

Prohibit Child Labor

Adhere to minimum age provisions of applicable laws and regulations.

Prohibit Forced Labor and Abuse of Labor

Prohibit physical abuse of employees and prohibit the use of all forms of forced labor, including prison labor, indentured labor, bonded labor, military labor or slave labor.

Eliminate Discrimination

Maintain workplaces that are free from discrimination or physical or verbal harassment. The basis for recruitment, hiring, placement, training, compensation, and advancement should be qualifications, performance, skills and experience.

Work Hours and Wages

Compensate employees relative to the industry and local labor market. Operate in full compliance with applicable wage, work hours, overtime and benefits laws, and offer employees opportunities to develop their skills and capabilities and provide advancement opportunities where possible.

Provide a Safe and Healthy Workplace

Provide a secure, safe and healthy workplace. Maintain a productive workplace by minimizing the risk of accidents, injury, and exposure to health risks.

Protect the Environment

Conduct business in ways which protect and preserve the environment. Meet applicable environmental laws, rules, and regulations.

Compliance with Applicable Laws and Standards

Suppliers to TheCoca‑ColaCompany and suppliers authorized by TheCoca‑ColaCompany are required to meet the following standards, at a minimum, with respect to their operations as a whole:

Laws and Regulations

Supplier will comply with all applicable local and national laws, rules, regulations and requirements in the manufacturing and distribution of our products and supplies and in the provision of services.

Child Labor

Supplier will comply with all applicable local and national child labor laws.

Forced Labor

Supplier will not use forced, bonded, prison, military or compulsory labor.

Abuse of Labor

Supplier will comply with all applicable local and national laws on abuse of employees and will not physically abuse employees.

Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining

Supplier will comply with all applicable local and national laws on freedom of association and collective bargaining.

Discrimination

Supplier will comply with all applicable local and national discrimination laws.

Wages and Benefits

Supplier will comply with all applicable local and national wages and benefits laws.

Work Hours and Overtime 

Supplier will comply with all applicable local and national work hours and overtime laws.  

Health and Safety

Supplier will comply with all applicable local and national health and safety laws.  

Environment

Supplier will comply with all applicable local and national environmental laws.  

Demonstration of Compliance 

Supplier must be able to demonstrate compliance with the Supplier Guiding Principles at the request and satisfaction of The Coca‑Cola Company.    

These minimum requirements are a part of all agreements between The Coca‑Cola Company and its direct and authorized suppliers. We expect our suppliers to develop and implement appropriate internal business processes to ensure compliance with the Supplier Guiding Principles. 

The Company routinely utilizes independent third parties to assess suppliers' compliance with the SGP. The assessments generally include confidential interviews with employees and on-site contract workers. If a supplier fails to uphold any aspect of the SGP requirements, the supplier is expected to implement corrective actions. The Company reserves the right to terminate an agreement with any supplier that cannot demonstrate that they are upholding the SGP requirements. environment, strengthening the communities where we operate.  

Supplier Guiding Principles

The Supplier Guiding Principles brochure is available in a variety of languages. Click here to select your preferred language. 

Supplier Registration

Diverse Suppliers

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Prime Supplier / 2nd Tier Spend Reporting

Prime Suppliers must register to submit 2nd Tier spend report. Register here.

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Coca‑Cola Associate Access ONLY

Please reach out to the Global Supplier Diversity & Inclusion team to register as a Coca‑Cola associate: supplierdiversity@coca-cola.com

 

Please direct inquiries to supplierdiversity@coca-cola.com.

Supplier will comply with Company’s Responsible Marketing Policy. Supplier will not place advertisements that directly target children 13 years of age or younger (as defined in such Policy) in any media and will not design marketing communications and content in a way that directly appeals to children under 13, on behalf of Company or its authorized bottlers. Supplier will also comply with Company’s Marketing Responsibly in the U.S. Company will not pay for any media placements made by Supplier that do not comply with these policies and Supplier will be solely responsible for payment to the applicable media outlet for such placements. 

Supplier will follow Company’s Media Guidelines. Company may update these guidelines at any time upon written notice to Supplier.

If supplier is explicitly granted a license to Company’s patents in an agreement referencing this link, the terms in the Patent Terms for Suppliers will apply.

Supplier will comply with Company’s Artwork, Labeling and Intellectual Property Protection Policy if this policy is explicitly referenced in an agreement.

Supplier will comply with the following KORE requirements:

Supplier and its subcontractors shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR §§ 60-300.5(a) and 60-741.5(a). These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals on the basis of protected veteran status or disability, and require affirmative action by covered prime contractors and subcontractors to employ and advance in employment qualified protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. In addition, Supplier and its subcontractors shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR § 60-1.4(a) and federal labor law obligations under 29 CFR part 471, appendix A to subpart A.