BIC_REGISTRATION_DOCUMENT_2017

OUR ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL, AND SOCIETAL RESPONSIBILITY Our societal responsibility

2.5. Our societal responsibility

In September 2015, the United Nations adopted a new Sustainable Development Program comprising 17 worldwide goals for combating poverty, inequality and injustice. These goals emphasize the crucial role of universal access to education and hygiene. The Group strives to meet these challenges through its local economic presence, with about four million points of sale offering BIC ® products worldwide, and through its global presence: BIC manufactures and distributes its products in 160 countries, supplying the most developed marketplaces as well as some of the most impoverished ones (see page 59). The societal challenges undertaken by BIC also include respect for ethics and Human Rights in the workplace and the fight against corruption. To meet these challenges, BIC’s operations and subcontracting activities integrate its Code of Conduct, Code of Ethics and, since 2016, its Anti-Corruption Policy. Lastly, BIC seeks to support local communities through the development of philanthropic policies that favor involvement at both the Group and the individual level.

2.5.1.

FULFILLING OUR

products. Its demands encompass factors like compliance with deadlines, cost control, quality and innovation, but also include adherence to the Group’s values and commitments in terms of sustainable development. The challenges concerning Human Rights are discussed in section 2.5.1.2 “Ensuring respect for Human Rights in the workplace” (page 89). Approach and progress made in 2017 ♦ The Responsible Purchasing Charter The Group seeks to cultivate long-term commercial relationships with its suppliers, establishing responsible relations with them and upholding its commitment to Responsible Purchasing. BIC’s Responsible Purchasing Charter, finalized in 2014, codifies the Group’s relations with its suppliers in keeping with its five shared Values: Ethics, Responsibility, Teamwork, Simplicity and Ingenuity. This charter applies to relations with suppliers and contract manufacturers involved in the production or shipping of BIC® products. Through the Responsible Purchasing Charter, the Group reminds its suppliers and subcontractors that all of the commitments that BIC has made concerning its own operations apply to their activities as well. This charter is submitted to all suppliers and subcontractors to whom it is applicable.

RESPONSIBILITY ACROSS OUR ENTIRE VALUE CHAIN Responsible purchasing and 2.5.1.1. sustainable relations with suppliers Challenges ♦ The vast majority of BIC® products, representing 90% of the Group’s net sales, are produced in BIC factories. BIC’s corporate organization prevents it from diluting its responsibility when it calls upon subcontractors: all purchased or subcontracted products and their suppliers are subject to stringent prior qualification processes in terms of quality, safety and social criteria. In the course of its operations, BIC works with about 2,000 suppliers and subcontractors. For the Group, being a responsible company means maintaining control over the entire value chain. To this end, the Purchasing Departments analyze all risks: stock levels, diversification of suppliers and sourcing zones, risks associated with the country and the rarity of the resource. BIC also strives to extend the high standards that it applies in its own operations, in terms of quality, respect for the environment, ethics and Human Rights, to all the parties involved in the production and distribution of its

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BIC GROUP - 2017 REGISTRATION DOCUMENT