The updated Guiding Principles includes new and expanded content to provide more timely and relevant guidance to suppliers on the latest industry expectations. This amended document is also accompanied by a new supplementary resource, which provides examples of actions organizations can take to engage in best practices with regards to business ethics, human rights, working conditions, and environmental leadership.
In December 2017, AIAG and Drive Sustainability rolled out an updated version of the “Automotive Industry Guiding Principles to Enhance Sustainability Performance in the Supply Chain,” along with a supplementary reference document – “Global Automotive Sustainability Practical Guidance” – to provide further explanation and examples.
Along with AIAG and Drive Sustainability, BMW Group, Daimler, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Group, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Honda, Jaguar Land Rover, Nissan, Scania, Toyota, Volkswagen Group, Volvo Cars, and Volvo Group, all participated in this revision of the 2014 document, and in creating the additional explanatory resource. This extraordinary alignment between automakers came out of a need to address issues relevant to the automotive industry today, and to speak with a unified voice on the importance of a sustainable, ethical supply chain.
The amended text augments previously stated positions, and is more inclusive of principles that reflect current industry concerns pertaining to business ethics, human rights, working conditions, and environmental leadership.
To further elaborate upon the guidelines outlined in the Principles, the supplementary text, “Global Automotive Sustainability Practical Guidance,” addresses the practicalities and legalities of meeting industry expectations. For instance, to create a safe and healthy working environment – one of the fundamental values noted in the Principles – companies should educate their employees on emergency and evacuation procedures. They should also offer personal protective equipment when required, as well as focus on training for machine safety. Other examples offered include the need to maintain legally required permits and licenses, and verify that fire detection, alarm, and suppression systems are in place and in working order at all times.
Additional resources like AIAG’s tools, trainings, and workshops also help companies of all sizes meet sustainability performance expectations. Free online courses and assessments such as the Supply Chain Sustainability eLearning and the Supply Chain Sustainability Knowledge Assessment (Practitioner Level), along with additional options for AIAG members, all support the same industry goals regarding the social and environmental performance of the supply chain.
Click here to download the Global Guiding Principles and supplementary Global Automotive Sustainability Practical Guidance.
