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A small portion of our raw and base materials are grown in our own bio-dynamic medicinal plant gardens. The remainder of our raw materials are sourced worldwide from small and large farms, cooperatives, cultivation projects and trade companies.
Fair prices and long-term contracts ensure sustainable and successful cooperations with all of our partners. Our paramount objective is to increase our share of organic and bio-dynamic raw materials, which presently make up about fifty percent of our ingredients.
Ecological quality
Weleda’s motto, "In harmony with nature and the human being", represents the upholding of the highest quality and environmental conservation at every step of the value chain and for an active contribution to the conservation of the environment. Therefore, we do not use any synthetic colours, fragrances, oils or preservatives. In addition, we do do not use silicon, paraffin or other mineral oil based products. Similarly, animal testing is not carried out by us, our suppliers or on our behalf.
From an environmental and global sustainability perspective, one of our top priorities is to increase our share of raw materials from organic and bio-dynamic sources. We are convinced that these kinds of raw materials yield the highest quality for our medicine and body care products.
Social Quality
Our Social Quality Standards are connected to our entire value chain, including our suppliers. We place high emphasis on our suppliers’ compliance with our social standards within their employees’ workplace. This is why we introduced our own social guidelines in 2006. While these were specifically drafted for our raw material suppliers, they are relevant and valid for all our partners.
Certain standards that may be taken for granted in industralised nations, such as Germany, may not be the same in all of the countries in which our raw materials are cultivated and processed. Therefore, it is vital for us to uphold an agreement with our suppliers that guarantees an established level of social quality. We have based our guidelines on the four principles and rights at work of the International Labour Organization (ILO), as well as the social standard, Social Accountability 8000 (SA 8000).
In order to ensure our suppliers comply with our standards, we require them to complete a self-assessment questionnaire, comprised of concrete questions pertaining to each of the criteria. This questionnaire is evaluated by our quality management team. During an on-site audit, we further determine, in detail, the extent and way in which our suppliers have implemented our standards. If any weak points are discovered, we establish feasible, medium-term corrective measures with the supplier.
Sourcing Policy
By building and maintaining a network of trust with our suppliers, we fulfill our consumer promise to use ingredients from bio-dynamic and organic cultivation to the greatest extent possible. In order to involve our suppliers in the realisation of our aims, we make every effort to keep in regular contact with all of them.
Naturally, we depend on sourcing our raw materials and services at a reasonable, economically viable price. Nevertheless we are convinced that a fair price acceptable to both sides results from long-term cooperation, mutual trust and respect. An added bonus: both parties are independent of speculative fluctuations on the market. As we learn from each other, we develop top quality together. This creates a win-win situation: the supplier is assured of purchase and Weleda has an assured supply. Price stability, consistent quality and the exchange of expertise are the result.
A large proportion of our raw materials comes from projects around the world which have been established jointly with partners for a long-term perspective. Additional supplies that cannot be procured in this way are met through contract cultivation and distributors. |
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