Climate Change
A key topic at Swiss ReRead more
Procurement guidelines
We apply globally valid purchasing guidelines to select goods and services that have a low environmental impact and observe social standards during production. In addition minimal standards specify the requirements for individual product groups.
For our sourcing and procurement operations, we have globally applicable guidelines. They define criteria which we use to select goods and services that offer best value for money, meet high quality standards, have a low environmental impact and observe social standards in their supply chain. Environmental criteria must be included in purchasing decisions with regard to materials and ingredients, production methods, recycling and waste.
We give preference to suppliers that have an environmental policy or a certified environmental management system such as ISO 14001 or EMAS and comply with international social standards. In particular, our guidelines formally prohibit the use of subcontractors without our express permission and any use whatsoever of underage or forced labour.
Furthermore, we use minimal standards that specify requirements for individual product groups: paper, office furniture, cleaning services and cleaning agents, office supplies and building materials. For each category, they list objectives, ecological aspects, ecological minimum standards, exceptions, controlling and labels. The standards are currently being phased into all our contractual arrangements with suppliers.
Corporate responsibility
We have a long-standing commitment to corporate responsibility and strive to implement this across our business. Our performance has received high ratings from independent third-party organisations. Read the whole story
Switzerland Charity of the Year...
We are proud to announce that the “Stiftung Brunegg” was chosen as Swiss Re’s Switzerland Charity of the Year 2012. Read the whole storyFurther stories
- Providing Safe Water and Sanitation to Communities in Bangalore and Hyderabad, India
- Swiss Re and the ICRC: A knowledge-sharing partnership
- Providing clean water in Central Mindanao of the Philippines
- Making schools more resistant to earthquakes in rural Peru
- 2010 Corporate Responsibility Report
- More stories
Back to corporate responsibility
Sustainable Solutions
2010 Corporate Responsibility Report
The report highlights how we use our risk expertise to create sustainable value for our stakeholders and society as a whole.Download the report (22MB)
