Procurement at Aesop involves a commitment to nurturing the people, communities and environments that support each part of our supply chain. Along with quality and safety, we uphold an ongoing core commitment to sourcing products, through ethical and sustainable methods, and partnering with the most reputable suppliers across the globe.
Aesop’s Ethical Sourcing Programme aims to rigorously ensure that all its suppliers use environmentally responsible processes, provide safe working conditions, treat all workers with dignity and human rights are held paramount throughout the supply chain.
The Programme includes a supplier Code of Conduct, Ethical Sourcing Policy, risk assessments of our suppliers using Supplier Ethical Data Exchange (SEDEX) and SEDEX Members Ethical Trade Audits (SMETA 4-pillars audit) for medium and high-risk suppliers.
The Aesop Ethical Sourcing Programme utilises SEDEX and over 80% of our direct suppliers by spend are active members.
As part of the Aesop Ethical Sourcing Programme, we have implemented an Ethical Sourcing Policy and Code of Conduct. Over 90% of direct tier 1 supply by spend have signed the Code of Conduct.
We require independent third-party auditors to complete SEDEX Members Ethical Trade Audits (SMETA 4-pillars audit) of high and medium risk suppliers.
Although not without its challenges, we are continuously improving our practices as honestly and transparently as we can.
One such supplier with whom we are proud to partner is Dutjahn Sandalwood Oils (DSO). Based in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, DSO is a sandalwood oil distillation company forged by an equal partnership between Dutjahn Custodians, Kutkabbuba Aboriginal Corporation and the founder of WA Sandalwood Plantations. DSO is owned and controlled by traditional Indigenous communities. They have a unique approach to harvesting sandalwood oil, with sustainable development at the heart of their business model.
We began partnering with DSO in 2018, after searching diligently for sandalwood oil that met our required scent profile, passed our vigorous quality metrics, and allowed for improved visibility of the production and supply process. Our trusted partnership with DSO has been developed with the intention that it be long-term, based on our shared values and commitment to positive social, economic and environmental development.