Axfood works to improve the working and living conditions for employees and growers in the supply chains. It is a major challenge because they are often both long and complex. Axfood influences through ongoing follow-up work, sustainability assessments, collaborations, and training initiatives.

Axfood's code of conduct – the foundation of our follow-up work

The foundation of the follow-up work is based on the requirement that all suppliers must sign our code of conduct. The code of conduct is based on the United Nations conventions on human rights, workers' rights, and international environmental regulations, and is established by the organization Amfori Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI).

Axfood's code of conduct

That all suppliers sign the code provides good conditions for following up on issues of safety, quality, environment, and social responsibility.

Axfood conducts sustainability assessments

Conducting sustainability assessments is an important part of the work to promote social sustainability. When purchasing private label products, we do this as an integrated part of the purchasing process.

Purchasing process for Axfood’s private label products

Axfood uses the classification of risk countries by the organization Amfori BSCI. We also review industries with, for example, a large proportion of seasonal workers, which also applies in countries that are not usually considered risk countries.

Social audit reports

In the sustainability assessment, suppliers need to show that they have a systematic approach that allows them to live up to Axfood's code of conduct. They can do this through social audit reports or by showing that they have entered into a collective agreement with a recognized trade union.

A crucial part of Axfood's sustainability assessment is that suppliers demonstrate transparency and can account for the environmental and social risks that exist and also show how they address and minimize these risks.

In addition to sustainability assessments, we conduct evaluations where our existing suppliers are assessed. The purpose is to collaborate with existing suppliers, follow up on any deficiencies and action plans, and support sustainability work.

Collaborations and training initiatives

Axfood also carries out training initiatives to improve working and living conditions in several different countries.

Rice project in Pakistan

In collaboration with Axfoundation, Oxfam, and Sida, a project has been carried out in the basmati rice region of Punjab in Pakistan. Through training and various initiatives, the farmers have been empowered to improve their conditions and incomes. The farmers have been trained in sustainable farming methods according to the Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP) standard. The sustainable cultivation has, in addition to lower emissions, contributed to better rice quality and higher productivity.

Previously, the farmers sold their rice through intermediaries. Now they sell directly to rice exporters who pay a premium price, which increases the farmers' incomes and contributes to positive effects on entire local communities.