Responsible procurement charter
Summary
SSE sets high standards to ensure that all our business is conducted ethically and in accordance with the relevant laws. SSE expects the same commitment throughout its supply chain.
Our RPC (Responsible Procurement Charter) presents basic principles for business conduct in all dealings with SSE.
SSE expects its suppliers to comply with all applicable local laws and regulations and to respect internationally recognised human and labour rights.
Health and Safety
The maintenance of a healthy workforce is a key element of SSE’s health and safety policy. It aims to provide staff with the training, work methods and equipment necessary to achieve the highest level of health and safety performance.
We expect our suppliers to comply with relevant legislation such as CoSHH, REACH and RoHS where appropriate, we also expect our suppliers to work with the UK government, other administrations, Ofgem and other regulators to secure a stable and competitive framework for electricity generation and energy supply.
Suppliers working on our sites are expected to comply with our health and safety standards and where applicable, we will seek evidence that our suppliers are compliant.
Hospitality
Suppliers should not provide any gift, meal or entertainment to an SSE employee in any situation where it might influence, or appear to influence, any employee decision in relation to the supplier.
Employment
We are committed to promoting equal opportunities to all of our employees, clients, communities, suppliers and contractors, whether permanent or temporary. SSE will not discriminate because of the protected characteristics of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race (which includes colour, nationality and ethnic or national origins), religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. It will not discriminate because of any other irrelevant factor.
We expect all businesses in our supply chain to respect the people they employ directly or indirectly and offer a safe workplace that is free from harm, intimidation, harassment or fear.
Environment
SSE Group Policy states the Group will 'minimise our emissions, waste and the unnecessary use of natural resources by reusing and recycling materials'.
SSE is committed to helping the government meet its targets for reducing the amount of carbon emissions from the generation of electricity by investing in flue-gas desulphurisation equipment and improving the thermal efficiency of its fossil-fuel power stations, increasing the proportion of energy supplied from renewable resources and promoting energy efficiency measures for its customers.
We expect our suppliers to measure, manage and reduce their carbon footprint and encourage their supply chain to do the same by signing up to the internationally accredited CEMARS Scheme from Achilles Information Ltd.
Bribery and Kickbacks
Suppliers must not engage in any form of commercial bribery or kickback, or offer any incentive to any SSE employee, their family or friends, in order to win or retain SSE business.
For all transactions relating to the manufacture, distribution or delivery of goods, works or services to SSE (or relating to SSE) suppliers must comply with our RPC, Bribery Act legislation, plus local laws against bribery of state officials.
Suppliers must not transfer anything of value, directly or indirectly, to any state official, state-controlled company employee or political party in order to obtain improper benefit or advantage (e.g. relating to regulatory permits, taxation, customs, judicial or legislative proceedings).
Suppliers must keep current, accurate written accounts of all payments (including gifts, meals, entertainment and anything of value) made on behalf of SSE, or from funds provided by SSE.
Suppliers must furnish a copy of these accounts to SSE upon request.
Reporting
Suppliers who believe that an SSE employee, or anyone acting on behalf of SSE, has engaged in illegal or otherwise improper conduct, should report the matter to SSE. Suppliers similarly should report any potential violation of this Code.
Reports may be made directly to our Director of Corporate Relations, Julian Reeves on 01738 455103 or by email to rpc@sse.com. A supplier’s relationship with SSE will not be affected by an honest report of potential misconduct.
Conflicts of Interest
Suppliers should avoid any interaction with SSE employees that may conflict, or appear to conflict, with any employee acting in the best interests of SSE.
Suppliers should not employ or otherwise make payments to any SSE employee during the course of any business transaction (other than pursuant to the SSE contract).
If a supplier employee is a family relation to any SSE employee, or if the supplier has any other relationship might represent a conflict of interest, the supplier should disclose this fact to SSE and ensure that any SSE employee does so.
Information Security
Suppliers should protect confidential information belonging to or vested in SSE in accordance with all relevant laws, and act to prevent its misuse, theft, fraud, or improper disclosure. Suppliers must take due care in handling, discussing, or transmitting sensitive or confidential information that could affect SSE, its employees, its customers, the business community or the public, even after their assignment or contract with SSE has expired.
Accounting and Business Records
Accurate, reliable information and records are critical to meeting these RPC principles plus all financial, legal and management obligations, and to fairly reflect SSE’s transactions. The supplier and SSE must keep accurate records of all matters related to the supplier’s business with SSE.