Together for Sustainability – chemical supply chains for a better world

TfS, a global, procurement-driven initiative, delivers a groundbreaking framework with robust tools – TfS Assessments and TfS Audits – to assess and improve the sustainability performance of chemical companies and their suppliers.  TfS delivers the de facto global standard for environmental, social and governance performance of the chemical supply chains. The program is based on the UN Global Compact and Responsible Care® principles. TfS is growing into a global organization with regional representation in Asia, North and South America. Operating as a unique member-driven organization, the TfS member companies shape the future of the chemical industry together. TfS member companies represent a global turnover in the chemical industry of €349 billion and a global spend of €227 billion.

KEY FACTS

The TfS Framework with its standardized tools – TfS Assessments and TfS Audits – enable member companies and their suppliers to assess, drive and improve sustainability performance of chemical supply chains through a shared infrastructure.
Key to the TfS program is the commitment to continuously improve the sustainability of all actors involved. Through regional, tailor-made training solutions based on data mining and analysis, TfS focuses on those regions and sustainability topics that represent the highest risks and provide the biggest impact for improvement.

As a member-driven initiative, TfS companies – their CPOs and the TfS Community – actively contribute to TfS. The 5 TfS WSs (Governance & Partnerships, TfS Assessments, TfS Audits, Communications & Supplier Engagement, and GHG Scope 3 Emissions) drive the initiative forward. Together they shape the future of the chemical industry.

THE TfS FRAMEWORK AND PROCESS

TfS operates along the principle “An assessment or audit for one-member company is an assessment or audit for all”. The sharing of supplier evaluations among 29 global chemical companies lessen the administrative burden and leverages synergies among the member companies. TfS Assessment are carried out by its key partner EcoVadis, a global service provider specialized in sustainability performance assessments. For its Audits, TfS cooperates with a TfS-approved Audit company.

Performance is assessed in the areas of management, environment, health and safety, labor and human rights, and issues of ethical corporate governance. The measures then introduced are reviewed via re-assessments or audits. Follow-up monitoring and subsequent supplier management are the responsibility of the individual member companies. An online platform is used to make the results available to all members of the initiative.

KEY FIGURES

Mid-January 2021, TfS office will provide figures for the full year 2020
e.g. number of assessments/audits completed and shared, number of suppliers who documented improvement

The respective figures of the previous year – as also used in TfS Annual Report 2019 – for reference:

From the start in 2011 until end of 2019:

• 14,000 supplier sustainability evaluations conducted and shared under TfS program:
  • 12,200 shared supplier assessments
  • 2,030 shared supplier audits

• 1,700 suppliers documented their progress on improvements and shared it with TfS in 2019

TfS GROW&DELIVER – NEW TfS STRATEGY 2020-2025

Earlier this year, TfS launched Grow&Deliver, the TfS strategy and roadmap for the period 2020-2025, under which TfS innovates and extends its activities. TfS Grow&Deliver marks a turning point for the initiative as it will enable it to move from a collaboration focused on measurement to a community that delivers tangible impact.

The strategy contains 4 pillars: the initiative will aim for higher standards. Mining and analysis of assessment and audit data allow TfS to identify priority areas. Under the strategic extension pillar, TfS will continue its inclusive approach with a special focus on Asia.  TfS decided to extend its work into emerging markets around the world, for example China, but also Japan and India.Through collaborative action, TfS will tackle issues that extends its sustainability proposition. And finally, to implement its ambitious strategy, TfS needs to foster a stronger community through information exchange and discussions.

SUPPLIER AND BUYER DEVELOPMENT

TfS member companies can report many more details e.g.
– on their supplier evaluations and improvements
– supplier trainings and development, capability building
– buyer trainings (content, frequency, languages,…)
– responsible souring programs