Veoneer has a strong commitment doing business in a socially, ethically and environmentally responsible way and we expect the same standards along the entire value chain.
Veoneer’s Partner Portal (VPP) is a secure entry point for third-party suppliers and potential partners to access Veoneer web-based applications and shared documents as well as to enable self-service administration of supplier master data. The VPP hosts the Veoneer Supplier Manual, renewed in 2019, comprising information on Veoneer requirements, reference to Supplier Code of Ethics and a training program in business conduct and ethics for suppliers. We are fully committed in all business locations to ensure compliance with applicable human rights laws, including those relating to child labor, slavery and human trafficking, and we require our suppliers, direct and indirect, to comply with our Supplier Code of Conduct
The Supplier Code conveys our expectation that suppliers will uphold our social, ethical, and environmental standards in conducting their businesses, including human rights and working conditions, environment, and business conduct and ethics.
Training Business Conduct and Ethics for Suppliers
Audits
Self-assessment tools and audits are utilized to evaluate processes and assess potential risks that may result from system gaps or lack of control.
- Pre-Qualification Audits assess and release potential new suppliers or new supplier locations.
- Social Responsibilities Audits assess that suppliers comply with and commit to upholding the same social, ethical, and environmental principles as Veoneer do. For new suppliers, or new supplier locations, the social responsibility audit is mandatory to perform as a part of the pre-qualification process.
- Project Management Audits assess supplier’s ability on project management, product and process development/validation including prototype, personnel capabilities and resources, advance quality planning.
- Process Audits are used to verify the application and effectiveness of supplier’s quality-, manufacturing- and management system to support Veoneer’s zero defect strategy.
Current suppliers are audited according to a 3-year rolling plan.
An audit cycle starts with the initial audit and may be followed by one or more follow-up audits. It ends when the audit result meets the requirements defined in the standard.
In the event of a major non-compliance that would result in a probable shipment of a non-conforming product, the auditor must ensure that the supplier implement containment actions immediately. Containment shall stay in the process until corrective actions are implemented and verified.
Veoneer’s requirements are based on customer requirements and current quality system standards, in particular International Standard Series ISO 9001, IATF 16949, ISO 14001, VDA 6.3 Process Audit as well as on requirements in the Veoneer Standards and Veoneer Supplier Manual (VSM).
Business Partners
Generally, we try to work with suppliers in the region in which our products are manufactured to minimize transportation, currency risks and other costs. Being a global supplier to the world´s automotive industry, it is essential that Veoneer and its entire supply chain offer products that are developed, assembled and manufactured with controlled processes to assure highest quality. In order for us to offer the highest quality, it is equally important that our suppliers’ business and manufacturing processes continuously deliver products and services with the same high level of quality.
To see how we worked with our suppliers during 2023, please see our Sustainability report.
Conflict Minerals
Veoneer’s Policy on Conflict Minerals provides further clarification to the principles of the Standards of Business Conduct and Ethics regarding the illegal trade of natural resources, in particular certain minerals, known as “conflict minerals”. Pursuant to SEC rules, conflict minerals include certain minerals that originated in the Democratic Republic of Congo or an adjoining country and are sold to benefit groups financing armed conflicts in those regions.
As part of our supply chain processes, we work with our suppliers to improve traceability of minerals and ensure responsible sourcing of components, parts, or products containing tin, tantalum, tungsten, and/or gold. We have incorporated the principles of this policy into the requirements of our contractually binding Supplier Manual and we work with our suppliers to increase transparency in the supply chain. Veoneer supports industry initiatives, such as the Conflict Free Smelter Program (CFS), to validate that the metals used in our products are not contributing to conflict and come from sustainable sources.
