LVMH 2020 . E t h i c s a n d r e s p o n s i b l e p a r t n e r s h i p s
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E T H I C S A N D R E S P O N S I B L E PA R T N E R S H I P S
THE LVMH GROUP CULTIVATES ITS DIFFERENCE THROUGH A CONSTANT QUEST FOR EXCELLENCE. WE MUST THEREFORE
BE EXEMPLARY WHEN IT COMES TO ETHICS, CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY, AND RESPECT FOR OUR STAKEHOLDERS.
Codes of ethics and their application
LVMH s commitments to our employees and stake- holders are reflected in the Group s longstanding support for benchmark initiatives such as the United Nations Global Compact, and in the adoption of inter- nal charters and codes of conduct which serve as guidelines for all of our Maisons. These include the LVMH Code of Conduct, the Supplier Code of Conduct, the Environmental Charter, the Charter on Working Relations with Fashion Models and Their Well-Being, the Recruitment Code of Conduct and, more recently, the Animal-Based Raw Materials Sourcing Charter. The Group has a dedicated governance structure that ensures its values and codes of ethics are applied at the operating level. This structure includes the Ethics & Sustainable Development Committee, which operates within the Board of Directors and primarily comprises Independent Directors. The Group s Executive Manage- ment coordinates the initiatives of LVMH s Ethics & Compliance, Audit, Internal Control, Operations, Procure- ment, Environment, Social Development, and Financial Communications Departments. The Group puts these commitments and values into practice across all its business lines, paying close attention to areas such as promoting employee inclusion and well-being; devel- oping and passing on expertise and key skills; protect- ing personal data; reducing the Group s impact on ecosystems and natural resources; and establishing and maintaining responsible supply chains. LVMH works collaboratively to implement appropriate policies and systems, raise awareness within its Maisons and ensure they make progress, particularly in managing these issues and their relations with suppliers regarding environmental, social and ethical matters, while pro- moting and ensuring sustainable supply chains.
Fair and responsible relations with our partners
Supporting our partners is a key strategic priority for LVMH, as we aim to build long-term relationships under- pinned by our shared quest for excellence and the ambition to establish a set of common ethical principles, guidelines and practices. The Group is developing a comprehensive policy with the aim of ensuring that our partners and suppliers adopt best environmental, social and societal practices, while enhancing awareness and providing information about issues specific to their own activities. LVMH and its Maisons take a collaborative approach, offering support through audits and, where necessary, action plans. Over 1,300 audits were con- ducted in 2020. Despite the exceptional public health situation that began in early 2020, LVMH was able to maintain a significant level of on-site supplier audits. The Group s responsible sourcing policy also includes supplier support and training. For example, LVMH is a signatory of the Utthan pact, an industry initiative that brings together several major luxury brands that contract out embroidery work. The initiative s aim is to build up and elevate recognition of luxury embroidery expertise in Mumbai, where a significant number of our Maisons partner embroiders are based. The initiative also includes an on-site training program for embroiderers. In parallel, the Group also ensures that its own buyers receive train- ing on issues related to responsible purchasing.
Further information can be found in the Environment section and in the 2020 Universal Registration Document.