In 2021, this was reviewed in order to take into account feedback from users. This new version is currently being tested with a sample of suppliers and will be used with the Group’s suppliers under framework agreements from 2022. Depending on the results of their sustainability assessment, suppliers may be excluded from the tender process or may be given a progress plan and action plan. Audits or checks are carried out to verify the implementation of these plans. The business lines and divisions have also adopted this approach to assess their suppliers. For example, VINCI Autoroutes has further strengthened its tenders with stricter environmental requirements, which are becoming key differentiating criteria when selecting its partners. These requirements are reflected in various developments, including the appointment of an environmental manager, a monthly 15 minute environment session for projects lasting more than three months, and a carbon footprint assessment for operations over €2 million.
88%
of active contracts in 2021 involved the completion of a responsible purchasing questionnaire during the tender process
To take a more in-depth look at the overall strategy and the actions to be taken, a new initiative to analyse spending is also being gradually rolled out in the Group’s entities. The aim is to confirm the priority purchasing categories for each business area, to draw up a new map of the social and environmental risks involved, and to define a relevant strategy for each purchasing category in connection with the progress plans set out with suppliers. The strategy adopted for each business area may range from carrying out a new analysis of the risks for this category and its supply chain to further strengthening the sustainability assessments in order to better measure how suppliers will be able to address the risks identified, as well as establishing structured, in-depth dialogue on these issues with suppliers, with a view to gaining more insights into the supply chain and further strengthening the prevention measures in place. Specific dialogue was set up in 2021 with certain strategic suppliers who are long-term partners, such as suppliers of petroleum products (e.g. fuel and bitumen), firms offering equipment hire without drivers and personal protective equipment suppliers. The meetings held made it possible to identify opportunities for partnerships concerning the low-carbon products that these companies could offer, while learning more about their prevention action plans focused on workforce-related conditions for production and other stages within their supply chain. Moreover, recruitment agencies are subject to specific vigilance measures (see section 4, “Duty of vigilance plan”, page 247).
| Total at 31/12/2021 | |
|---|---|
| Active contracts including one or more clauses on workforce-related, social or environmental issues | Active contracts including one or more clauses on workforce-related, social or environmental issues Total at 31/12/2021 100% |
| Active contracts having involved the completion of a responsible purchasing questionnaire during the tender process | Active contracts having involved the completion of a responsible purchasing questionnaire during the tender process Total at 31/12/2021 88% |
| Active contracts including a progress plan for responsible purchasing | Active contracts including a progress plan for responsible purchasing Total at 31/12/2021 14% |
| Number of on-site responsible purchasing audits conducted since 2014 | Number of on-site responsible purchasing audits conducted since 2014 Total at 31/12/2021 703 |
● Training for purchasing teams
The Group believes that training for its purchasing teams is vital, and it takes various actions to further strengthen their responsible purchasing expertise and skills. Since the end of October 2020, an e-learning course has been available in five languages for all employees to help them absorb the content of the responsible purchasing guide and raise their awareness of the related issues. By 31 December 2021, more than 2,400 employees had completed this training module. In addition, a more in-depth online course for the Group’s purchasing teams was provided throughout 2021, with 120 employees in key positions for the Group’s purchases having received training as part of this initiative. They were also provided with a tool kit to help them take ethical, social and environmental issues into consideration in their purchasing process. In addition, 30 ambassador-trainers in the various business lines completed a course to become trainers with a view to rolling out the tools and methodologies within their scope.
● Responsible subcontracting approach
The Group’s priority is to retain and expand in-house expertise. However, the many public procurement contracts won by some companies, together with the Group’s growing presence in general contracting for projects demanding highly technical and specialised skill sets, may require the use of a certain percentage of subcontractors. VINCI makes every effort to ensure that its subcontractors comply with the regulations in force in the countries where these companies operate.
VINCI’s Subcontractor Relations Guidelines, rolled out in 2014, set out the Group’s commitments in terms of subcontracting: safety conditions of subcontractors’ employees that are comparable to those of the Group’s personnel, respectful business relationships, fair bidding processes, transparency in business dealings, cooperation with local companies and compliance with VINCI’s core values. To further strengthen its vigilance and control over workforce-related risks in subcontracting, VINCI launched various pilot projects in 2018 to assess the practices in place and identify areas for progress.
VINCI’s human rights approach and actions are presented in detail in the section on the Group’s duty of vigilance plan (see section 4, “Duty of vigilance plan”, page 233 and paragraph 4.4,“Duty of vigilance with regard to human rights”, page 242).
VINCI joined the UN Global Compact in 2003 and is committed to supporting and promoting respect for human rights within its sphere of influence, and to ensuring that Group companies are not involved in human rights abuses. To define its strategy, VINCI refers to the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, the eight fundamental conventions of the International Labour Organisation and the OECD’s Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises.
