IBM, through its own practices, has long recognized that a strong management system is critical for developing and sustaining programs that address responsibilities such as workplace safety, increasing energy efficiency and reducing waste.
To build the capability of its supply chain to manage its intersections with the environment and society, IBM announced in April 2010 that all of its first-tier suppliers will now be required to establish a management system to address their corporate and environmental responsibilities.
The baseline environmental requirements for IBM suppliers are summarized below:
- Define, deploy and sustain a management system that addresses the intersections of their operations with employees, society and the environment
- Measure performance and establish voluntary, quantifiable environmental goals in the areas of waste, energy and greenhouse gas emissions
- Publicly disclose results associated with these voluntary environmental goals and other environmental aspects of their operations
- Conduct self-assessments and audits, as well as management reviews, of their management system
- Cascade these requirements to their suppliers who perform work that is material to the products, parts and/or services supplied to IBM
The full set of requirements may be found on IBM's social and environmental management system supplier requirements webpage. For additional resources, see: