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SOURCING WITH RESPECT A Q&A with Weleda’s Head of Strategic Sourcing, Bas Schneiders Under its partnership with UEBT, Weleda will change and improve sourcing practices to promote conservation and biodiversity and to ensure fair-labor practices along the supply chain.
effort between politics, enterprises and the end consumer can make supply chains worldwide fairer and more sustainable. W h at ’ s i n t h e f a i r - t ra d e f u t u re fo r Weleda? I see us even more in the role of “incubator” or funders of social and environmental initiatives in developing and emerging countries. Our activities will promote businesses directly on a local level in agriculture and production, and do so in financial cooperation with NGOs and banks. You could call it “Sustainability 2.0.” I think the business model will move more toward social entrepreneurship.
What changes has Weleda made since joining UEBT? The company has had all suppliers provide information about social standards, labor conditions and biodiversity, as well as worker issues like access and benefit sharing, respecting local rights and food resources. Weleda also trains its employees on the importance of fair-trade practices. How would you describe the importance of fair trade and UEBT membership to a skeptical consumer? Conservation of biodiversity and fair trade are key to any natural product. They not only guarantee a longterm supply of ingredients, but also provide regular income for thousands of plant collectors and farmers worldwide. Becoming a member of an organization like UEBT is, without question, an important step. But globally, it’s a small effort. Only a common
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