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June 2004

Major retailers collaborate on BC

BCL announces that it has secured a major project win to supply its collaborative software to Sedex Information Exchange Limited (SEDEX) in an initial deal worth 0.5 million, but with a potential long-term revenue flow reaching seven figures, dependent on the number of suppliers using the system. The initiators and founder members of Sedex are four retailers (Marks & Spencer, Safeway, Tesco and Waitrose) and four major manufacturers (Geest, Northern Food, RHM and Uniq).

The web-based system is designed to improve access to information on working conditions in supply chains. The Sedex site enables producers to share data on working conditions at production sites with their customers and enables customers to monitor and drive improvements in their supply chains. Sedex covers issues such as working hours, pay, health and safety, freedom of association and child labour.

Louise Nicholls, Ethical Trading Manager - Food at Marks & Spencer commented:

“Sedex will provide suppliers with an immensely valuable tool enabling them to operate a single, co-ordinated approach to auditing across their customer base. Ultimately, this means that suppliers can meet the expectations of their customers in an efficient and cost-effective way. ”

Terry Babbs, Head of Ethical Trading at Tesco said:

“The new Sedex secure web-based system is a big step forward in sharing information within the industry, which will help suppliers to keep costs down and avoid any unnecessary duplication of audit work. ”

Read more in:
Computing: Retailers monitor ethics data online (August 2004)
The Observer:Clean bill of health or whitewash? June 2006