Our Ethical Sourcing Programme is designed to facilitate a supply chain that is reflective of our values, taking a sustainable and responsible approach to supply chain management. We strive to respect, honor and uphold fundamental human rights for all workers in our supply chain.
OUR APPROACH
Respecting fundamental rights throughout our supply chain
at a glance
Following 11 foundational pillars
Our Ethical Sourcing Programme is built on 11 pillars that reinforce our values and commitments by:
- Setting clear expectations for our suppliers
- Ongoing monitoring throughout our supplier relationships
- Proactive risk mitigation
- Regular training and engagement on relevant health, safety, labor and human rights issues.
We’re guided by widely accepted international best practices
Medline is focused on conducting business in an ethical manner. We regularly review our policies and procedures, benchmarking them against international best practices to helps us operate consistently with the latest international guidance.
UNGPs: Protect, Respect and Remedy
The United Nations (UN) Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) resource promotes three key directives: protect human rights; respect human rights by complying with all applicable laws; and provide appropriate and effective remedies when breached.
International Labour Organization
The International Labour Organization (ILO) is a specialised UN agency that advances social justice and promotes decent work. Giving an equal voice to employees, employers and governments, they help set labour standards, develop policies and devise programmes for 187 member countries.
SA8000®
The SA8000 Standard was developed by Social Accountability International (SAI), an independent organisation dedicated to advancing human rights in the workplace. SA8000 is a framework for certifying ‘fair and decent’ working conditions and 'adherence to the highest social standards’.
WRAP Certification
Medline and WRAP have an ongoing partnership to promote ethical sourcing practices in our supply chain. Suppliers of Medline Brand products, such as protective apparel and medical textiles, are being targeted for WRAP certification. Our customers can be confident that products manufactured in WRAP-certified facilities adhere to fundamental principles for labour and human rights.
What is WRAP?
WRAP is the only independent global organisation dedicated to advancing safe, lawful, humane and ethical practices in the apparel industry. It benefits workers, manufacturers, buyers, and consumers through socially responsible supply chains worldwide.
WRAP’s training and certification programme affirms that a production unit abides by local laws and internationally recognised standards and conventions, such as the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs). The WRAP logo is widely recognised, and WRAP’s certification programme is regularly updated to ensure it adapts to the evolving social compliance landscape.
Our principles
Learn more about our Ethical Sourcing principles
Supplier Code of Conduct
Our Supplier Code of Conduct explains what Medline expects of its suppliers on key issues, including labour and human rights, health and safety, and the environment.
Modern Slavery and Transparency Statement
Our transparency statement describes our company structure, applicable policies and ongoing efforts to reduce the possibility that slavery and human trafficking occur in our business or global supply chains.
Sustainability Report
Our annual Sustainability report details Medline’s progress on ethical sourcing, environmental sustainability, community engagement and more.