Human rights
Swedish Match supply chain data is not included in PMI’s Integrated Report. Notably, sustainable policies and practices in place prior to the acquisition continued to apply in Swedish Match’s supply chain during the year.
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Concretely, during 2023 Swedish Match continued to ensure that our suppliers would adhere to their Supplier’s Code of Conduct. More specifically, with regard to due diligence in the smoke-free tobacco supply chain, Swedish Match continues to be part of the Sustainable Tobacco Program (STP), an industry-wide initiative developed by tobacco manufacturers designed to assure standards in agricultural practices, environmental management, and key social and human rights. As integration progresses, we will work to expand PMI’s existing stringent due diligence programs to Swedish Match’s supply chain. Considering the complexity, wide-scale, and diversified nature of our respective supply chains, Swedish Match is expected to integrate into PMI’s supply chain-related sustainability data reporting where material by 2026.
Swedish Match's commitment
Until the integration is finalized, Swedish Match will upholds to its previous commitments and policies. We respect universal human rights and support internationally proclaimed human rights conventions and guidelines. We recognize the role we play in respecting these rights and in making sure that they are upheld for the people impacted by our business, in the areas from which we source materials. Elimination of child labor is the center of focus in our efforts. Swedish Match does not accept child labor anywhere in our supply chain. We respect the rights of the child, including the right to education, the right to rest and play and the right to have the child’s basic needs met, in accordance with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
1. Minimum age of employment
Swedish Match complies with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and ILO Convention No. 138 on the Minimum Age for Admission to Employment and Employment. The minimum age for work should not be lower than the age for completing compulsory schooling, which is generally 15 years, or 14 years in accordance with the exceptions for developing countries. Where the relevant national legislation specifies a higher age, that age shall apply.
2. Our Supplier Code of Conduct
Our Supplier Code of Conduct specifies what we expect and require from our suppliers in terms of employment and labor practices, workplace practices, ethical business practices and environmental management practices. Requirements are based on and comply with international conventions and guidelines. The Supplier Code of Conduct forms the basis for our relationship with suppliers and is an integral part of most of our significant business agreements.
3. Direct material other than raw tobacco
For direct materials other than raw tobacco we rely on our own due diligence programs to monitor adherence to our Supplier Code of Conduct. The due diligence primarily covers primary suppliers. The primary suppliers are continuously screened for compliance and risk in relation to ethical business practices, employment and labor practices, including child labor. In addition to this, we encourage our suppliers to develop their own supplier standards and monitoring procedures.