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Memberships & Partnerships

Our Approach

We believe the best way to protect the people and the planet is through joint initiatives and partnerships. For this reason, we engage in multi-stakeholder initiatives.

General

amfori BSCI
Logo of amfori BSCI
Since 2008
amfori Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI)

For over 40 years, amfori has been the leading global business association for open and sustainable trade. Its mission is to support each of its members to enhance human rights, use natural resources responsibly, and drive open trade globally. It brings together over 2,000 retailers, importers, brands and associations. The ALDI SOUTH Group became a member of the Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI) in 2008.

Working together

amfori is run by Board of Directors representing the member’s interests from different countries and businesses. In June 2019, Anke Ehlers, Managing Director for Corporate Responsibility International of the ALDI SOUTH Group, was elected to the Board of Directors of amfori to represent ALDI SOUTH and ALDI Nord internationally. This shows the continuing dedication of ALDI to enhance sustainable development in our global supply chains.

The ALDI SOUTH Group is also an active member of the amfori Project Group ‘Social Issues in Food’, which unites retailer and producer members of amfori to tackle shared social and environmental issues in the food sector. A representative from ALDI SOUTH chairs the group.

The ALDI SOUTH Group and ALDI Nord Group of companies have joined UN Womenamfori and other leading companies from across Europe to increase their positive impact on gender diversity and inclusion. This is through the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) Activator programme. The programme will contribute to closing the gender gap in the private sector while building business value. Its aim is to secure business leadership buy-in for gender equality as a foundation for companies and their global supply chains.

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CGF
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Since 2020
Consumer Goods Forum (CGF)

In 2020, the ALDI SOUTH Group joined the Consumer Goods Forum (“CGF”), a global industry network that is driven by its members to encourage the global adoption of practices and standards that serves the consumer goods industry worldwide. It brings together the CEOs and senior management of some 400 retailers, manufacturers, service providers, and other stakeholders across 70 countries, and it reflects the diversity of the industry in geography, size, product category, and format.

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Logo of Ethical Trading Initiative
Since 2019
Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI)

The ALDI SOUTH Group’s hard work in implementing human rights policies and processes has allowed the move from the foundation stage to become a full member of the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) in July 2022. This full membership shows that ALDI’s efforts to trade ethically and to making a positive difference to workers' lives are being recognised. ETI is a global alliance of companies, trade unions, and NGOs that promotes respect for workers' rights. Our ALDI Business Partner Sustainability Standards are aligned with the ETI Base Code.

Working together

Since joining ETI, the ALDI SOUTH Group has become a member in several working groups:

  • Italian Agriculture Working Group to establish an Italian Ethical Trade Forum in order to address social and environmental challenges facing Italian agriculture particularly related to the cultivation of produce. The work of the Italian Agriculture Working Group started in 2019 and has been concluded in 2023, but it will be continued as part of another workstream.
  • Peruvian Horticulture Working Group to engage with key stakeholders both local and international - and including workers - to identify and implement collaborative action plans, which address poor working conditions and improve the lives of vulnerable workers.

Over the next five years, the ALDI SOUTH Group intends to address issues within its high-priority supply chains via a number of measures.

More: Ethical Trading Initiatives
GIZ
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Working Group
German Retailer Working Group on Living Income and Living Wages (GIZ)

As a participant in the ‘German Retailer Working Group on Living Income and Living Wages’ established by the German Society for International Cooperation (Deutsche Gesellschaft für internationale Zusammenarbeit - GIZ), we want to support and promote the establishment of an income and wage standard that meets the cost of living in global agricultural supply chains. By joining forces in 2019 and aligning our approach with others, we aim to increase leverage to maximise our impact and ensure that farmers and workers in global agricultural supply chains have a decent standard of living.

The ‘German Retailer Working Group on Living Income and Living Wages’ has set itself the objective of coordinating and implementing joint activities in order to work towards the realisation of living wages and living income in global agricultural supply chains. A particular focus is on assessing living wage and living income gaps and piloting approaches to close identified gaps.

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IDH
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Since 2019
IDH - The Sustainable Trade Initiative

IDH, The Sustainable Trade Initiative, brings governments, companies, CSOs and financiers together in action driven coalitions. The IDH orchestrates the powers of law, of entrepreneurship and investments to work together to create solutions for global sustainability issues at scale.

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IDH
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Working Group
Roadmap on Living Wages (IDH)

In 2019, IDH created the ‘Roadmap on Living Wages’ to develop aligned solutions for measuring and closing living wage gaps in global supply chains.  The ALDI SOUTH Group is part of IDH’s 'Living Wage Steering Committee' to address overall strategic issues related to the Roadmap  on Living Wages and oversee its development. Furthermore, the participating companies in the committee will monitor the implementation of the IDH Roadmap, including the development of tools to measure the living wage gap and approaches to close it.

Anke Ehlers, Managing Director Corporate Responsibility International (CRI) for the ALDI SOUTH Group: “A living income and wage are an important part of a successful and fair sustainable supply chain, it is a key way in which the ALDI SOUTH Group can protect human rights and reduce poverty. We are proud to engage with the IDH and work alongside our industry partners to improve the livelihoods of farmers and workers in global supply chains. We believe that the best way to create the greatest impact is through fostering alignment and through the continuation of long-term joint initiatives and partnerships.”

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Sedex
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Since 2017
Sedex - Members Ethical Trade Audit

Sedex is one of the world’s leading ethical trade service providers, striving to improve working conditions in global supply chains. Sedex provides practical tools, services and a community network to help companies improve their responsible and sustainable business practices, and source sustainably. ALDI became a member in 2017. ALDI UK is also part of the Sedex Board.

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UNGC
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Since 2017
UN Global Compact (UNGC)

In August 2017, the ALDI SOUTH Group was the first discount food retailer to join the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC). By joining this initiative, we have committed to implementing the UN Global Compact's ten principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment, and anti-corruption as part of our corporate strategy and within the scope of our daily business operations.

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Supply Chains

General

SETF
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Since 2018
Spain Ethical Trade Forum (SETF)

The Spain Ethical Trade Forum was launched in 2012 with the aim of creating a safe space where growers and packers of the agri-food sector could share experiences and discuss the challenges related to working conditions in the sector. The purpose is to jointly seek new ideas and share good practices to be implemented by the participating companies working as a team to improve labour conditions in the sector.

Since 2018, the ALDI SOUTH Group is a member of the Spain Ethical Trade Forum to actively support improvements of the living and working conditions in the Spanish agricultural sector.

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International Accord of Fire and Safety in the Textile and Garment Industry
Since 2014
International Accord of Fire and Safety in the Textile and Garment Industry

ALDI SOUTH was one of the first signatories of the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh in 2013 and 2017. By signing this independent, legally binding agreement we have committed to improve the safety of the Ready-Made Garments (RMG) factories in our Bangladesh supply chain.

At the beginning of September 2021, the ALDI SOUTH Group were one of the first brands to sign the new legally-binding International Accord for Health and Safety in the Garment and Textile Industry that will continue to make garment factories in Bangladesh safer for workers. 

Following commitments under Articles 38 and 39 to expand the International Accord’s work to other countries beyond Bangladesh, the ALDI SOUTH Group becomes also one of the first signatories of the new Pakistan Accord in January 2023. The new Pakistan Accord covers not only all Ready-Made Garment (RMG) factories, but also home textiles factories and fabric mills. We are continuously committed to improving transparency in our supply chains and supporting our suppliers in meeting the highest safety standards.

More: International Accord
Equality
Since 2021 - ALDI GB & Ireland
UN Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs)

The Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) are a set of Principles offering guidance to business on how to promote gender equality and women’s empowerment in the workplace, marketplace and community. Established by UN Global Compact and UN Women, the WEPs are informed by international labour and human rights standards and grounded in the recognition that businesses have a stake in, and a responsibility for, gender equality and women’s empowerment.

WEPs are a primary vehicle for corporate delivery on gender equality dimensions of the 2030 agenda and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. By joining the WEPs community, the CEO signals commitment to this agenda at the highest levels of the company and to work collaboratively in multistakeholder networks to foster business practices that empower women. These include equal pay for work of equal value, gender-responsive supply chain practices and zero tolerance against sexual harassment in the workplace.

More: UN Women's Empowerment Principles
Equality
Since 2021
Activator Programme (WEPs)

The ALDI SOUTH Group and ALDI Nord Group of companies have joined UN Women, amfori and other leading companies from across Europe to increase their positive impact on gender diversity and inclusion. This is through the Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) Activator programme. The programme will contribute to closing the gender gap in the private sector while building business value. Its aim is to secure business leadership buy-in for gender equality as a foundation for companies and their global supply chains.

More: UN Women's Empowerment Principles

Cotton

Better Cotton
Since 2017
Better Cotton

Since 2017, ALDI partners with Better Cotton to improve cotton farming globally. Better Cotton seeks to reduce the negative impacts of cotton production on people and the planet. The basic principles of Better Cotton include training farmers on the elimination of harmful pesticides and the efficient use of water, the preservation of soil fertility, as well as the compliance with minimum social criteria and the prohibition of child and forced/bonded labour. Better Cotton is sourced via a system of mass balance.

To enhance the transparency of our supply chain, ALDI uses Better Cotton’s  online tracking and tracing system, called Better Cotton Platform (BCP). ALDI verifies the amount of cotton sourced as Better Cotton using this platform, which covers the supply chain from the ginner all the way to ALDI.

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CmiA
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Since 2016
Cotton made in Africa (CmiA)

Since 2016, ALDI has been a partner of Cotton made in Africa. Following the principle of 'helping others to help themselves', Cotton made in Africa provides smallholders with training in modern, efficient, and environmentally friendly cultivation methods. In addition to this, it also imparts basic knowledge of business and economics. Pre-financing measures, the protection of natural conservation areas, and the ban of genetically modified cottonseed are just as much a part of the CmiA standard as compliance with the ILO core labour standards and the promotion of women's equal rights.

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Cocoa

Tony's Open Chain Logo
Since 2020
Mission Ally of Tony’s Open Chain

As the first discount retailer, ALDI has joined Tony’s Open Chain. Tony’s Open Chain is an initiative by Tony’s Chocolonely, where they invite other chocolate brands to join Tony’s Open Chain and work together to change the norm in chocolate. By adopting the 5 Sourcing Principles for our new chocolate bar, ALDI has joined the mission to make chocolate 100% slave-free.

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GISCO
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Since 2015
German Initiative on Sustainable Cocoa (GISCO)

ALDI has been an active member of the German Initiative on Sustainable Cocoa (GISCO) since 2015 and works with other members to achieve the initiative’s objectives. This multi-stakeholder initiative aims to improve the livelihood of cocoa farmers and their families, to contribute to a secure living, to conserve and protect natural resources and biodiversity in cocoa producing countries, as well as to increase cultivation and commercialisation of sustainably produced cocoa.

Working together

ALDI is actively engaged in the sustainability and PRO-PLANTEURS working groups, which focus on the implementation of GISCO’s goals and monitoring the PRO-PLANTEURS project.

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RCC
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Since 2019
Retailer Cocoa Collaboration (RCC)

In September 2019, the ALDI SOUTH Group joined the newly formed Retailer Cocoa Collaboration (RCC), which commits to support the Cocoa and Forests Initiative. This initiative will drive change by protecting and restoring forests in Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Colombia. The RCC will also map collective cocoa supply chains to gain a greater understanding of the social and environmental risks found in production countries. The trader assessment conducted by RCC will also provide us with greater transparency and insight into lower supply chain tiers.

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Swiss Platform for Sustainable Cocoa
ALDI SUISSE
Swiss Platform for Sustainable Cocoa

By establishing the Swiss Platform for Sustainable Cocoa in 2018, ALDI SUISSE became a member of the association for the promotion of sustainable cocoa (“Verein zur Förderung von nachhaltigem Kakao”). The members of the multi-stakeholder initiative with actors from the Swiss cocoa and chocolate industry, the public sector, civil society and research institutions actively work together to improve the living conditions of cocoa farmers, to protect natural resources and to promote biodiversity in the cocoa-producing countries. They are committed to coordinate a dialogue with authorities and organizations in producer countries, and to promote the demand and procurement of cocoa-based products with sustainable origins.

More on 'Swiss Platform for Sustainable Cocoa'

Coffee

Logo of Sustainable Coffee Challenge
Since 2020
Sustainable Coffee Challenge (SCC)

In 2020, the ALDI SOUTH Group became a member of the Sustainable Coffee Challenge (SCC). In the SCC, we collaborate with other retailers, traders, governments, NGOs, and research institutions on improving living and working conditions in the global coffee sector.

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Fish and seafood

Partnership
Since 2020
Aquaculture Technical Committee of the certification scheme GLOBALG.A.P

Credible certification schemes like GLOBALG.A.P. are important tools to drive improvements and bolster our consumers’ trust. GLOBALG.A.P. sets standards for good agricultural and aquaculture practices (G.A.P.) and in May 2020, we followed the invitation to join the Aquaculture Technical Committee, which will enable us to promote improvements through a well-established dialogue with all relevant industry stakeholders.

More about 'Aquaculture Technical Committee'
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Since 2020
Global Dialogue on Seafood Traceability (GDST)

In 2020, the ALDI SOUTH Group proudly joined the ‘Global Dialogue on Seafood Traceability’ (GDST). This is another important step towards improving traceability throughout the fish and seafood supply chain and to fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.

The GDST is an international, business-to-business platform established to advance a unified framework for seafood traceability practices. The initiative brings together a broad spectrum of seafood industry stakeholders from across different parts of the seafood supply chain and  civil society experts.

ALDI’s goal is to source all of its seafood products from responsibly managed fisheries and farms, which have a minimal impact upon the wider marine environment. We believe the best way to protect the people and the planet is through joint initiatives and partnerships, like the GDST. We are committed to implement the ‘GDST 1.0 Standards and Guidelines for Interoperable Seafood Traceability Systems’ in our company and will work together with our suppliers for the implementation of the standard in our supply chain.

More about ‘Global Dialogue on Seafood Traceability’
Global Tuna Alliance
Since 2021
Global Tuna Alliance (GTA)

In May 2021, the ALDI SOUTH and ALDI Nord Groups have become partners of the Global Tuna Alliance (GTA). This partnership will support the sustainable development of our supply chains and ensures that the tuna ultimately meets the highest standards of environmental performance and social responsibility.

The Global Tuna Alliance is an independent group of retailers and tuna supply chain companies, who are committed to

  • realising harvest strategies for tuna fisheries,
  • avoiding Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated product,
  • improving traceability as well as environmental sustainability
  • progressing work on human rights in tuna fisheries,
  • implementing the objectives laid out in World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Tuna 2020 Traceability Declaration.
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Since 2021
North Atlantic Pelagic Advocacy Group (NAPA)

As responsibly acting retailers, the ALDI SOUTH Group and the ALDI Nord Group of companies has set the goal to source 100% of ALDI-exclusive brand seafood products from responsibly managed fisheries and farms. We are concerned by the suspension of the MSC certification from North East Atlantic mackerel and Atlanto-scandian herring fisheries from Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Area 27. We believe the management of these fisheries shows gaps, including a lack of a binding allocation of catch quotas for both fish species in line with scientific advice between all catch nations. It is important that the North East Atlantic Fisheries Commission (NEAFC) coastal states adhere to scientifically advised catch levels and implement a long-term science-based management plan for mackerel and herring.

We have joined the North Atlantic Pelagic Advocacy Group (NAPA) to advocate for effective international agreement. NAPA aims to drive sustainability in these fisheries by generating momentum towards an agreement on total allowable catches in line with scientific advice, as well as long-term science-based fisheries management strategies. To address these issues they established the Northeast Atlantic Ocean mackerel and herring - hook & line, trawl, and purse seine fisheries improvement project (FIP). We are participating in the FIP and will continue to source North East Atlantic mackerel while progress is being made.  In the event that the NAPA FIP fails to achieve the desired outcome, ALDI will work with its suppliers to review sourcing options, including investigating alternative sourcing areas and species. We also call upon our business partners to support our efforts by joining NAPA and by engaging their business partners and networks where this has not happened yet.

More: NAPA
ODP
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ALDI Australia, ALDI UK/IE, ALDI US
Ocean Disclosure Project (ODP)

ALDI UK/IE, ALDI Australia and ALDI US joined the Ocean Disclosure Project (ODP) to voluntarily disclose sourcing information on their wild caught seafood products. The ODP is a global platform and reporting framework dedicated to increasing transparency in global seafood supply chains. These ALDI countries will disclose a list of all the fisheries, catch method and environmental impact of its wild caught seafood.

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STF
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Since 2017
Seafood Task Force (STF)

Since 2017, the ALDI SOUTH Group is a member of the Seafood Task Force, a multi-stakeholder initiative seeking to address illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing in an effort to address human rights issues and marine conservational problems, which are believed to be closely interlinked.

The Seafood Task Force uses the combined knowledge and experience of its membership to address complex supply chain issues that cannot be solved individually. The aim is to achieve clean seafood supply chains from vessel to retailer through driving oversight and continuous improvement across people, product, process, and policy.

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SFP
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Since 2012
Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP)

Since 2012, we have worked in collaboration with the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP), a leading non-governmental organisation.  Their focus is to improve the sustainability of wild fisheries as well as aquaculture. The SFP acts as our independent adviser on fish sustainability and rates the sustainability of the fish and seafood used in our own label products and provide recommendations to drive continuous improvement of fisheries. Through our partnership, we can gain better insight into how to source more sustainable seafood products.

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Partnership
Since 2010
WWF Austria (Marine protection)

Since 2010, we are collaborating with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) in the field of sustainable fishing and aquaculture farming. The WWF acts as an independent adviser on fish sustainability and rates the sustainability of the fish and seafood used in our private label products. The WWF also provides us with recommendations to drive continuous improvement of fisheries and aquacultures.

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Nuts

SNI
Logo of SNI
Since 2020
Sustainable Nut Initiative (SNI)

Since 2020, the ALDI SOUTH Group is an active member of the Sustainable Nut Initiative (SNI). SNI is a pre-competitive collaboration platform that brings together key players of global nut supply chains, from processors to roasters to retailers. Through its active involvement, ALDI has developed a risk-based approach to tackle current and future sustainability issues on a sector level, as well as to develop scalable approaches for improving traceability and sustainable farming practices.

SNI Activities

As a first step, SNI is focusing on improving global cashew supply chains, based on a recently published sector-wide risk analysis (conducted in November 2020). Producing, processing and sourcing cashew nuts continues to come with inherent sustainability challenges associated with the conditions of farming communities that produce them, workers that process them, and environmental impacts from the involved production steps and transportation. Alongside other industry actors, ALDI has developed an ambition plan with SNI to jointly address sustainability issues identified in the risk assessment report and define the sustainable path ahead.

By working together within SNI, we believe that we can make a positive impact on the challenges that cashew and other nut supply chains are facing. In a joint effort, we want to drive progress in the whole sector towards better agricultural practices, improved social standards and ultimately more sustainable products.

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Rainforest alliance
Since 2017
Rainforest Hazelnut Programme

The ALDI SOUTH Group joined the Rainforest Alliance Hazelnut Programme (formerly called UTZ) in 2017. The RA Hazelnut Programme brings together a coalition of over a hundred market players worldwide to tackle sustainability challenges such as child labour and poor conditions for migrant workers in predominantly Turkish hazelnut supply chains. The RA programme is the first independent, third-party certification programme in the hazelnut sector and over 7,600 hazelnut farmers in Türkiye now apply the RA standards for sustainable farming.

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Palm oil

Four Palm oil pulps and Palm Oil Transparency Coalition logo
Copyright: POTC
Since 2017
Palm Oil Transparency Coalition (POTC)

We are founding member of the Palm Oil Transparency Coalition (POTC). POTC is a group of businesses working together in a pre-competitive coalition to remove deforestation and exploitation from the palm oil sector. We engage and review the major international importers of palm oil to determine their progress towards tackling deforestation and exploitation in their palm oil supply chains. Our approach aims to promote transparency and encourage progress beyond certification.

More on 'Palm Oil Transparency Coalition'
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Since 2012
Retailers' Palm Oil Group (RPOG)

The ALDI SOUTH Group has been a member of the Retailers' Palm Oil Group (RPOG) since 2012. RPOG is a non-competitive coalition of retailers who have the common aim of making the use of sustainable palm oil the norm across all relevant supply chains.

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Logo of Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil
Since 2011
Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO)

In 2011, the ALDI SOUTH Group became a member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), a not-for-profit organisation that unites stakeholders from the palm oil industry to develop and implement global standards for sustainable palm oil. The RSPO has more than 4,800 members worldwide who represent all links along the palm oil supply chain. They have committed to produce, source and/or use sustainable palm oil certified by the RSPO.

Working together

Since 2019, the ALDI SOUTH Group is the only retail representative of the RSPO Smallholder Standing Committee (SHSC). The SHSC’s responsibilities include overseeing the execution of the RSPO Smallholder Strategy and decision making throughout the implementation of the RSPO Smallholder Strategy.

More on 'Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil: Smallholder Standing Committee'

Soy

Partnership
Since 2020
Cerrado Statement of Support (SoS) Group

In 2020, the ALDI SOUTH Group signed the Statement of Support (SoS) for the Cerrado Manifesto.  We are working in the SoS Group together with other companies to engage local and international stakeholders to protect the native vegetation in the Cerrado, Brazil.

The Brazilian Cerrado is the world’s most biodiverse savannah and after the Amazon rainforest it is the second largest biome in South America. Protection is urgently necessary, as rates of deforestation and land conversion in the Cerrado are even higher than in the Amazon: The Cerrado region has already lost 50% of its original area mainly due to soy production and cattle ranching. 

More on 'Cerrado Statement of Support (SoS) Group'
Soy field in evening sun light
Project group
Collective Soy Reporting (CSR)

Since 2018, we participate in the Collective Soy Reporting together with a group of other retailers to:

  • quantify the amount of soymeal present in animal feed used in 2018;
  • identify where the soy was produced; and
  • determine whether any of the soymeal carried a recognised deforestation free production certification

Overall, more than 230 livestock producers, packers, and manufacturing suppliers fed into the report. Based on the results, we engage with relevant stakeholders and develop appropriate measures to increase the share of deforestation-free soy in our supply chain.

More on '3keel case study'
Donau Soja
Since 2021
Donau Soja

After founding member HOFER Austria, now the entire ALDI SOUTH Group became a member of Donau Soja. This is another step in our international approach to work with other ambitious stakeholders on industry-wide solutions for sustainable and deforestation-free soy production.

Donau Soja is a non-profit association with the aim of supporting the sustainable development of European agriculture and increasing European soy cultivation. This includes the cultivation of soy in line with EU agricultural regulations, additional sustainability criteria and the support of research and innovation activities in the field of European soy production. Donau Soja developed two certification schemes called Donau Soja (especially for the Danube region) and Europe Soya. Both standards ensure sustainably grown, regional and GM-free soy.

More: Donau Soja
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Since 2017
Retail Soy Group (RSG)

The ALDI SOUTH Group joined the Retail Soy Group (RSG) in 2017. The RSG is an independent group of international retailers collaborating pre-competitively to find industry-wide solutions for sustainable soy for their animal feed and food supply chains.

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Logo of RTRS
Since 2017
Round Table on Responsible Soy (RTRS)

The ALDI SOUTH Group became a member of the Round Table on Responsible Soy (RTRS) in 2017. The RTRS is a global platform for multi-stakeholder dialogue to promote responsible production, processing and trading of soy on a global level. Its mission is to encourage soybean production to be verified by a certification standard and produced in a responsible manner. Its objective is to reduce the social and environmental impacts of soy while maintaining or improving the economic status for the producer.

More on 'Round Table on Responsible Soy'
Log of STC
Since 2020
Soy Transparency Coalition (STC)

We are a founding member of the Soy Transparency Coalition (STC), which was established in 2020. The STC is a pre-competitive coalition whose aim is to help deliver a sustainable soy production system. The STC does this by engaging with major international soy traders on tackling deforestation and transparency challenges in soy supply chains.

More: Soy Transparency Coalition

Textiles

LWG
Logo of LWG
Since 2016
Leather Working Group (LWG)

The Leather Working Group (LWG) is a not-for-profit membership organisation for stakeholders across the leather supply chain. The LWG has developed audit protocols designed to certify leather manufacturers according to their environmental compliance and performance capabilities. The Group aims to promote sustainable business practices and create alignment on environmental priorities throughout membership and the industry as a whole. The ALDI SOUTH Group became a member in 2016.

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Bündnis für nachhaltige Textilien
Logo of Bündnis für nachhaltige Textilien
Since 2015
German Partnership for Sustainable Textiles

ALDI became a member of the German Partnership for Sustainable Textiles (German: Bündnis für nachhaltige Textilien) in 2015. This multi-stakeholder initiative is committed to improving social and environmental conditions in the global textile production.

Working together

In the context of ALDI’s membership, we are actively working on the topic of living wages by being a member of the “Partnership Initiative on Living WagesSince 2019, we have been working on the improvement of our purchasing practices as these can have a large impact on the working conditions and wage payments in production facilities used for ALDI production.

In September 2021, ALDI joined the “Living Wage Lab” of the “Partnership Initiative on Living Wages” to strengthen its work towards fairer wages for workers in the garment textile supply chain.

More: Textilbündnis
Woman standing in front of textile thread
Since 2021
Living Wage Lab (Partnership for Sustainable Textiles)

In September 2021, the “Partnership Initiative on Living Wages of the German Partnership for Sustainable Textiles entered a new phase and launched the “Living Wage Lab” to support member brands and retailers to implement pilot projects.

Together with 16 other members of the partnership, including brands and retailers, trade unions, civil society and the Federal Government, the ALDI SOUTH Group will continue to emphasise its work on living wages.

More: Textilbündnis
Logo of Partnership for Sustainable Textiles
2019-2021
Improving purchasing practices (Partnership for Sustainable Textiles)

In the context of our membership in the Partnership for Sustainable Textiles, we are actively working on the topic of living wages and we have been a member of the Partnership Initiative on Living Wages since 2019. Within this initiative, we have been working on the improvement of our purchasing practices as these can have an immense impact on the working conditions and wage payments in production facilities used for ALDI production.

As a first step, we conducted a purchasing practices self-assessment, involving our international buying, design and quality departments. Based on this gap analysis, we have developed a comprehensive roadmap together with our buying colleagues with concrete measures aiming at responsible purchasing practices. Together with other brands we also established a peer learning group to find solutions for challenges and share best practices.

While we are continuously working on improvements, we have conducted another survey on ALDI’s purchasing practices with our direct and indirect business partners. The results of this survey help us to tailor our buying processes even more effectively to the needs of actors in our supply chains.

More: Textilbündnis
Vietnamese women sewing on fish net
Since 2021
“Speak for Change” grievance mechanism programme (amfori)

The ALDI SOUTH Group is partnering with amfori to pilot their “Speak for Change” grievance mechanism in Vietnam. This project will give workers a voice and improve their working conditions.

Not all workers can speak up when something is wrong in their workplace. Access to effective grievance mechanisms is essential to ensure a fair and safe working environment. The ALDI SOUTH group want to work closely with business partners and different stakeholders along our supply chains to change this.

Building on our pre-existing relationship with amfori, the ALDI SOUTH Group is now piloting their “Speak for Change” supply chain grievance mechanism in Vietnam. This project creates a trustworthy mechanism for workers in ALDI food and non-food supply chains to speak up and voice concerns and complaints. Together with our business partners, we are committed to investigating and remediating potential complaints. If proven successful, the programme will be rolled out to further sourcing countries.

More: amfori

Tropical fruit

WBF
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Since 2017
World Banana Forum (WBF)

The World Banana Forum (WBF), coordinated by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, promotes the worldwide adoption of best practices for sustainable banana production and trade. They provide a space where retailers, importers, producers, exporters, consumer associations, governments, research institutions, trade unions, and civil society organizations can discuss the problems facing the banana sector and seek solutions. The ALDI SOUTH Group became a member in 2017.

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Logo of World Banana Forum
Working group
Cost of sustainable production (WBF)

As a member of the World Banana Forum, we are involved in the working group ‘Cost of Sustainable Production’. Its aim is to create transparency about living income and wages in the producing countries. On this basis, governments are supported in the assumption of their responsibility that minimum wages meet living wages and also their enforcement is controlled.

In this context, we support the FAO World Banana Forum’s Living Wage Advocacy Initiative (LIWIN), which works towards the establishment of living income and wage benchmarks in several banana exporting countries and living income/wage advocacy activities with government, private sector and civil society organisations in major European importing countries.

More: World Banana Forum Working Group

Environment

Climate

Logo of Science Based Targets Initiative
Since 2020
Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)

The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) is a collaboration between Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). It defines and promotes best practice in science-based target setting and independently assesses companies’ targets.

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GLEC
Since 2022
Global Logistics Emissions Council (GLEC)

At the beginning of 2022, the ALDI SOUTH Group joined the “Global Logistics Emissions Council (GLEC)”. The membership will help ALDI navigate key business barriers by taking part in Council projects that will support the move towards a zero emissions global freight and logistics sector.

In the ALDI SOUTH Group, we understand that our business activities have a significant impact on climate and the environment. Our goal is to minimise the ecological footprint of our corporate activities. Efficient logistics are key to ensuring that customers have access to our full range and fresh items every day. After our store operations, transport logistics is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and that’s why the ALDI SOUTH Group has become the first grocery retailer to join the Smart Freight CentresGlobal Logistics Emissions Council”.

The Smart Freight Centre (SFC) is an international non-profit organisation focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from freight transportation. Their goal is to work collaboratively with businesses and other interested organisations to measure the impacts of freight, identify solutions, and support an organisations logistics decarbonisation strategy.

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Forest protection

Partnership
Since 2020
Cerrado Statement of Support (SoS) Group

In 2020, the ALDI SOUTH Group signed the Statement of Support (SoS) for the Cerrado Manifesto.  We are working in the SoS Group together with other companies to engage local and international stakeholders to protect the native vegetation in the Cerrado, Brazil.

The Brazilian Cerrado is the world’s most biodiverse savannah and after the Amazon rainforest it is the second largest biome in South America. Protection is urgently necessary, as rates of deforestation and land conversion in the Cerrado are even higher than in the Amazon: The Cerrado region has already lost 50% of its original area mainly due to soy production and cattle ranching. 

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Plastic & Packaging

Holy Grail 2.0 Logo
Since 2022
HolyGrail 2.0

The Digital Watermarks Initiative HolyGrail 2.0, driven by AIM - European Brands Association and powered by the Alliance to End Plastic Waste, is a pilot project with the objective to prove the technical viability of digital watermarks for accurate sorting of packaging waste as well as the economic viability of the business case at large-scale. Digital watermarks are imperceptible codes, the size of a postage stamp, covering the surface of a consumer goods packaging and carrying a wide range of attributes. ALDI joined the initiative in 2022.

The aim is that once the packaging has entered into a waste sorting facility, the digital watermark can be detected and decoded by a high-resolution camera on the sorting line, which then – based on the transferred attributes (e.g. food vs non-food) – is able to sort the packaging in corresponding streams. This would result in better and more accurate sorting streams, thus consequently in higher quality recyclates benefitting the complete packaging value chain.

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© The Consumer Goods Forum
© The Consumer Goods Forum
Working Group
Plastic Waste Coalition (CGF)

In 2021, the ALDI SOUTH Group became a member of The Consumer Goods Forum (“CGF”) Coalition of Action on Plastic Waste. The Coalition was founded in 2020 with the aim of developing a more circular approach to the development and processing of plastic packaging in the consumer goods industry.

As a CEO-led group of 36 committed and innovative retailers and manufacturers, the Coalition’s vision of accelerating progress towards the New Plastics Economy is embodied by its central aims for members to work towards implementing impactful measures through multi-stakeholder collaborations that will help make circularity the norm in the industry.

© The Consumer Goods Forum

 

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RecyClass Logo
Since 2022
RecyClass

RecyClass is a comprehensive cross-industry initiative that works to advance plastic packaging recyclability and to establish a harmonized approach towards recycled content calculation and its traceability in Europe. Activities within RecyClass include the development of Recyclability Evaluation Protocols and scientific testing methods for innovative materials which serve as the base for the Design for Recycling Guidelines and the Recycling Online Tool. RecyClass offers Recyclability Certifications for plastic packaging and Recycled Content Traceability Certification for plastic products. ALDI joined the initiative in 2022.

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Water

Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)
Since 2019
Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS)

The ALDI SOUTH Group joined Alliance for Water Stewardship (AWS) as a member in 2019. AWS is a global multi-stakeholder initiative driving good water stewardship performance through the International Water Stewardship Standard (AWS Standard). Together with AWS and its members, we are championing good water stewardship and the sustainable use of water in our supply chains.

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Community

Donation
Humanitarian relief for Ukraine
Austrian Red Cross

The ALDI SOUTH Group has pledged €5 million in donations and will initially partner with the Red Cross, Caritas, Diakonie and SOS-Kinderdorf to distribute humanitarian aid across the Ukraine and neighbouring countries. It will provide food aid, clean water, medical provision, emergency access to shelter, transportation services, legal advice, accommodation, and general provisions.

Austrian Red Cross

Through its volunteers, the Red Cross is working closely with the victims in Ukraine and surrounding areas. The ALDI SOUTH Group will provide a financial contribution toward an immediate emergency disaster relief procedure. This fund will give access to medical supplies, food and infrastructure, including shelter and clean water and will also be used to distribute hygiene packs and blankets.

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Donation
Humanitarian relief for Ukraine
Caritas Austria

The ALDI SOUTH Group has pledged €5 million in donations and will initially partner with the Red Cross, Caritas, Diakonie and SOS-Kinderdorf to distribute humanitarian aid across the Ukraine and neighbouring countries. It will provide food aid, clean water, medical provision, emergency access to shelter, transportation services, legal advice, accommodation, and general provisions.

Caritas Austria

Caritas is an internationally operating non-profit organisation and as such is involved in foreign and disaster relief with the international Caritas network, assisting and helping people fleeing Ukraine. ALDI will donate toward Caritas’s protection efforts for people on the move both within Ukraine and in the neighbouring countries. The money will be used toward transportation services, food packages, legal advice, accommodations, and general provisions to those in need.Caritas is an international aid and development organisation, who are currently helping those who have left the Ukraine. ALDI will donate toward Caritas’s refugees protection efforts both within Ukraine and in the neighbouring countries. The money will be used toward transportation services, food packages, legal advice, accommodations, and general provisions to those in need.

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Donation
Humanitarian relief for Ukraine
Diakonie

The ALDI SOUTH Group has pledged €5 million in donations and will initially partner with the Red Cross, Caritas, Diakonie and SOS-Kinderdorf to distribute humanitarian aid across the Ukraine and neighbouring countries. It will provide food aid, clean water, medical provision, emergency access to shelter, transportation services, legal advice, accommodation, and general provisions.

Diakonie

For almost 150 years, Diakonie, an association of the aid and social organisations of the Protestant churches, has advised and cared for people in difficult life situations. Thanks to ALDI's donation, Diakonie is organising the AMIKE telephone for Ukrainian refugees and their relatives, which offers psychosocial stress support services to those in need. ALDI are also supporting the Diakonie Integrated Counselling Centre for Ukrainians which guides displaced individuals from Ukraine on basic care, social and health issues, and also supports them in their search for housing in the private sector and with further visits to authorities.

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Donation
Humanitarian relief for Ukraine
SOS Kinderdorf

The ALDI SOUTH Group has pledged €5 million in donations and will initially partner with the Red Cross, Caritas, Diakonie and SOS-Kinderdorf to distribute humanitarian aid across the Ukraine and neighbouring countries. It will provide food aid, clean water, medical provision, emergency access to shelter, transportation services, legal advice, accommodation, and general provisions.

SOS Kinderdorf

SOS-Kinderdorf focuses on providing care to families and children who are at risk. ALDI’s financial support will help the resettlement of Ukrainian refugees, families, and children who are currently in the bordering countries of Poland, Slovakia, and Romania. This donation will also provide emergency shelters and support to deal with stress and shock.

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Sustainable Development Goals

17 Partnerships for the goals

UNGC

Human Rights

Principle 1

Support and respect the protection of human rights

Labour

Principle 3

Uphold freedom of association and recognition of right to collective bargaining

Principle 4

Elimination of forced and compulsory labour

Principle 5

Abolition of child labour

Principle 6

Elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation

Environment

Principle 9

Development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies

Anti-Corruption

Principle 10

Work against corruption in all its forms

GRI references

GRI 102: General disclosures 2016

Global Reporting Initiative 102-12 Global Reporting Initiative 102-13