
Responsible Sourcing
Our Approach
We are committed to respecting human rights and improving living and working conditions throughout our supply chains. Our commitment encompasses any adverse impact on human rights that we might cause, contribute or are directly linked to. Our aspiration is that all our products are made in a sustainable way and we consider environmental and social criteria in our global supply chains - from raw materials to final production.
Sustainable buying practices are essential for the long-term success of our business. We are responsible for all activities within our global supply chains and for the resources used in the production of our products.
Together with our business partners, we work towards increased transparency and continuous improvement within supply chains. We strive to increase the share of sustainable resources used in our products and to minimise the negative environmental and social impacts of production.
Our Actions
Business partners
The relationships we have with our business partners are based on mutual respect and trust, it forms the foundation for all our supply chain activities.
We expect our business partners to comply with all our social and environmental standards, e.g. ALDI Social Standards in Production, and we pay particular attention to production conditions in countries where adherence to these standards cannot yet be taken for granted. In these countries, we want to contribute to the improvement of working conditions and the protection of the environment. We do this by maintaining an ongoing dialogue with our business partners, working together on projects and monitoring activities to ensure our requirements are implemented and adhered to in all production facilities used for ALDI production.
High-priorities
The ALDI SOUTH Group’s commitment to corporate responsibility is not restricted to meeting minimum legal requirements. Our aim is to go above and beyond by defining and strengthening sustainability as a quality factor for our products. We focus on both the resources used in our products as well as the working conditions and environmental standards in production.
More sustainable agricultural practices and the responsible use of resources help protect the environment as well as ensure the long-term availability of resources. To create lasting impact, as an international global discount retailer with an average product range of 1,600 products, we need to focus our activities on high-priority raw materials and commodity groups.
Transparency of supply chains
We attach great importance to sustainable production conditions in the manufacturing of food and non-food products. Supply chain transparency is the foundation for all our sustainability measures. Without the knowledge where our products come from, we cannot ensure compliance with our requirements, analyse risks, monitor or implement projects. We work with our business partners to increase the transparency of our supply chains so that we have a better understanding concerning the origin of every product we sell and the raw materials we use for our products.
Transparency: Non-Food
In order to offer greater transparency to our customers, we are publishing the addresses and number of employees of all our main production facilities used for the manufacturing of garment textiles and shoes bought by the International Buying department. Production facilities are classified by product groups or country and the information will be updated bi-annually.
Transparency: Food
We commit to publish information on all relevant tiers for six of our high priority supply chains. We will start with one supply chain and will scale our transparency to six of our high priority supply chains over the coming years.
In order to offer their customers a higher transparency for products, ALDI SOUTH Germany and HOFER have established traceability platforms. With the help of a QR code or a tracking code on the packaging, the respective product can be traced back to its origin.
- ALDI SOUTH Germany: Traceability platform for fish, meat, or eggs
- HOFER: Check your product platform for fish, meat, soy, organic or fruit
Working with key partners
We believe that a collaborative approach is the best way to ensure human rights are respected. Therefore, we seek dialogue with rights holders and duty bearers, through our key partnerships and memberships.
Supporting Global Goals
The ALDI SOUTH Group believes that the best impacts can be created via collaboration. We support partnerships and collaborate to improve the livelihoods and working conditions along our supply chains.
Sustainable Development Goals
The ALDI SOUTH Group is aware of our responsibility as one of the world‘s most successful retailers. Our international structure, our market position, our decades of experience, and the daily commitment shown by our employees provide us with the potential to make important contributions in increasing sustainability across our markets and within our supply chains.
We consider the UN Sustainable Development Goals within the scope of defining our goals and have incorporated them within our selection of sustainability-related topics. We promote the achievement of these global goals by participating in initiatives and implementing a range of sustainability policies.
UN Global Compact
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.
Sustainable supply chains
Ethical Trade Initiative (ETI)
In line with our responsible sourcing strategy to mitigate adverse human rights impacts of our business activity, the ALDI SOUTH Group was accepted as a Foundation stage member of the ETI in 2019. ETI is a global alliance of companies, trade unions and NGOs that promotes respect for workers' rights. Our Social Standards in Production are aligned with the ETI Base Code.
amfori Business Social Compliance Initiative (amfori 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.
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.
Supplier Ethical Data Exchange (Sedex)
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 UK is part of the Sedex Board.
Sustainable textiles
German Partnership for Sustainable Textiles
ALDI SOUTH Germany became a member of the German Partnership for Sustainable Textiles (German: Bündnis für nachhaltige Textilien) in 2015. This multi-stakeholder partnership is committed to improving social and environmental conditions in the global textile production.
Green Button initiative
The ‘Green Button’ (German: Grüner Knopf) is a voluntary label established by the German government that identifies textiles that are produced in a sustainable way. Labelled products meet 26 minimum requirements for social and environmental standards in textile production. Since 2019, ALDI SOUTH Germany and ALDI Nord have used the ‘Green Button’ to label textiles that have been produced in a socially and environmentally friendly way. With our participation in this initiative, we emphasise our commitment to promoting sustainable textile production to our customers.
Our Goals & Performance (2019)
By measuring our progress against our Corporate Responsibility goals on a regular basis, we can continuously validate the effectiveness of our actions and highlight the areas where we are already making strong progress as well as other areas where further action is still required.
Animal Welfare
Our Goal: We are committed to sourcing 100% of our shell eggs from cage-free supply chains by 2025.
of cage-free shell eggs
Cocoa
Our Goal: All cocoa used in relevant own-brand products will be from certified sources by the end of 2020.
of products containing certified cocoa
Coffee
Our Goal: The percentage of sustainable coffee is to be steadily increased.
of sustainable coffee tonnage
Cotton
Our Goal: We will use 100% sustainable cotton for our own-brand garments and household textiles by 2025.
of sustainable cotton tonnage
Fairtrade
Fairtrade-certified products (incl. Fairtrade-sourced incredients)
Fish & Seafood
Our Goal: All products included in our fish and seafood range will be responsibly sourced by the end of 2020.
of responsibly sourced fish and seafood
Forestry
Our Goal: All wood-based own-brand non-food products are to be produced from recycled or certified raw materials by 2020.
of certified/recycled own-brand products
Palm (Kernel) Oil
Our Goal: All palm (kernel) oil and palm (kernel) oil-based derivatives and fractions used in our own-brand products are certified.
of certified palm (kernel) oil in our own-brand products (since 2018)
Textiles
Our Goal: All textile business partners receive a Corporate Responsibility (CR) evaluation and respective training.
of our textile business partners integrated into the CR Supplier Evaluation Program (CRSE)
Tropical Fruit
of bananas and pineapples sold in our European and US stores are certified
Our Projects
Our Memberships & Partnerships
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.
News
Library
Sustainable Development Goals













UNGC
Human Rights
Principle 1
Support and respect the protection of human rights
Principle 2
Not complicit in human rights abuses
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 7
Precautionary approach to environmental challenges
Principle 8
Promote environmental responsibility
Principle 9
Development and diffusion of environmentally friendly technologies
Anti-Corruption
Principle 10
Work against corruption in all its forms