Samsung Electronics Supplier Code of Conduct: Integrating environmental management across the supply chain

Background

Samsung’s Supplier Code of Conduct draws on international frameworks such as the Responsible Business Alliance (RBA) Code, ILO labour principles and global environmental- and human-rights norms. Suppliers must commit to safe working conditions, labour rights, ethical business conduct — and operate “in an environmentally friendly and responsible manner” in full compliance with applicable laws.

To implement this, suppliers must establish a management system covering human rights, health & safety, environment and ethics. This system must include clear objectives, regular risk-assessments, monitoring, training, audits, corrective-action processes, documentation and continuous improvement.

While the Code covers a broad set of sustainability topics, environmental protection — including pollution prevention, resource use minimisation, emissions control, waste and hazardous-substance management — is explicitly part of the core obligations.

Environmental & Reporting Requirements

Under the Code, suppliers must manage their environmental footprint responsibly. Among other expectations, suppliers must:

• Prevent pollution; properly handle wastewater, solid waste, hazardous substances; control air emissions, including greenhouse gases; and reduce resource consumption (energy, water, materials) where possible.

• Establish environmental-management policies endorsed by senior management, assign responsible personnel, and integrate environmental performance into business-decision processes.

• Maintain documentation and records to demonstrate compliance, including environmental permits, emissions data, waste-management logs, hazardous-substances inventories, and any relevant reporting or audit outputs. These must be made available to Samsung or third-party auditors on request.

For many suppliers, compliance will involve systematic tracking of emissions and environmental indicators, especially those involved in manufacturing processes, use of chemicals, waste production or energy-intensive operations.

Implementation Status

Samsung applies the Code globally, embedding it in procurement, supplier onboarding and contract terms.

Through its “Eco-Partner” programme (or equivalent environmental supplier-certification process), Samsung assesses high-impact or high-risk suppliers for environmental compliance, including hazardous-substance management, emissions control, waste and resource-use reduction. Only certified suppliers are engaged for certain procurement categories.

Suppliers undergo periodic self-assessments, management-system reviews, and external audits (on-site or remote), with corrective-action plans and follow-up. Records and documentation of environmental performance are required, and senior management must regularly review environmental policies and targets.

Samsung also offers support to suppliers to help them meet environmental requirements, such as guidance, training, and technical assistance to improve resource efficiency and pollution control.

Resources

• Samsung Electronics Supplier Code of Conduct (official text).

• Samsung Supplier Code of Conduct Guide — detailed guidance for compliance.

• Samsung Supplier Compliance overview / public statement on supplier expectations.