Weak links? Not if we can help it.
As a major global company, our supply chain is long and complex. This gives us a great responsibility and we’re committed to ensuring that the highest standards of corporate responsibility are exercised.
We work hard to anticipate risk, uphold company values, enhance our governance practices, increase employee wellbeing and do right by the communities where we do business.
Nokia principles for sustainable sourcing
Integrating sustainable practices into our business
Our aim is to ensure that sustainable practices are not separate add-on features but embedded within all our sourcing practices – including supplier selection and relationship development. We expect our supplier network to do the same.Close cooperation
We believe that open communication, good relationships and transparency are key to success. We work closely with suppliers, customers, industry peers, non-governmental organisations and other stakeholders.Continuous improvement
We continually strive to improve our ways of working and develop our requirements, tools, methods and processes over time to enhance sustainability.
Snapshot of our supply chain
Our supply chain consists of around a hundred direct suppliers for hardware, components and parts, and ---- hundreds of software suppliers. We also work with thousands of indirect suppliers providing services and equipment needed for our operations.
Our global supply chain begins with raw material extraction and processing, ending in the manufacturing of components and final product assembly.
There are typically four to eight supplier layers between Nokia and any mining activities. Our supply chain is spread around the world as it needs to deliver to our own production sites as well as to our offices worldwide.
As we operate our own global manufacturing network, most manufacturing is done in-house complying with our strict social and environmental requirements. This also means that our first tier supplier line starts only after production.
Sustainable sourcing of materials and services
We source components, materials and services from suppliers all over the world and we expect them to meet our own high standards of environmental and social responsibility.
Supplier requirements and assessments
To be a Nokia supplier, companies must not only accept our comprehensive Nokia Supplier Requirements. They must also undergo a number of assessments designed to measure their environmental and social performance and set targets accordingly.
Environmental performance data
In addition to driving performance improvements through our requirements and assessments, we are also working to drive improvements through environmental performance metrics and target setting. This provides a more continuous understanding of how suppliers are performing in this area and enables us to quantify the life cycle impacts and improvements.
Capacity building: helping suppliers do better
Our approach to working with suppliers is not just focused on assessments. We believe that remaining engaged with suppliers and providing support is equally important.
Industry collaboration
As well as working with our own suppliers, it is important that we look at supply chain issues from an industry perspective. Sharing our knowledge and experiences with other businesses and stakeholders in the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) sector can help us all improve our supply chain performance.
Human rights and the supply chain
Nokia recognises that we have specific human rights responsibilities throughout our supply chain. Our aim is to ensure that all our suppliers demonstrate ethical labour practices, maintain high standards of health and safety, and treat their workforce with dignity and respect.