Supply Chain
At Cisco, we rely on more than 600 suppliers worldwide to manufacture, test, ship, and recycle the products we design. We demand the same high standards from our suppliers, and their suppliers, that we practice every day with regard to ethics, labor practices, health and safety, and the environment.
We also collaborate with industry groups to raise standards and build sustainability capabilities throughout the entire information and communications technology (ICT) supply chain.
Through these efforts, we multiply our positive impact across our industry, its employees, their communities, and the planet far beyond Cisco's walls.
Cisco's "supplier scorecards" help us better monitor supplier performance and collaborate with our supply chain partners, such as D.W. Morgan, to optimize environmental and labor improvements.
Our Commitment
Cisco has adopted the Electronic Industry Citizenship Coalition (EICC) Code of Conduct for our company and our suppliers and partners. We engage with our suppliers, incentivize them to adopt sustainable and responsible business practices, and require them to apply Cisco's standards with their own suppliers. All suppliers must agree to the Cisco Supplier Ethics Policy, as well. Our program to increase inclusion and diversity of our global suppliers is an essential part of our company-wide commitment to diversity.
Our Strategy
At Cisco, we multiply our impact on people, communities, and the planet throughout the supply chain by:
- Embedding sustainability in our core business processes. We embed our guiding principles into our routine business practices at every stage of the product lifecycle. Sustainability is a key criterion in our assessment of and ongoing relationships with suppliers.
- Engaging with suppliers. We work closely with suppliers to communicate our Code of Conduct requirements, monitor compliance, improve their performance, and build their capacity. This includes regular audits, one-on-one training and consultations, and sharing of best practices.
- Working with industry groups. Cisco collaborates with other ICT companies to influence the development of industry standards; share resources; streamline reporting and auditing processes; and provide global leadership on topics such as conflict minerals, labor practices, and human trafficking.
2012 CSR Report: Supply Chain
Download the Supply Chain section of the 2012 CSR Report.
Environmental Sustainability
Cisco strives to reduce the environmental footprint of its products and operations. Learn more.