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Thecreationofstrong,lastingpartnerships
with suppliers depends on transparency
and clarity in the processes of selection
and performance monitoring, prioritizing
equal opportunities and reward for merit.
For the purposes of qualification, Costa
Cruises uses objective evaluation criteria
to assess technical aspects and the sound
economic footing of suppliers, as well as
their ethical, environmental, safety and
qualityrecord,takingintoaccountthelevel
of critical importance of each particular
supplier. The accreditation process is
completed by assigning “unconditional”
or “conditional” qualification; the latter
means that the candidate does not meet
all of the evaluation criteria in compliance
with set standards
1
.
To become an official supplier, it is
necessary to sign a contract and pledge
to abide by Costa’s
Business Partner
Code of Conduct and Ethics
, thereby
undertaking to meet the Company’s
expectations for legal compliance and
ethical behavior. Given thecomplexityand
interdependence of the logistics chain,
Costa is extremely demanding with its
suppliers especially in terms of reliability
when it comes to ensuring guaranteed
deliveries in the various ports of call.
By maintaining a continuous dialogue,
there is a better understanding of each
party’s needs and the Company can
consolidate its partnerships with these
stakeholders. In this regard, mechanisms
are in place for performance monitoring
and the sharing of improvement actions
or measures to bring a supplier into line
with set standards by means of annual
assessments or management audits
dealing with all the main aspects of the
relationship with the supplier.
In addition to their performance levels,
the Company’s strategic suppliers are
monitored with regard to economic,
financial and other factors that could
potentially have an impact on business
continuity with Costa Cruises. In 2015,
305 suppliers were subjected to financial
monitoring. The outcome of the checks
was largely favorable and there were no
cases of suspension or termination of a
contract.
A clear and
transparent relationship
1
““Conditional” qualification means that
there will be a limitation on the amount
of business that can be assigned to the
supplier concerned. Initial qualification
also depends on the outcome of a
screening procedure and confirmation
that the supplier does not belong to
one of the categories of entities with
which Costa Cruises, being a member
of Carnival Corporation, is not allowed
to engage in any business transactions
insofar as it is subject to the laws and
regulations implementing economic
sanctions programs administered by
the United States Department of the
Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets
Control
(OFAC Compliance Policy).
The increased sustainability of the supply
chain, linked to procurement of goods
and services worldwide, is an important
value, which is perceived first and
foremost by customers; at the same time,
it is also an objective bringing benefits
for the suppliers themselves, often
acting as a driver of innovation. In this
regard in 2015 Costa Cruises continued
to map sustainability issues concerning
ethical, social and environmental aspects
pertaining to the different categories
Sustainable
procurement initiatives