We are committed to environmentally and socially compatible production and sustainable consumption. Therefore, we have for years relied on proven standards and Coop guidelines that must be observed by our suppliers in addition to legal requirements.
We impose Coop-specific requirements on our suppliers for sustainability, which are documented in guidelines. Those guidelines apply to the whole range and contain additional requirements for our own-label brands. Even tougher social, ethical and environmental requirements apply to our own-label sustainability brands such as Naturaplan, Naturaline, Oecoplan, Pro Montagna and Ünique as well as the Naturafarm quality label.
Our Sustainable Sourcing guideline serves as the basis for all business partners that produce or process goods, or provide services, for the Coop channels. Coop's own manufacturing companies must also observe the guideline. This Guideline also shows the way for other Coop Group departments.
In the context of alcohol, tobacco and electronic media we take our responsibility to protect the young very seriously. We have therefore signed the Pan-European Game Information Code of Conduct (PEGI) for computer games and the Code of Conduct of the Swiss Video Association (SVV) for videos and other audio-visual media. Our employees at the till carry a big responsibility. In light of this, they attend regular training and are well-supported by special devices at the till. Test purchases show that these measures are being effectively implemented.
Since the launch of Naturaplan more than 20 years ago, we have worked closely with Bio Suisse, the umbrella organization of Swiss organic farmers.
All Naturaplan products are produced in a particularly natural, humane manner and processed using methods that alter them as little as possible, so that they meet the strict Bio Suisse bud guidelines.
The Naturafarm quality seal is used on meat, meat products and eggs produced according to clearly defined guidelines under particularly humane conditions. The animals' well-being is the focus of farming and husbandry. Strict requirements apply to our Naturafarm quality seal which are much more stringent that the Swiss Animal Protection Act. Moreover, Naturafarm farms undergo regular, unannounced inspections by Swiss Animal Protection (SAP).
The Animal Feed Guideline seeks to ensure the humane and healthy development of animals, consumer safety and the optimum quality of food. We also pursue the environmentally sustainable and ethically acceptable manufacture of animal products.
In our fish and seafood range we sell only farmed or wild-caught products that are farmed or caught according to sustainable methods. Wherever available, we give preference to products from organic or ASC-certified farms and MSC-certified fisheries for wild-caught products. We support fisheries and farms that are not yet certified with their application for certification.
We are committed to using sustainable palm oil. We therefore require Bio Suisse-certified palm oil to be used in all our own-label food brands. If possible, palm oil in own-label food brands can be replaced with other oils and fats, preferably of domestic origin. If palm oil is replaced with other tropical oils or fats, these must be certified according to Bio Suisse, Fairtrade or the Rainforest Alliance. Palm oil in our own-label non-food brands must meet at least the RSPO Mass Balance standard. We also require all our business partners to ensure that the palm oil in our own-label brands is traceable and that the supply chain is transparent.
Through our own-label brand for mountain products, we support a viable mountain economy in Switzerland. The raw materials must come from and be processed in the mountain regions. Furthermore, a contribution is made to the Coop Mountain Areas Sponsorship Programme from the proceeds of each Pro Montagna product sold, to further the development of the mountain regions.
Products marketed under the Ünique brand deviate from the norm in shape and size (i.e., their outward appearance, which may also be caused by damage from bad weather). For this reason, they could otherwise not be sold by Coop. The products are in no way negatively affected in terms of culinary quality, and they must be perfect with regard to sensory characteristics in any case.
Under the Miini Region quality label, we sell over 3 000 products that are regionally grown and produced. In composite food products, at least 80 % of the agricultural raw materials must originate from the region concerned, as must the main raw material and raw material that gives the product its name.
We are committed to using pesticides in a responsible manner. This is why we now prohibit all of our suppliers of own-label branded foodstuffs from using a total of 143 pesticide active substances which are particularly harmful for people, animals and the environment. Furthermore, we limit the number of detectable residues of pesticide active substances on fruit, vegetables, flowers, plants and fresh herbs.
Naturaline represents clothes, textiles and cosmetic products that are produced by particularly ecological and socially acceptable methods at all stages of production, according to clearly defined guidelines. Our Naturaline textiles are made from organically grown natural fibres that satisfy fair-trade principles. They are also CO2-neutral along the entire value chain.
The Oecoplan range of environmentally friendly products and services for home, office and garden was launched nearly 30 years ago. The responsible use of soil, water and air as resources, and social standards for production, are at the heart of the Oecoplan Guideline.
We are committed to the sustainable use of forests, to prevent overexploitation and protect diversity and the indigenous people. That's why we support the quality label of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and are working towards a switch to FSC for wood products. For paper products, recycling has utmost priority.
This guideline sets out our social, environmental and toxicological requirements in farming and in the processing of our own-label textiles and leather products. Our aim is also to reduce and, ultimately, eliminate critical chemicals in the supply chain. These goals will be achieved incrementally by 2020.