This page is not a complete description of Group policies and standards, but offers an overview of those likely to be of particular interest to stakeholders, with links to the documents.
Standards of Business Conduct
Our Standards of Business Conduct is a global policy of British American Tobacco, expressing the high standards of integrity we are committed to upholding. The Standards apply to all Group companies and employees and require high standards of behaviour and integrity wherever our businesses operate.
Each operating company in the Group must adopt the SoBC, or its own standards reflecting them, and each employee is expected to know and comply with their provisions. General Managers and Heads of Function formally confirm on an annual basis that their market or business unit has adequate procedures in place to support SoBC compliance, and continuous information on performance against the Standards is gathered and reported quarterly to the Board Audit Committee.
Standards of Business Conduct and Supplier Code
See also Standards of Business Conduct
Responsible Marketing Principles
Our Responsible Marketing Principles (RMP) govern our approach to marketing across our tobacco, nicotine and zero nicotine products and brands*. We believe tobacco and nicotine consumption is a choice for adults only. No one underage should ever smoke or use products containing tobacco or nicotine. Central to the RMP the requirement that our marketing is targeted at adult consumers only. The RMP are globally applicable and apply to all BAT companies, employees and anyone working on our behalf. We uphold the same high standards in every market we operate, even when they are stricter than local laws.
Adherence by our companies forms part of our regular internal audit process, supported by annual self-certification by management and Audit Committee review.
Responsible Marketing Principles (0.3 mb)
Employment Principles
Our Employment Principles build on our commitment to good employment practices and workplace related human rights. They set out a common approach to our companies’ development of policies and procedures, while recognising that each company must take account of local labour law and practice and the local political, economic and cultural context. All our companies have committed to the Employment Principles and, through our internal audit process, are required to demonstrate that they are embedding them in the workplace. Our auditing also monitors that our companies are strongly encouraging key suppliers to meet similar standards.
Employment Principles (0.1 mb)
Supplier Code of Conduct
Our Supplier Code of Conduct complements our Group Standards of Business Conduct by defining the minimum standards we expect our suppliers to adhere to in order to supply goods or services to BAT and any BAT Group company. This builds upon our long-standing commitment to operating to high standards of corporate conduct for both our own business operations and our wider supply chain. It also supports our continuing commitment to respect human rights and uphold international standards, including the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises.
Environment Principles
Our Environment Principles (the Principles) articulate our approach to managing the risks, impacts and opportunities of the BAT Group (the Group) on climate change, nature and circularity – three distinct yet complementary pillars of our sustainability strategy.
These Principles are supplementary to and support the application of the values and practices described in the Environment chapters of the Group’s Standards of Business Conduct and Supplier Code of Conduct.
See also Environment and climate change
Health and Safety Principles
Our Health and Safety Principles (the Principles), are aligned with international standards, such as the ILO Occupational Safety and Health Management Systems and ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety Management Standard.
The Principles also underpin and complement the values and practices outlined in the Health, Safety and Welfare chapters of the Group’s Standards of Business Conduct and the Human Rights chapter of the Group’s Supplier Code of Conduct.
Human Rights Principles
BAT’s Human Rights Principles (the Principles) set out the minimum standards to be applied across the BAT Group (the Group) in its management of human rights issues across its own business and supply chain.
These Principles also underpin and complement the values and practices outlined in the Human Rights chapters of the Group’s Standards of Business Conduct and Supplier Code of Conduct.
Group Quality Policy Statement
BAT’s Group Quality Policy Statement formalises how we strive to deliver defect-free products, processes and capabilities that create sustainable value for our brands while exceeding the expectations of adult consumers. It is the responsibility of the BAT leadership team at all levels to ensure the understanding and implementation of this policy by providing the necessary processes, practices, procedures, resources, and training.
Group Quality Policy Statement (70 kb)
Product Stewardship Framework
Our Product Stewardship framework set out the steps we take to ensure our products are developed and manufactured responsibly. It reflects BAT's commitment to have products that meet consistently high quality and safety standards and guides the development and testing of all our products, ensuring we have a rigorous and systematic approach.
* This does not include products which are 1) Medicinal or smoking cessation products; 2) Non-inhalation products which do not contain nicotine or tobacco and which do not utilise a brand that is or has been used for tobacco or nicotine products; and 3) Sold by the Wellbeing & Stimulation business of BAT or BTV investee company.
You might also be interested in
MORE IN: