Our policies

At Asda we’re always striving to work in the most responsible way possible and that means reducing wherever we can any negative impact we might have on the people and environment around us.

We’ve set out a number of policies which guide how we operate:

Summary of GSCOP Annual Compliance Report 2010-2011

ASDA Stores Ltd
Summary of GSCOP Annual Compliance Report 2010-2011

On 4 February 2010, a new regulation called The Groceries (Supply Chain Practices) Market Investigation Order 2009 (let’s call it the “Order”) came into force.

It implemented something called the Groceries Supply Code of Practice (let’s call that the “Code”) which applies to certain grocery retailers, including us – Asda – in our dealings with suppliers.

As part of our compliance with this Order, we’re required to submit an annual compliance report to the Office of Fair Trading (“OFT”) to detail our compliance with the Code, any alleged breaches of Code and any disputes with suppliers. We’re also required to post this notice on our website.

We’re pleased to say we delivered our first report, covering the period from 4 February 2010 to 31 December 2011, to the OFT on 30 April 2012.

Before the Code was implemented, and during the reporting period, we took several steps to achieve compliance.

These included appointing a Code Compliance Officer, amending our terms and conditions with suppliers to incorporate the Code and providing comprehensive training on the Code to all members of our buying team. That’s involved training for all new members of the buying team and a refresher e-learning module which was rolled out to our buyers at the end of last year.

We received a small number of alleged breaches of the Code during the reporting period. These have been resolved, withdrawn or are currently being dealt with internally.

We’re pleased to say that because, in our view, of the effective way that we work with suppliers to deal with their concerns, there have been no instances of a supplier escalating their concern to Asda’s Code Compliance Officer directly to raise a dispute (as defined in Article 11(2) and (3) of the Order). Nor have there been any instances of disputes referred to arbitration (as set out in Article 11 of the Order).

Compliance with the Order and Code is really important to Asda, and we will continue to take steps to achieve compliance to the fullest degree.

If you would like to find out more about the Groceries Supply Code of Practice, you can do so at www.competition-commission.org.uk

Posted in Our policies on 30 April 2012

Giving you a healthier choice

We know you want to be able to choose products that are the healthier option for you and your family.

That’s why we’re always working to find new ways to make our products better for you. Whether that’s cutting out the nasties like artificial flavours and colours, or just making it easier to find the products you’re after.

Here’s a few of the things we’ve been working on:

Cutting back on pesticides

We’re trying to cut out the number of pesticides used in growing our products. We’re working with organisations like LEAF (Linking Environment and Farming) to reduce the use of chemical pesticides. We’re also exploring other more natural ways to keep pests under control, like using ladybirds to combat the spread of insects on our cabbage crops. This means we can provide a great range of pesticide-free products, like our Good Natured fruit and veg to enjoy.

09 December 2011

We're going local

At Asda, we’re committed to working with local suppliers. This helps our local communities while bringing you a fresh and tasty product.

Our range of local produce includes award winning regional meats, local delicacies, cheeses, yoghurts, sausages, pickles, ice cream, cakes and beer.

We think it’s important that we help out local businesses, while still being able to bring you the best quality products at everyday low prices.

Plenty more fish in the sea

Asda is committed to the sustainable sourcing of fish and seafood. To assist us in this, we have partnered with a leading fisheries organisation the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership.

All our own brand chilled fish suppliers are now assessing their fish sourcing with an external evaluation organisation, the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFP).

We’re supporting SFP programmes at a global and regional level, including being active in supporting a number of existing Fisheries Improvement Projects, e.g. supporting the moves by SFP and AIPCE (the European Fish Processors Association) to apply control documents to the Barents Sea Cod and Haddock fisheries, which dramatically reduced levels of IUU (Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported) and led to parts of the fishery obtaining MSC certification.

Find out more about what we're doing to source sustainable fish

21 February 2011