Relations with suppliers

Italgas is deeply committed to its supply chain. Suppliers of goods and services are increasingly integrated into our business model: they are directly involved in the “core” processes of developing and maintaining the infrastructure network and contribute to the creation of value.

We therefore demand not only competence and professionalism from our suppliers, but also adherence to our corporate values and principles. Suppliers must confirm in their contractual documentation that they are aware of our Model 231 and the principles of the Italgas’ Code of Ethics, of the Suppliers’ Code of Ethics and of the Italgas Vendor List Regulations,  thereby undertaking to comply with regulations on occupational health and safety, environmental protection and international standards on employment rights.

In the various stages of the search for suppliers, we operate with great care and scrupulousness, starting with the qualification process and the analysis of the applications received.

Many elements are assessed during the qualification process, and include:

• technical and management skills.
• economic and financial reliability.
• ethical requirements.
• commitment to the fight against corruption.
• environmental protection and conservation.
• promotion of healthy and safe working conditions.
• the absence of forced labour and economic exploitation of children.

For the most critical classes of goods, the procedures include fundamental and highly rigorous requirements for qualification, such as the supplier having management systems certified to international standards.

The qualification process is part of the broader Vendor Management system, which also includes the monitoring of suppliers through audits, inspection visits and performance evaluation processes set up with input from the units in charge of managing their contracts. The system is designed to protect the integrity of sustainability in the supply chain: if a supplier does not meet the agreed standards, Italgas can place them under observation, restrict, suspend or even revoke the qualification.

So that suppliers/subcontractors undertake to comply with the principles and values considered inalienable and the most rigorous reputational requirements, listed in the Italgas Code of Ethics and in the Suppliers’ Code of Ethics, we have prepared a document called the “Ethics and Integrity Pact”, which represents a preventive measure against any criminal infiltration attempts and corrupt practices.

Economic operators who aspire directly or indirectly to receive contracts from our group must sign and accept the Ethics and Integrity Pact, undertaking to adapt their conduct to the principles of loyalty, transparency and fairness and to comply with and maintain over time the principles laid down in the Italgas Code of Ethics and reiterated in the Suppliers’ Code of Ethics.

Italgas is subject, for a number of product classes, to application of the procedures set out in the Contracts Code (Legislative Decree 50/2016).