Published on January 15, 2023
Updated on May 6, 2025

By deploying a purchasing volume of over €6 billion from more than 35,000 suppliers of all sizes and in all business segments, the Group is consolidating its essential role in supporting major societal transitions.

La Poste Groupe obtained the RFAR (Responsible Supplier Relations and Purchasing) Label in September 2023, one year after signing the Responsible Supplier Relations and Purchasing (RFAR) Charter.

Beyond mere recognition, this label embodies the Group’s values by demonstrating its desire to create balanced relationships with its suppliers and guarantee responsible purchasing practices.

The Group is now part of a collaborative, committed and responsible approach, thus promoting progress and innovation for all.

Indeed, the RFAR Label reinforces the Group’s commitments made as part of the deployment of its Responsible Purchasing Policy. This policy is based on four fundamental and complementary pillars. In line with La Poste Groupe’s 2030 strategy, binding objectives and performance indicators are associated with each of these pillars.

La Poste Groupe shares and promotes the definition of a responsible purchase as set out by the international ISO 20400 standard, a standard in the area, as: “procurement that has the most positive environmental, social, and economic impacts on a whole life basis.”

Illustration des achats responsables

This policy is designed to promote mutual progress and innovation by linking various stakeholders with each stage: the prescriber of the purchase, the buyer, the supplier, and the end user.

La Poste Groupe’s Responsible Purchasing Policy is implemented in the purchasing process through operational frameworks and action plans. It aims to integrate the four pillars presented below into the various stages of the purchasing process.

Enforce and promote fundamental rights throughout supply chains

La Poste Groupe is committed to promoting fundamental rights and best labor practice in everything it does. Therefore, it is looking for suppliers who :

  • Respect fundamental rights, putting in place management, working conditions, and remuneration that show respect for human dignity ;

  • Implement actions to prevent and mitigate any risk of breaching these rights ;

  • Are involved in sector-specific initiatives designed to improve transparency and the fundamental rights of every stakeholder in their supply chain.

Reduce the negative impact of the Group’s purchases on the environment and encourage positive impacts

Each product or service procured has an impact on the environment, either directly (from the manufacturing stage of a product made from natural resources to its end of life) or indirectly (e.g., the purchase of software hosted on a remote server running on a continuous power source).

Ampoule avec des feuilles autour

In accordance with the objective of the Paris Agreement and in line with the United Nations Global Compact and its environmental policy, La Poste Groupe searches for suppliers that respect the principles of environmental protection across their entire supply chain.

It also prioritizes the purchase of sustainable and environmentally friendly products and services from responsible suppliers. Lastly, it strives to work with suppliers involved in sector-specific initiatives aiming to transform the entire life cycle of the products and services offered in order to meet the environmental challenges linked to climate change.

Foster social inclusion and contribute to the development of the economic and social fabric of the regions through the Group’s purchases

La Poste Groupe is committed to promoting diversity, combating all forms of exclusion, and improving social and regional cohesion across its entire supply chain in every region where it operates.

First of all, it strives to work with suppliers committed to employing long-term unemployed and contributing to developing the regions where they operate, especially in fragile regions.

Next, it facilitates access to its contracts for enterprises undertaking social initiatives.

Lastly, it encourages its suppliers to have a positive impact on inclusion in their region.

Photo de pièces de monnaie avec des arbres qui poussent dessus

Consolidate responsible and ethical relationships with the Group’s suppliers

The Group is committed to fostering collaborative and well-balanced partnerships with its suppliers based on mutual trust. These commitments must be respected by the Group’s employees and by the suppliers who agree to apply the same commitments with their subcontractors.

In order to comply with the regulations on the duty of care, the Group makes available to employees, suppliers, and subcontractors a whistle-blowing procedure related to human rights, personal health and safety, and the environment.

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