BEIJING, China–Today, Wal-Mart is hosting a gathering of over 1,000 leading suppliers, Chinese officials and NGOs (non-governmental organizations) here to outline a series of “aggressive goals” and expectations to foster a more environmental and socially responsible global supply chain.
At the summit, Wal-Mart laid out a series of requirements for companies that want to do business with the world’s largest retailer. These include compliance with environmental laws and regulations, and a willingness to improve energy efficiency and use fewer natural resources.
Wal-Mart said it will partner with vendors to improve energy efficiency in the top 200 Chinese factories it sources from by 20 percent in 2012.
Wal-Mart is also requiring all direct import suppliers and suppliers of private label and non-branded products to provide the name and location of every factory they use by 2009.