EV Cargo’s Palletforce has become the first UK pallet distribution network to gain Sedex Members Ethical Trade Audit (SMETA) accreditation after successfully completing an audit around health and safety, environmental performance and business ethics.
SMETA is the world’s most widely used audit and is increasingly required by large consumer-focused businesses and blue-chip organisations to ensure suppliers are aligned on business ethics and meet their exacting standards around social and environmental performance.
The new accreditation ensures Palletforce and its members remain ahead of the competition by providing a commercial advantage when tendering for new business with large customers, and improving supplier engagement.
The SMETA audit facilitates compliance with existing and upcoming legislation and is a globally accepted accreditation, allowing Palletforce to be recognised as a socially and ethically compliant organisation across domestic and international markets.
Simon Bradbury, Palletforce Sales Director, said: “Large customers are increasingly focusing on the performance of their supply chain partners across a range of ESG topics to ensure their suppliers are aligned and can help them deliver their strategic ESG and sustainability targets.
“As the UK’s leading network, with multiple award wins across technology, sustainability and safety, it was important that we successfully achieved the SMETA accreditation to ensure Palletforce and its members benefit from the commercial advantages it delivers in a competitive marketplace.
“In an economy where labour standards, environmental performance and business ethics are increasingly prioritised in commercial decisions, we believe this global standard will ensure we continue to focus on delivering customer excellence across all areas of our business.”
