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  • Overall approach
    1/10
    • Overarching commitment on deforestation
      0/4
    • Signatory to an initiative tackling deforestation
      0/1
    • Awareness of the value of forests
      1/1
      Awareness
      Yes
      1/1
      “At the same time, we need to limit the impact of our food production on the climate and the environment. If we want to feed all those mouths in a sustainable way, we need to produce our food more efficiently. With this we can hopefully reduce excessive land use, which causes deforestation, and protect important and vulnerable ecosystems.”
    • Deforestation as a business risk
      0/1
    • High-level management of deforestion
      0/1
    • Executive compensation linked to deforestation
    • Target to reduce emissions from land-use change
      0/1
    • Reporting on emissions from land-use change
      0/1
    • Disclosure of conservation activity
    • Disclosure of reforestation activity
    • Target to reduce emissions in scope 1/2
  • Commodity score
    17/90
    • Palm oil
      20/90
      • Commitment Strength
        5/17
        • Commodity-specific deforestation commitment
          5/9.5
          • Commitment details
            Zero-gross deforestation
            4/6
            Commodity-specific deforestation commitment
            Zero-gross deforestation
            4/6
            When was this commitment set?: 2022

            Which certification schemes are used?: RSPO
            "In 2025, all De Heus Animal Nutrition business units will use certified palm (either RSPO or suppliers with a verifiable zero deforestation policy)"
          • Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            No
            0/2
            Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            No
            0/2
            What subsidiaries are explicitly included?: Animal Nutrition Business

            If no, what is excluded?: Product line
            "In 2025, all De Heus Animal Nutrition business units will use certified palm (either RSPO or suppliers with a verifiable zero deforestation policy)"
          • Target date
            2025
            0.8/1
            Target date
            2025
            0.8/1
            What actions or steps are identified for time-bound implementation?: RSPO Certification
            "In 2025, all De Heus Animal Nutrition business units will use certified palm (either RSPO or suppliers with a verifiable zero deforestation policy)"
          • Interim target date
            NA (target date current or achieved or 2023)
            0.5/0.5
            Interim target date
            NA (target date current or achieved or 2023)
            0.5/0.5
            What date is given for the interim milestone?: NA
            "For our animal feeds in the Netherlands, we make use of responsibly produced palm oil. This is in line with the collective agreement that has been made within Nevedi. Nevedi sees to it that all affiliated animal feed producers use responsibly produced palm oil. This way, the Dutch animal feed industry ensures that the covenant with the parties of the Sustainable Palm Oil Task Force is fully adhered to."
        • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
          0/7.5
          • Commitment details
            No traceability commitment
            0/4
          • Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            No
            0/2
          • Target date
            Post 2050 or no target date
            0/1
          • Interim target date
            No
            0/0.5
      • Associated Human Rights Abuses
        3/17
        • Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          3/3
          Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          3/3
          Other workers' rights commitments: Living wage; Only work legal working hours; Guaranteed safe and healthy workspaces

          Details of commitment: ILO; Discrimination; Forced labour; Child labour; Freedom of association

          How far back in the supply chain does this commitment apply?: Tier 1
          "De Heus encourages that all its Suppliers: [...] Never use or tolerate the use of human trafficking, forced labori, or child labor as defined by the International Labour Organization (ILO) ii [...] Foster an inclusive work environment that is free of harassment and discrimination [...] It is important to De Heus that its Suppliers respect and support the free association of labour and employee rights to join a trade union where allowable by law [..] We expect that our Suppliers do not pay less than the minimum wage that is defined in national and local laws. When these laws are not defined, suppliers will pay a reasonable wage that allows employees to at least provide for their basic needs. Suppliers will adhere to reasonable working hours and other working conditions (such as safety, health and social security) that follow the local standards and laws"
        • Inclusion of small-scale farmers
          No
          0/2
        • Gender equality in the supply chain
          No commitment
          0/2
        • Commitment to remediation
          No
          0/1
        • Commitment to test Free, Prior and Informed Consent
          No
          0/3
        • Commitment to respect customary rights to land, resources, and territory
          No
          0/3
        • Zero-tolerance approach to violence and threats
          No
          0/3
      • Implementation and Reporting
        12/56
        • Reporting proportion of compliant volumes
          0/0
        • Reporting is independently verified
          Yes, using a third-party verification scheme or certification scheme
          2/2
          Reporting is independently verified
          Yes, using a third-party verification scheme or certification scheme
          2/2
          "In 2025, all De Heus Animal Nutrition business units will use certified palm (either RSPO or suppliers with a verifiable zero deforestation policy)"
        • Suppliers aligned with deforestation commitments across supply chain
          No
          0/3
        • Deforestation cut off date
          No
          0/2
        • Collaborative actions
          No
          0/2
        • Jurisdictional approach focused on sustainable land use
          No
          0/2
        • Risk assessments for forest risk
          No
          0/2
        • Operations assessed to comply with law
          Yes
          2/2
          Operations assessed to comply with law
          Yes
          2/2
          "De Heus encourages its Suppliers to comply with all relevant regulatory requirements, the national and international laws and regulations that apply to good governance. Suppliers must have good governance that is based on integrity and facilitates the continuity of the company with regard to all areas of their business and its operations."[...]"De Heus has the right to verify compliance of this Code at the Supplier by periodic company visits and by requesting business reports. When it becomes apparent that a Supplier has structurally deviated from the Code, this will have consequences for the continuation of the relationship between the Supplier and De Heus. "
        • Accessible grievance mechanism
          No
          0/4
        • Report volumes of commodity sourced/used
          Reporting total volume
          3/3
          Report volumes of commodity sourced/used
          Reporting total volume
          3/3
          What is the non-DCF commodity volume sourced from known production areas, and proportion of total supply chain volume this represents?: NA

          Reporting non-certified/non-compliant volume: 75125 Metric Tons

          What product types/sectors is this in?: NA

          Reporting certified/compliant volume: 3750.0 Metric Tons

          Total volume: 78875 Metric Tons
          In the 2020 RSPO ACOP report De Heus state they used 78875 Metric Tons of palm oil that year.
        • Monitor compliance for labour rights and FPIC
          No
          0/5
        • Monitor compliance for zero tolerance approach and customary rights
          No
          0/5
        • Downstream: Reporting suppliers
          No
          0/4
        • Downstream: Monitor compliance in supply chain
          Yes, for its suppliers
          2/4
          Downstream: Monitor compliance in supply chain
          Yes, for its suppliers
          2/4
          For what percentage of suppliers does the company use/rely on external mechanisms to monitor compliance?: NA

          For what percent of suppliers does the company directly monitor compliance of production or processing operations?: NA

          What percentage of the company's supply chain volume does that represent?: NA

          How is compliance monitored?: Internal monitoring and verification systems

          How frequently is compliance assessed?: When non-compliance is apparent

          For what percentage of the commodity sourced by the company is deforestation/conversion monitored at the farm level on production units known to be in the company's supply chain?: NA
          "De Heus believes it is important that its Suppliers protect the health and safety of citizens and the animals we feed and expect our Suppliers to: Strive to reduce environmental impact through efforts such as ending deforestation, minimizing greenhouse gas emissions and waste, and using resources efficiently"[...]"De Heus has the right to verify compliance of this Code at the Supplier by periodic company visits and by requesting business reports. The Supplier declares to comply and fully cooperate in this research and the implementation of improvement plans. Suppliers are expected to notify De Heus contract managers when informed the Code has been breached and initiate corrective action. When it becomes apparent that a Supplier has structurally deviated from the Code, this will have consequences for the continuation of the relationship between the Supplier and De Heus. We expect our suppliers to:To provide insight in operational processes, chains and performance related to societal achievements. Transparency enlarges mutual trust and allows for insight in possible improvements therefore De Heus will provide the same information upon request Employ appropriate quality audit and compliance processes for matters such as product, food, and feed safety, worker health and safety, and labor and employment in accordance with national/ local regulations."
        • Downstream: Reporting hectares of deforestation
          No
          0/4
        • Downstream: Engagement with non-compliant suppliers
          Engage with suppliers with a time-bound threat of exclusion
          2/2
          Downstream: Engagement with non-compliant suppliers
          Engage with suppliers with a time-bound threat of exclusion
          2/2
          Does the company engage non-compliant indirect suppliers in order to address and remedy non-compliance?: No

          Does the company work with the non-compliant supplier to develop an implementation plan to remedy associated harms or non-compliance?: No

          What criteria does the policy specify for blacklisting or exclusion?: "when an issue cannot be corrected or a Supplier Partner is unwilling to engage, we reserve the right to end our relationship."

          What type of support does the company offer to its suppliers to help them achieve compliance with commitments?: Identifying potential improvements

          Does the company commit to engage with rightsholders, Indigenous peoples and local communities when developing the implementation plan?: No
          Supplier code includes deforestation targets: "Strive to reduce environmental impact through efforts such as ending deforestation" "De Heus welcomes an open dialogue about meeting the criteria of this Supplier Code of Conduct and expects all suppliers to reflect the willingness to mitigate nonconformities. When there is a concern, our practice is to work with the Supplier Partner. We may be able to help identify possible improvements. However, when an issue cannot be corrected or a Supplier Partner is unwilling to engage, we reserve the right to end our relationship."
        • Downstream: Disclosure of non-compliant suppliers
          No disclosure
          0/2
    • Soy
      19/90
      • Commitment Strength
        3/17
        • Commodity-specific deforestation commitment
          3/9.5
          • Commitment details
            Credible certification scheme
            2/6
            Commodity-specific deforestation commitment
            Credible certification scheme
            2/6
            When was this commitment set?: 2015. 2021

            Which certification schemes are used?: RTRS

            Does the company commitment also explicitly apply to hidden/indirect soy?: No
            "It has been agreed that we will also use sustainable soy in our factories in the rest of the European Union by 2025 at the latest."[...]"In 2025, all De Heus Animal Nutrition business units will use certified soy (in compliance with the FEFAC Soy Guidelines)"[...]"De Heus believes it is important that its Suppliers protect the health and safety of citizens and the animals we feed and expect our Suppliers to: Strive to reduce environmental impact through efforts such as ending deforestation, minimizing greenhouse gas emissions and waste, and using resources efficiently"[...]"De Heus has now taken a major step in this respect by being the first animal feed supplier to cover 100% of the soy for its laying poultry feeds for the Dutch market with responsible soy that meets the RTRS criteria."
          • Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            No
            0/2
            Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            No
            0/2
            What subsidiaries are explicitly included?: Poultry feed

            If no, what is excluded?: Product line
            "It has been agreed that we will also use sustainable soy in our factories in the rest of the European Union by 2025 at the latest."[...]"In 2025, all De Heus Animal Nutrition business units will use certified soy (in compliance with the FEFAC Soy Guidelines)"[...]"De Heus believes it is important that its Suppliers protect the health and safety of citizens and the animals we feed and expect our Suppliers to: Strive to reduce environmental impact through efforts such as ending deforestation, minimizing greenhouse gas emissions and waste, and using resources efficiently"[...]"De Heus has now taken a major step in this respect by being the first animal feed supplier to cover 100% of the soy for its laying poultry feeds for the Dutch market with responsible soy that meets the RTRS criteria."
          • Target date
            2025
            0.8/1
            Target date
            2025
            0.8/1
            What actions or steps are identified for time-bound implementation?: Comply with FEFAC Guidelines
            "It has been agreed that we will also use sustainable soy in our factories in the rest of the European Union by 2025 at the latest."
          • Interim target date
            NA (target date current or achieved or 2023)
            0.5/0.5
            Interim target date
            NA (target date current or achieved or 2023)
            0.5/0.5
            What date is given for the interim milestone?: Current
            "De Heus has now taken a major step in this respect by being the first animal feed supplier to cover 100% of the soy for its laying poultry feeds for the Dutch market with responsible soy that meets the RTRS criteria."
        • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
          0/7.5
          • Commitment details
            No traceability commitment
            0/4
          • Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            No
            0/2
          • Target date
            Post 2050 or no target date
            0/1
          • Interim target date
            No
            0/0.5
      • Associated Human Rights Abuses
        3/17
        • Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          3/3
          Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          3/3
          How far back in the supply chain does this commitment apply?: Tier 1

          Other workers' rights commitments: Living wage; Only work legal working hours; Guaranteed safe and healthy workspaces

          Details of commitment: Discrimination; Forced labour; Child labour; Freedom of association
          "De Heus encourages that all its Suppliers: [...] Never use or tolerate the use of human trafficking, forced labori, or child labor as defined by the International Labour Organization (ILO) ii [...] Foster an inclusive work environment that is free of harassment and discrimination [...] It is important to De Heus that its Suppliers respect and support the free association of labour and employee rights to join a trade union where allowable by law"
        • Inclusion of small-scale farmers
          No
          0/2
        • Gender equality in the supply chain
          No commitment
          0/2
        • Commitment to remediation
          No
          0/1
        • Commitment to test Free, Prior and Informed Consent
          No
          0/3
        • Commitment to respect customary rights to land, resources, and territory
          No
          0/3
        • Zero-tolerance approach to violence and threats
          No
          0/3
      • Implementation and Reporting
        13/56
        • Reporting proportion of compliant volumes
          0/0
        • Reporting is independently verified
          Yes, using a third-party verification scheme or certification scheme
          2/2
          Reporting is independently verified
          Yes, using a third-party verification scheme or certification scheme
          2/2
          Which processes or groups does the company use for third party verification?: RTRS

          Which tools, approaches, third-party verification, including certification, schemes are used?: RTRS

          For what percent of the company's supply volume is third-party verification of performance relative to commitments conducted?: NA

          What methods are used for verification?: RTRS

          Is the performance of compliance of some suppliers, sources, or origins not verified, and if so why not?: NA

          What percent of the company's supply volume is verified using company verification systems?: NA
        • Suppliers aligned with deforestation commitments across supply chain
          No
          0/3
        • Deforestation cut off date
          No
          0/2
        • Collaborative actions
          Yes
          2/2
          Collaborative actions
          Yes
          2/2
          What is the nature of that participation?: Attending & contributing to meetings

          What initiatives does the company participate in?: FEFAC Covenant 'Sustainable Soy'
          "With the signature of the FEFAC-covenant ‘Sustainable Soy’, de Heus takes an important step towards the use of sustainably sourced soy inside all of its factories inside the European Union. The covenant aims to have all soy in EU-registered livestock feed producers in 2025 be sustainably sourced."
        • Jurisdictional approach focused on sustainable land use
          No
          0/2
        • Risk assessments for forest risk
          No
          0/2
        • Operations assessed to comply with law
          Yes
          2/2
          Operations assessed to comply with law
          Yes
          2/2
          "De Heus encourages its Suppliers to comply with all relevant regulatory requirements, the national and international laws and regulations that apply to good governance. Suppliers must have good governance that is based on integrity and facilitates the continuity of the company with regard to all areas of their business and its operations."[...]"De Heus has the right to verify compliance of this Code at the Supplier by periodic company visits and by requesting business reports. When it becomes apparent that a Supplier has structurally deviated from the Code, this will have consequences for the continuation of the relationship between the Supplier and De Heus. "
        • Accessible grievance mechanism
          No
          0/4
        • Report volumes of commodity sourced/used
          Reporting total volume
          3/3
          Report volumes of commodity sourced/used
          Reporting total volume
          3/3
          Total volume: 341.671 mt

          What product types/sectors is this in?: Animal Feed Processing

          Reporting non-certified/non-compliant volume: NA

          What is the non-DCF commodity volume sourced from known production areas, and proportion of total supply chain volume this represents?: NA

          Reporting certified/compliant volume: NA
          In 2020 165.000 tonnes of soy was certified RTRS out of their total volume which was 341.671 mt.
        • Monitor compliance for labour rights and FPIC
          No
          0/5
        • Monitor compliance for zero tolerance approach and customary rights
          No
          0/5
        • Downstream: Reporting suppliers
          No
          0/4
        • Downstream: Monitor compliance in supply chain
          Yes, for its suppliers
          2/4
          Downstream: Monitor compliance in supply chain
          Yes, for its suppliers
          2/4
          What percentage of the company's supply chain volume does that represent?: NA

          For what percentage of suppliers does the company use/rely on external mechanisms to monitor compliance?: NA

          For what percent of suppliers does the company directly monitor compliance of production or processing operations?: NA

          How frequently is compliance assessed?: When non-compliance is apparent

          How is compliance monitored?: Internal monitoring and verification systems

          For what percentage of the commodity sourced by the company is deforestation/conversion monitored at the farm level on production units known to be in the company's supply chain?: NA
          "De Heus believes it is important that its Suppliers protect the health and safety of citizens and the animals we feed and expect our Suppliers to: Strive to reduce environmental impact through efforts such as ending deforestation, minimizing greenhouse gas emissions and waste, and using resources efficiently"[...]"De Heus has the right to verify compliance of this Code at the Supplier by periodic company visits and by requesting business reports. The Supplier declares to comply and fully cooperate in this research and the implementation of improvement plans. Suppliers are expected to notify De Heus contract managers when informed the Code has been breached and initiate corrective action. When it becomes apparent that a Supplier has structurally deviated from the Code, this will have consequences for the continuation of the relationship between the Supplier and De Heus. We expect our suppliers to:To provide insight in operational processes, chains and performance related to societal achievements. Transparency enlarges mutual trust and allows for insight in possible improvements therefore De Heus will provide the same information upon request Employ appropriate quality audit and compliance processes for matters such as product, food, and feed safety, worker health and safety, and labor and employment in accordance with national/ local regulations."
        • Downstream: Reporting hectares of deforestation
          No
          0/4
        • Downstream: Engagement with non-compliant suppliers
          Engage with suppliers but with no time-bound threat of exclusion
          1/2
          Downstream: Engagement with non-compliant suppliers
          Engage with suppliers but with no time-bound threat of exclusion
          1/2
          What type of support does the company offer to its suppliers to help them achieve compliance with commitments?: Collaboration means unclear

          What criteria does the policy specify for blacklisting or exclusion?: Failure to 'strive to reduce environmental impact through efforts such as ending deforestation'

          Does the company work with the non-compliant supplier to develop an implementation plan to remedy associated harms or non-compliance?: No

          Does the company engage non-compliant indirect suppliers in order to address and remedy non-compliance?: No

          Does the company commit to engage with rightsholders, Indigenous peoples and local communities when developing the implementation plan?: No
          "De Heus welcomes an open dialogue about meeting the criteria of this Supplier Code of Conduct and expects all suppliers to reflect the willingness to mitigate nonconformities. When there is a concern, our practice is to work with the Supplier Partner. We may be able to help identify possible improvements. However, when an issue cannot be corrected or a Supplier Partner is unwilling to engage, we reserve the right to end our relationship."
        • Downstream: Disclosure of non-compliant suppliers
          No disclosure
          0/2
    • Pulp & Paper *
      5/90
      • Commitment Strength
        0/17
        • Commodity-specific deforestation commitment
          0/9.5
          • Commitment details
            No commitment
            0/6
          • Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            No
            0/2
          • Target date
            Post 2050 or no target date
            0/1
          • Interim target date
            No
            0/0.5
        • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
          0/7.5
          • Commitment details
            No traceability commitment
            0/4
          • Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            No
            0/2
          • Target date
            Post 2050 or no target date
            0/1
          • Interim target date
            No
            0/0.5
      • Associated Human Rights Abuses
        3/17
        • Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          3/3
          Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          3/3
          Other workers' rights commitments: Living wage; Only work legal working hours; Guaranteed safe and healthy workspaces

          Details of commitment: ILO; Discrimination; Forced labour; Child labour; Freedom of association

          How far back in the supply chain does this commitment apply?: Tier 1
          "De Heus encourages that all its Suppliers: [...] Never use or tolerate the use of human trafficking, forced labori, or child labor as defined by the International Labour Organization (ILO) ii [...] Foster an inclusive work environment that is free of harassment and discrimination [...] It is important to De Heus that its Suppliers respect and support the free association of labour and employee rights to join a trade union where allowable by law"
        • Inclusion of small-scale farmers
          No
          0/2
        • Gender equality in the supply chain
          No commitment
          0/2
        • Commitment to remediation
          No
          0/1
        • Commitment to test Free, Prior and Informed Consent
          No
          0/3
        • Commitment to respect customary rights to land, resources, and territory
          No
          0/3
        • Zero-tolerance approach to violence and threats
          No
          0/3
      • Implementation and Reporting
        2/56
        • Reporting is independently verified
          No
          0/2
        • Suppliers aligned with deforestation commitments across supply chain
          No
          0/3
        • Deforestation cut off date
          No
          0/2
        • Collaborative actions
          No
          0/2
        • Jurisdictional approach focused on sustainable land use
          No
          0/2
        • Risk assessments for forest risk
          No
          0/2
        • Operations assessed to comply with law
          Yes
          2/2
          Operations assessed to comply with law
          Yes
          2/2
          "De Heus encourages its Suppliers to comply with all relevant regulatory requirements, the national and international laws and regulations that apply to good governance. Suppliers must have good governance that is based on integrity and facilitates the continuity of the company with regard to all areas of their business and its operations."[...]"De Heus has the right to verify compliance of this Code at the Supplier by periodic company visits and by requesting business reports. When it becomes apparent that a Supplier has structurally deviated from the Code, this will have consequences for the continuation of the relationship between the Supplier and De Heus. "
        • Accessible grievance mechanism
          No
          0/4
        • Report volumes of commodity sourced/used
          No reporting
          0/3
        • Monitor compliance for labour rights and FPIC
          No
          0/5
        • Monitor compliance for zero tolerance approach and customary rights
          No
          0/5
        • Downstream: Reporting suppliers
          No
          0/4
        • Downstream: Monitor compliance in supply chain
          No
          0/4
        • Downstream: Reporting hectares of deforestation
          No
          0/4
        • Downstream: Engagement with non-compliant suppliers
          No engagement or exclusion
          0/2
        • Downstream: Disclosure of non-compliant suppliers
          No disclosure
          0/2
  • * commodity scores for which a company is not a powerbroker are given half the weighting of other commodities in total scores

  • Commitment strength
    3/17
    Avg. score
  • Implementation and Reporting
    10/56
    Avg. score
  • Associated Human Rights Abuses
    3/17
    Avg. score

Profile

De Heus is a Dutch conglomerate producing animal feed and active in more than 50 countries around the world. The group produces animal feed for poultry, cattle, pigs, and other animals, as well as providing support services and company solutions. It is one of the largest animal feed producers in the Netherlands and the world. De Heus is selected as a powerbroker for palm oil, soy and paper packaging.

Sector
Industry sector 
Agricultural Products, Paper Packaging
Segments
Manufacturer
HQ
HQ 
Netherlands
Company Type
Company type 
CO
Collective Commitments
Consumer Goods Forum member
New York Declaration on Forests signatory

Top Brands

De Heus

How we assess the Forest 500

To ensure deforestation free supply chains, companies need to adopt and implement timebound and measurable policies for forest risk commodities.

All assessments use policies published on company websites, some links may have changed or been removed since the time of assessment.

Disclaimer

This assessment has been carried out following the methodology developed for the Forest 500 project, available here. Please see our disclaimer applicable to all information contained within this site and our terms and conditions for use of data presented on this site.

All assessments use policies published on company and financial institution websites, and while we endeavor to keep them updated some links may have changed or been removed since the time of assessment.

Please contact us with any concerns or feedback about this or other assessments included in the Forest 500.