Download data
A Global Canopy project
Menu

Powerbroker for

Select an assessment year:

Download data
  • Overall approach
    3/12
    • Overarching commitment on deforestation
      0/4
      Commodity-specific commitment - commitment that does not apply to all of the commodities the company is exposed to
      0/4
      Commodities (if applicable): Timber; Pulp & Paper
      "The commitments described below provide the framework for continually improving the sustainability of our paper and wood-based product sourcing while taking into account market conditions (i.e. existing and expected future product availability and demand) and the constraints of good business practices... Protect global forest resources by progressively increasing the percentage of paper and woodbased products that are purchased as certified, preferably to the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)standard. If market conditions do not allow for the purchase of FSC or other certified products, we will seek to ensure products are sourced from non-controversial sources...Support the use of post-consumer recycled and/or sustainable alternative materials in products we purchase, where market conditions allow and where credible scientific evidence indicates these material choices will reduce environmental burdens versus the available alternatives...Source from suppliers who are committed to responsibly harvesting, manufacturing, and distributing paper and wood-based products...Promote sustainable paper and wood-based products by identifying products with more sustainable features across our sales channels and building awareness among customers of the meaning of these features so it is easy for customers to make more sustainable choices". 
      Open source document
    • Signatory to an initiative tackling deforestation
      0/1
    • Awareness of the value of forests
      1/1
      Yes
      1/1
      "FORESTS SUPPORT PEOPLE AND OUR PLANET...Regulate our climate, clean our water, refresh the air we breathe...Provide habitat for 80% of the terrestrial wildlife and plants around the world...Generate over $220 billion in forest products each year and economically support 1.6 billion people."
      Open source document
    • Deforestation as a business risk
      1/1
      Yes
      1/1
      Does the company recognise the risk as financial, operational, competition, reputational, or other? Please detail.: Operational
      "STAPLES COMMITMENT TO RESPONSIBLE FORESTRY...We know how important forests are to our planet. As the #1 seller of copy paper in North America, we want to make sure forests are managed responsibly"
      Open source document
    • High-level management of deforestion
      1/1
      Yes
      1/1
      Which commodities does it apply to?: Timber; Pulp & Paper

      How often does the committee or board meet to assess company's progress on addressing deforestation-related issues?: Not specified
      "Our sustainability efforts are managed by the Vice President of Environmental Affairs, who reports to the Chief Culture Officer, who, in turn, reports to the CEO.The Vice President of Environmental Affairs has global responsibility for sustainability and provides periodic updates to the Board of Directors, including meeting with our Audit Committee to advise them on environmental considerations in our company-wide risk management process"
      Open source document
    • Executive compensation linked to deforestation
    • Target to reduce emissions from land-use change
      0/2
    • Reporting on emissions from land-use change
      0/2
    • Disclosure of conservation activity
    • Disclosure of reforestation activity
    • Target to reduce emissions in scope 1/2
  • Commodity score
    28/88
    • Pulp & Paper
      29/88
      • Commitment Strength
        7/20
        • Commitment to protect priority forests
          3/8
          • Commitment details
            Credible certification scheme
            2/6
            Commitment to protect priority forests
            Credible certification scheme
            2/6
            Which certification schemes are used?: FSC
            "This policy applies to all paper and wood-based products sold by Staples and paper and wood-based products used internally by Staples including for construction, packaging, and marketing. For the purposes of this policy, “paper and wood-based products” refers to products containing solid wood, wood derived materials including veneers, plywood, medium density fiberboard (MDF), and other composite wood products, and/or any grades of paper-based materials. This policy also applies to common alternatives to wood-derived materials that may be sourced from – or whose sourcing could impact  natural forests, including bamboo, kenaf, and purpose grown crops and crop residues like bagasse and wheat straw...The commitments described below provide the framework for continually improving the sustainability of our paper and wood-based product sourcing while taking into account market conditions (i.e. existing and expected future product availability and demand) and the constraints of good business practices... Protect global forest resources by progressively increasing the percentage of paper and woodbased products that are purchased as certified, preferably to the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)standard. If market conditions do not allow for the purchase of FSC or other certified products, we will seek to ensure products are sourced from non-controversial sources...Support the use of post-consumer recycled and/or sustainable alternative materials in products we purchase, where market conditions allow and where credible scientific evidence indicates these material choices will reduce environmental burdens versus the available alternatives...Source from suppliers who are committed to responsibly harvesting, manufacturing, and distributing paper and wood-based products...Promote sustainable paper and wood-based products by identifying products with more sustainable features across our sales channels and building awareness among customers of the meaning of these features so it is easy for customers to make more sustainable choices". 
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            Yes
            1.3/1.3
            Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            Yes
            1.3/1.3
            "This policy applies to all paper and wood-based products sold by Staples and paper and wood-based products used internally by Staples including for construction, packaging, and marketing. For the purposes of this policy, “paper and wood-based products” refers to products containing solid wood, wood derived materials including veneers, plywood, medium density fiberboard (MDF), and other composite wood products, and/or any grades of paper-based materials. This policy also applies to common alternatives to wood-derived materials that may be sourced from – or whose sourcing could impact  natural forests, including bamboo, kenaf, and purpose grown crops and crop residues like bagasse and wheat straw...The commitments described below provide the framework for continually improving the sustainability of our paper and wood-based product sourcing while taking into account market conditions (i.e. existing and expected future product availability and demand) and the constraints of good business practices... Protect global forest resources by progressively increasing the percentage of paper and woodbased products that are purchased as certified, preferably to the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)standard. If market conditions do not allow for the purchase of FSC or other certified products, we will seek to ensure products are sourced from non-controversial sources...Support the use of post-consumer recycled and/or sustainable alternative materials in products we purchase, where market conditions allow and where credible scientific evidence indicates these material choices will reduce environmental burdens versus the available alternatives...Source from suppliers who are committed to responsibly harvesting, manufacturing, and distributing paper and wood-based products...Promote sustainable paper and wood-based products by identifying products with more sustainable features across our sales channels and building awareness among customers of the meaning of these features so it is easy for customers to make more sustainable choices". 
            Open source document
          • Target date
            No target date
            0/0.7
          • Interim target date
            No
            0/0.3
        • Commitment to reduce use of virgin wood fibre
          4/5
          • Commitment details
            Yes
            3/3
            Commitment to reduce use of virgin wood fibre
            Yes
            3/3
            Type of commitment: Reduction of material inputs
            "The Staples Paper and Wood Product Sourcing Policy ensures that the paper products we sell are sourced in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. And it sets a high-performance standard for suppliers of paper-based products. The policy focuses on four key areas: Protecting forest resources and communities Reducing demand for virgin wood fiber Sourcing from paper mills committed to environmental excellence Promoting more sustainable products"
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            No
            0/1.3
            Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            No
            0/1.3
            If no, what is excluded?: Product line
            ""We’ve reduced corrugate use in the U.S. by 15% with Smart-Size Packaging"
            Open source document
          • Target date
            Current/achieved
            0.7/0.7
            Target date
            Current/achieved
            0.7/0.7
            "Our goal is to reduce the amount of outbound packaging used in our United States operations by 20% by 2020 (from a 2011 baseline). We are using a normalized per-package-shipped metric to track progress against this goal, to account for increasing numbers of packages shipped. We measure corrugated cardboard, envelope and air pillow amounts by the weight of materials purchased. Since 2011, the weight of all packaging materials used per package shipped decreased by roughly 8%."
            Open source document
          • Interim target date
            NA (target date current or achieved or 2022)
            0.3/0.3
            Interim target date
            NA (target date current or achieved or 2022)
            0.3/0.3
            "Our goal is to reduce the amount of outbound packaging used in our United States operations by 20% by 2020 (from a 2011 baseline). We are using a normalized per-package-shipped metric to track progress against this goal, to account for increasing numbers of packages shipped. We measure corrugated cardboard, envelope and air pillow amounts by the weight of materials purchased. Since 2011, the weight of all packaging materials used per package shipped decreased by roughly 8%."
            Open source document
        • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
          0/6
          • Commitment details
            No traceability commitment
            0/4
          • Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            No
            0/1.3
          • Target date
            No target date
            0/0.7
          • Interim target date
            No
            0/0.3
      • Social Considerations
        11/18
        • Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          4/4
          Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          4/4
          Details of commitment: Discrimination; Forced labour; Child labour; Freedom of association

          Other workers' rights commitments: Living wage; Only work legal working hours; Guaranteed safe and healthy workspaces; Free from abusive practices/undue disciplinary procedures
          "Accordingly, we require each supplier providing us with Staples® brand products to comply with the following Supplier Code of Conduct (“our Code”).* We strongly recommend that our other branded suppliers and subcontractors comply with our Code or similar standards: 1. Forced Labor: Suppliers shall not use forced labor, whether in the form of prison labor, indentured labor, bonded labor, or otherwise. Suppliers must allow employees to keep their own identification documents and to resign from their positions at any time. 2. Child Labor: Suppliers shall not employ people younger than 15, or the minimum age for the completion of compulsory education, or the minimum age of employment required by law in the country of manufacture, whichever is highest... 4. Nondiscrimination: Suppliers shall not subject any person to discrimination in employment (including hiring, salary, benefits, advancement, discipline, termination, or retirement) on the basis of gender, marital status, race, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, nationality, political opinion, social or ethnic origin or any other condition that could give rise to discrimination...6. Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining: Suppliers shall recognize and respect the right of employees to freedom of association and collective bargaining. Management is encouraged to engage in direct communication with employees." 
          Open source document
        • Inclusion of small-scale farmers
          No
          0/4
        • Gender equality in the supply chain
          Commitment to address gender related labour rights including discrimination and harassment
          1/4
          Gender equality in the supply chain
          Commitment to address gender related labour rights including discrimination and harassment
          1/4
          "We strongly recommend that our other branded suppliers and subcontractors comply with our Code or similar standards: ... 4. Nondiscrimination: Suppliers shall not subject any person to discrimination in employment (including hiring, salary, benefits, advancement, discipline, termination, or retirement) on the basis of gender, marital status, race, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, nationality, political opinion, social or ethnic origin or any other condition that could give rise to discrimination."
          Open source document
        • Commitment to remediation
          Yes
          2/2
          Commitment to remediation
          Yes
          2/2
          Type of harm covered: Social harm
          "Each audit is designed to allow the factory to demonstrate adherence to our Code through on-site verification by a trained auditor. The auditor conducts employee interviews and document reviews to substantiate factory operating practices, and rates the factory on a point scale.Certain requirements are deemed "Critical" to create minimum standards for each supplier to consistently achieve. Suppliers failing to meet the minimum requirements are required to sign a Letter of Commitment, which states their intent to continuously improve and requests a probationary period to implement the necessary changes. They are also required to complete a Corrective Action Plan (CAP) documenting the steps they will take and the timeline for the necessary improvements. If suppliers meet the minimum requirements but have violations in other areas, they receive a conditional pass and may also be required to submit a CAP. All CAPs must be approved prior to Staples continuing business with the supplier. Follow-up audits are scheduled at regular intervals to ensure suppliers stay on track while on probation and after all CAP plans have been implemented."
          Open source document
        • Commitment to ensure Free, Prior and Informed Consent
          Yes, the company commits to securing FPIC prior to acquiring new interests, developments, or expansions
          4/4
          Commitment to ensure Free, Prior and Informed Consent
          Yes, the company commits to securing FPIC prior to acquiring new interests, developments, or expansions
          4/4
          "We will ask our suppliers to demonstrate that they provide paper and wood-based products from non-controversial sources, meaning that the wood or fiber: • Is not harvested in violation of traditional and civil rights, including free, prior, and informed consent;..." 
          Open source document
        • Commitment to resolve land conflicts
          No
      • Reporting and Implementation
        11/50
        • Reporting against commitments
          0/2
          • Commitment to protect priority forests
            No
            0/1.7
          • Commitment to reduce use of virgin wood fibre
            Yes, for partial or unclear commodity exposure
            0.8/1.7
            Commitment to reduce use of virgin wood fibre
            Yes, for partial or unclear commodity exposure
            0.8/1.7
            Does the company report on the degree of compliance/progress with commitments, disaggregated by relevant factors such as origin or supply chain stage?: No 
            "performance highlights...Reduce the use of outbound packaging materials in the United States by 20% from 2011 to 2020...8% REDUCTION OF WEIGHT OF ALL PACKAGING...Progress: ON TRACKSince 2011, the weight of all packaging materials used per package shipped decreased by approximately 8%."
            Open source document
          • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
            No
            0/1.7
        • Reporting is independently verified
          0/1
          • Commitment to protect priority forests
            No
            0/1
          • Commitment to reduce use of virgin wood fibre
            No
            0/1
          • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
            No
            0/1
        • Suppliers aligned with deforestation commitments across supply chain
          Yes, encouraged
          0/2
          Suppliers aligned with deforestation commitments across supply chain
          Yes, encouraged
          0/2
          "We seek to work with paper and wood-based product suppliers and their associated raw material suppliers who not only comply with all environmental and forestry laws and regulations, but also demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement, environmental innovation, and use technologies that minimize raw material utilization and emissions. As part of our evaluation process for the suppliers of raw materials going into paper and wood-based products, we may request information about factory specific operations and practices for use in evaluating supplier performance."
          Open source document
        • Deforestation cut off date
          No
          0/2
        • Collaborative actions
          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
          "At Staples, we strive to work with suppliers who treat their workers with dignity and respect, adhere to applicable laws and regulations, and make their products in an environmentally sustainable manner....To ensure compliance with our Code, Staples shall have the right to monitor factories producing Staples® brand products throughaudits by third parties and visits by Staples personnel. We seek relationships with suppliers that are committed to manufacturing Staples® brand products under fair and safe labor conditions and sound environmental practices. If we determine that a particular factory does not comply with our Code, we typically strive to work with the supplier to develop and implement an appropriate corrective action plan. Nevertheless, depending upon the circumstances, Staples may elect to end its relationship with a supplier that produces Staples® brand products at any time for failing to adhere to our Code. 
          Open source document
        • Accessible grievance mechanism
          Yes, publicly accessible grievance mechanism
          2/4
          Accessible grievance mechanism
          Yes, publicly accessible grievance mechanism
          2/4
          Which issues does the grievance mechanism cover?: Social; Environmental

          Does the company publish grievances that have been made against it, as well as responses and resolutions including status and timeframes: no

          What is the nature of the grievance mechanism used by the company (own mechanism, that of external company, internationally recognised mechanism, etc.)?: online portal
          "Staples EthicsLink serves as a 24/7 ethics resource for all associates. Through this help line, associates can ask for guidance on ethical and compliance issues and report suspected ethics violations. It’s available online or accessible via phone in multiple languages. While hosted by a third party, it is administered by Staples, which receives all reports to ensure proper follow-up and, when needed, immediate action"
          Open source document
        • Report volumes of commodity
          No reporting
          0/2
        • Report verified volumes of commodity
          No disclosure
          0/6
        • Upstream: Monitor compliance with human rights
          Yes, commit to monitoring compliance with labour/worker rights
          2/4
          Upstream: Monitor compliance with human rights
          Yes, commit to monitoring compliance with labour/worker rights
          2/4
          "SOCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY AUDITS- All suppliers in "at-risk" geographies are required to be audited prior to starting production and are recertified every year. For example, Staples currently designates the following countries as "at-risk" in accordance with industry assessments: Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, The Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. Each audit is designed to allow the factory to demonstrate adherence to our Code through on-site verification by a trained auditor. The auditor conducts employee interviews and document reviews to substantiate factory operating practices, and rates the factory on a point scale."
          Open source document
        • Downstream: Publishing supplier lists
          No
          0/4
        • Downstream: Monitor compliance in supply chain
          Yes, for its suppliers
          3/4
          Downstream: Monitor compliance in supply chain
          Yes, for its suppliers
          3/4
          Details of monitoring: Using internal monitoring and verification systems

          For what percentage of suppliers does the company use/rely on external mechanisms to monitor compliance?: 0 not specified

          What percentage of the company's supply chain volume does that represent?: 0 not specified

          How frequently is compliance assessed?: Not specified

          For what percent of suppliers does the company directly monitor compliance of production or processing operations?: 0 not specified
          "In relation to their Paper and Wood-Based Product Sourcing Policy - "To implement these commitments, we will survey our paper and wood-based product suppliers to identify the sources of their raw materials, the management practices and certifications held by them and/or their raw material suppliers, and the certifications that their products are labeled with, if any. Staples evaluates the supplier information provided in light of this policy and may conduct audits to confirm the validity of the information provided. We prioritize our surveys and audits to best meet the goals of this policy."
          Open source document
        • 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
          Does the company engage non-compliant indirect suppliers in order to address and remedy non-compliance?: No
          "To ensure compliance with our Code, Staples shall have the right to monitor factories producing Staples® brand products through audits by third parties and visits by Staples personnel. We seek relationships with suppliers that are committed to manufacturing Staples® brand products under fair and safe labor conditions and sound environmental practices. If we determine that a particular factory does not comply with our Code, we typically strive to work with the supplier to develop and implement an appropriate corrective action plan. Nevertheless, depending upon the circumstances, Staples may elect to end its relationship with a supplier that produces Staples® brand products at any time for failing to adhere to our Code. Staples will provide factories with a copy of the Code upon completion of the first audit. The Code must be posted in a place visible to employees, in their native language." Code states that "Suppliers must meet all applicable environmental laws and regulations in their country to manage hazardous materials and all waste and emissions materials. In addition, Suppliers are encouraged to have environmental policies, and environmental management systems containing goals with targets that are focused on the continuous improvement of overall environmental performance."
          Open source document
        • Downstream: Disclosure of non-compliant suppliers
          No disclosure
          0/2
    • Timber
      26/88
      • Commitment Strength
        4/20
        • Commitment to protect priority forests
          5/11
          • Commitment details
            Credible certification scheme
            2.7/8
            Commitment to protect priority forests
            Credible certification scheme
            2.7/8
            Which certification schemes are used?: FSC
            "This policy applies to all paper and wood-based products sold by Staples and paper and wood-based products used internally by Staples including for construction, packaging, and marketing. For the purposes of this policy, “paper and wood-based products” refers to products containing solid wood, wood derived materials including veneers, plywood, medium density fiberboard (MDF), and other composite wood products, and/or any grades of paper-based materials. This policy also applies to common alternatives to wood-derived materials that may be sourced from – or whose sourcing could impact  natural forests, including bamboo, kenaf, and purpose grown crops and crop residues like bagasse and wheat straw...The commitments described below provide the framework for continually improving the sustainability of our paper and wood-based product sourcing while taking into account market conditions (i.e. existing and expected future product availability and demand) and the constraints of good business practices... Protect global forest resources by progressively increasing the percentage of paper and woodbased products that are purchased as certified, preferably to the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)standard. If market conditions do not allow for the purchase of FSC or other certified products, we will seek to ensure products are sourced from non-controversial sources...Support the use of post-consumer recycled and/or sustainable alternative materials in products we purchase, where market conditions allow and where credible scientific evidence indicates these material choices will reduce environmental burdens versus the available alternatives...Source from suppliers who are committed to responsibly harvesting, manufacturing, and distributing paper and wood-based products...Promote sustainable paper and wood-based products by identifying products with more sustainable features across our sales channels and building awareness among customers of the meaning of these features so it is easy for customers to make more sustainable choices". 
            Open source document
          • Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            Yes
            2/2
            Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            Yes
            2/2
            "This policy applies to all paper and wood-based products sold by Staples and paper and wood-based products used internally by Staples including for construction, packaging, and marketing. For the purposes of this policy, “paper and wood-based products” refers to products containing solid wood, wood derived materials including veneers, plywood, medium density fiberboard (MDF), and other composite wood products, and/or any grades of paper-based materials. This policy also applies to common alternatives to wood-derived materials that may be sourced from – or whose sourcing could impact  natural forests, including bamboo, kenaf, and purpose grown crops and crop residues like bagasse and wheat straw...The commitments described below provide the framework for continually improving the sustainability of our paper and wood-based product sourcing while taking into account market conditions (i.e. existing and expected future product availability and demand) and the constraints of good business practices... Protect global forest resources by progressively increasing the percentage of paper and woodbased products that are purchased as certified, preferably to the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)standard. If market conditions do not allow for the purchase of FSC or other certified products, we will seek to ensure products are sourced from non-controversial sources...Support the use of post-consumer recycled and/or sustainable alternative materials in products we purchase, where market conditions allow and where credible scientific evidence indicates these material choices will reduce environmental burdens versus the available alternatives...Source from suppliers who are committed to responsibly harvesting, manufacturing, and distributing paper and wood-based products...Promote sustainable paper and wood-based products by identifying products with more sustainable features across our sales channels and building awareness among customers of the meaning of these features so it is easy for customers to make more sustainable choices". 
            Open source document
          • Target date
            No target date
            0/1
          • Interim target date
            No
            0/0.5
        • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
          0/9
          • Commitment details
            No traceability commitment
            0/5.3
          • Commitment applies to all regions, suppliers and operation
            No
            0/2
          • Target date
            No target date
            0/1
          • Interim target date
            No
            0/0.5
      • Social Considerations
        11/18
        • Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          4/4
          Labour rights in the supply chain
          Yes
          4/4
          Details of commitment: Discrimination; Forced labour; Child labour; Freedom of association

          Other workers' rights commitments: Living wage; Only work legal working hours; Guaranteed safe and healthy workspaces; Free from abusive practices/undue disciplinary procedures
          "Accordingly, we require each supplier providing us with Staples® brand products to comply with the following Supplier Code of Conduct (“our Code”).* We strongly recommend that our other branded suppliers and subcontractors comply with our Code or similar standards: 1. Forced Labor: Suppliers shall not use forced labor, whether in the form of prison labor, indentured labor, bonded labor, or otherwise. Suppliers must allow employees to keep their own identification documents and to resign from their positions at any time. 2. Child Labor: Suppliers shall not employ people younger than 15, or the minimum age for the completion of compulsory education, or the minimum age of employment required by law in the country of manufacture, whichever is highest... 4. Nondiscrimination: Suppliers shall not subject any person to discrimination in employment (including hiring, salary, benefits, advancement, discipline, termination, or retirement) on the basis of gender, marital status, race, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, nationality, political opinion, social or ethnic origin or any other condition that could give rise to discrimination...6. Freedom of Association and Collective Bargaining: Suppliers shall recognize and respect the right of employees to freedom of association and collective bargaining. Management is encouraged to engage in direct communication with employees." 
          Open source document
        • Inclusion of small-scale farmers
          No
          0/4
        • Gender equality in the supply chain
          Commitment to address gender related labour rights including discrimination and harassment
          1/4
          Gender equality in the supply chain
          Commitment to address gender related labour rights including discrimination and harassment
          1/4
          "We strongly recommend that our other branded suppliers and subcontractors comply with our Code or similar standards: ... 4. Nondiscrimination: Suppliers shall not subject any person to discrimination in employment (including hiring, salary, benefits, advancement, discipline, termination, or retirement) on the basis of gender, marital status, race, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, nationality, political opinion, social or ethnic origin or any other condition that could give rise to discrimination."
          Open source document
        • Commitment to remediation
          Yes
          2/2
          Commitment to remediation
          Yes
          2/2
          Type of harm covered: Social harm
          "Each audit is designed to allow the factory to demonstrate adherence to our Code through on-site verification by a trained auditor. The auditor conducts employee interviews and document reviews to substantiate factory operating practices, and rates the factory on a point scale.Certain requirements are deemed "Critical" to create minimum standards for each supplier to consistently achieve. Suppliers failing to meet the minimum requirements are required to sign a Letter of Commitment, which states their intent to continuously improve and requests a probationary period to implement the necessary changes. They are also required to complete a Corrective Action Plan (CAP) documenting the steps they will take and the timeline for the necessary improvements. If suppliers meet the minimum requirements but have violations in other areas, they receive a conditional pass and may also be required to submit a CAP. All CAPs must be approved prior to Staples continuing business with the supplier. Follow-up audits are scheduled at regular intervals to ensure suppliers stay on track while on probation and after all CAP plans have been implemented."
          Open source document
        • Commitment to ensure Free, Prior and Informed Consent
          Yes, the company commits to securing FPIC prior to acquiring new interests, developments, or expansions
          4/4
          Commitment to ensure Free, Prior and Informed Consent
          Yes, the company commits to securing FPIC prior to acquiring new interests, developments, or expansions
          4/4
          "We will ask our suppliers to demonstrate that they provide paper and wood-based products from non-controversial sources, meaning that the wood or fiber: • Is not harvested in violation of traditional and civil rights, including free, prior, and informed consent;..." 
          Open source document
        • Commitment to resolve land conflicts
          No
      • Reporting and Implementation
        10/50
        • Reporting against commitments
          0/3
          • Commitment to protect priority forests
            No
            0/2.5
          • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
            No
            0/2.5
        • Reporting is independently verified
          0/2
          • Commitment to protect priority forests
            No
            0/1.5
          • Commitment to a traceable supply chain
            No
            0/1.5
        • Suppliers aligned with deforestation commitments across supply chain
          Yes, encouraged
          0/2
          Suppliers aligned with deforestation commitments across supply chain
          Yes, encouraged
          0/2
          "We seek to work with paper and wood-based product suppliers and their associated raw material suppliers who not only comply with all environmental and forestry laws and regulations, but also demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement, environmental innovation, and use technologies that minimize raw material utilization and emissions. As part of our evaluation process for the suppliers of raw materials going into paper and wood-based products, we may request information about factory specific operations and practices for use in evaluating supplier performance."
          Open source document
        • Deforestation cut off date
          No
          0/2
        • Collaborative actions
          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
          "At Staples, we strive to work with suppliers who treat their workers with dignity and respect, adhere to applicable laws and regulations, and make their products in an environmentally sustainable manner....To ensure compliance with our Code, Staples shall have the right to monitor factories producing Staples® brand products throughaudits by third parties and visits by Staples personnel. We seek relationships with suppliers that are committed to manufacturing Staples® brand products under fair and safe labor conditions and sound environmental practices. If we determine that a particular factory does not comply with our Code, we typically strive to work with the supplier to develop and implement an appropriate corrective action plan. Nevertheless, depending upon the circumstances, Staples may elect to end its relationship with a supplier that produces Staples® brand products at any time for failing to adhere to our Code. 
          Open source document
        • Accessible grievance mechanism
          Yes, publicly accessible grievance mechanism
          2/4
          Accessible grievance mechanism
          Yes, publicly accessible grievance mechanism
          2/4
          Does the company publish grievances that have been made against it, as well as responses and resolutions including status and timeframes: no

          What is the nature of the grievance mechanism used by the company (own mechanism, that of external company, internationally recognised mechanism, etc.)?: online portal

          Which issues does the grievance mechanism cover?: Social; Environmental
          "Staples EthicsLink serves as a 24/7 ethics resource for all associates. Through this help line, associates can ask for guidance on ethical and compliance issues and report suspected ethics violations. It’s available online or accessible via phone in multiple languages. While hosted by a third party, it is administered by Staples, which receives all reports to ensure proper follow-up and, when needed, immediate action"
          Open source document
        • Report volumes of commodity
          No reporting
          0/2
        • Report verified volumes of commodity
          No disclosure
          0/6
        • Upstream: Monitor compliance with human rights
          Yes, commit to monitoring compliance with labour/worker rights
          2/4
          Upstream: Monitor compliance with human rights
          Yes, commit to monitoring compliance with labour/worker rights
          2/4
          "SOCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY AUDITS- All suppliers in "at-risk" geographies are required to be audited prior to starting production and are recertified every year. For example, Staples currently designates the following countries as "at-risk" in accordance with industry assessments: Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, The Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. Each audit is designed to allow the factory to demonstrate adherence to our Code through on-site verification by a trained auditor. The auditor conducts employee interviews and document reviews to substantiate factory operating practices, and rates the factory on a point scale."
          Open source document
        • Downstream: Publishing supplier lists
          No
          0/4
        • Downstream: Monitor compliance in supply chain
          Yes, for its suppliers
          3/4
          Downstream: Monitor compliance in supply chain
          Yes, for its suppliers
          3/4
          How frequently is compliance assessed?: not specified

          For what percentage of suppliers does the company use/rely on external mechanisms to monitor compliance?: 0 not specified

          For what percent of suppliers does the company directly monitor compliance of production or processing operations?: 0 not specified

          Details of monitoring: Using internal monitoring and verification systems

          What percentage of the company's supply chain volume does that represent?: 0 not specified
          "In relation to their Paper and Wood-Based Product Sourcing Policy - "To implement these commitments, we will survey our paper and wood-based product suppliers to identify the sources of their raw materials, the management practices and certifications held by them and/or their raw material suppliers, and the certifications that their products are labeled with, if any. Staples evaluates the supplier information provided in light of this policy and may conduct audits to confirm the validity of the information provided. We prioritize our surveys and audits to best meet the goals of this policy."
          Open source document
        • 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 criteria does the policy specify for blacklisting or exclusion?: Failing to adhere to code. 

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

          What type of support does the company offer to its suppliers to help them achieve compliance with commitments?: Corrective action plans
          "To ensure compliance with our Code, Staples shall have the right to monitor factories producing Staples® brand products through audits by third parties and visits by Staples personnel. We seek relationships with suppliers that are committed to manufacturing Staples® brand products under fair and safe labor conditions and sound environmental practices. If we determine that a particular factory does not comply with our Code, we typically strive to work with the supplier to develop and implement an appropriate corrective action plan. Nevertheless, depending upon the circumstances, Staples may elect to end its relationship with a supplier that produces Staples® brand products at any time for failing to adhere to our Code. Staples will provide factories with a copy of the Code upon completion of the first audit. The Code must be posted in a place visible to employees, in their native language." Code states that "Suppliers must meet all applicable environmental laws and regulations in their country to manage hazardous materials and all waste and emissions materials. In addition, Suppliers are encouraged to have environmental policies, and environmental management systems containing goals with targets that are focused on the continuous improvement of overall environmental performance."
          Open source document
        • Downstream: Disclosure of non-compliant suppliers
          No disclosure
          0/2
  • Commitment strength
    6/20
    Avg. score
  • Reporting and Implementation
    10/50
    Avg. score
  • Social considerations
    11/18
    Avg. score

Profile

Staples Inc is one of the world’s largest specialist retailers of office supplies, with key product lines in stationary, furniture and technology products. Amongst its products are a wide variety of paper goods, including copy paper, printer paper, POS rolls and letterheads. As a leading retailer of these goods Staples is exposed to the forest risk commodities paper, pulp and timber. Staples Inc. is selected as a powerbroker for timber and pulp & paper.

Sector
Industry sector 
Furniture & flooring, Paper & packaging
Segments
Retailer
HQ
HQ 
United States
Company Type
Company type 
Public listed
Collective Commitments
Consumer Goods Forum member
New York Declaration on Forests signatory

Top Brands

Staples

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.

Full corporate sector performance data Forest 500 assessment methodology

Related articles and press coverage

The hidden human rights abuses linked to deforestation

26 July 2022

China's unique opportunity to tackle deforestation (this article is part of: Centre for Nature and Climate)

20 July 2022

Action on deforestation key to achieving net zero

29 June 2022
Photo shows tropical deforestation

Forest 500 update of companies with greatest exposure to tropical deforestation

8 June 2022

See all articlesSee all press coverage

More companies

TJX Companies
7%
Westrock
30%
International Paper
33%
3M Company
43%
Adient
7%
Amazon
20%

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.