Ethics and trust

Sustainable Sourcing and Product

Commitment/Policy/Position Target
Policy for Social Compliance with regards to own brand products

Target: Socially compliant supply chains for all risky own brand producers by 2030.

This includes non-food, near-food and food producers of all tiers that bear a risk in their production facilities with regards to potential Human Rights violations.

The social compliance can be proven by a valid audit against one of METROs accepted social audit schemes.

Results FY 2024/25 In the non-food product category, 644 active, indirect own-brand suppliers were reported. Of these, 598 are suppliers with a low risk status for compliance with social standards, which equates to 93%.
In the food and near-food product category, 332 active, indirect own-brand suppliers were reported. Of these, 290 are suppliers with a low risk status for compliance with social standards, which equates to 87%.

Further details can be found in the Annual Report 2024/25.

Deforestation Policy Deforestation is a significant concern for the retail and wholesale industry, driven by the production of key commodities such as palm oil, soy, coffee, cattle (beef), cocoa, wood & paper, and rubber. METRO supports the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and is committed to promoting sustainable practices throughout our business by transforming sourcing practices of these commodities to sustainable solutions as well as complying with EU Deforestation Regulation (EU) 2023/1115 (“EUDR”).
Fish and Seafood Procurement Position with regards to own brands

With this position, METRO aims to improve the sustainability of its range of wild-caught fish and seafood as well as fish and seafood from aquaculture by supporting product certification and entering into partnerships. Furthermore, it aims to improve conditions within the value chain and increase transparency within the fish and seafood supply chain.

Animal Welfare Position with regards to own brands

METRO aims to continuously develop our own brand product range, complying with higher animal health and welfare standards and local certification schemes, as well as to increase the transparency through the supply chain, such as livestock origin.

Position on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

METRO is committed to:

  • Genetically modified livestock (meat and fish) must not be used in our own-brand supply chain in line with our Animal Welfare Position requirements.
  • 100% transparency concerning genetically modified ingredients and ingredients originating from genetically modified organisms/plants in food products.
  • 100% transparent labelling of food products containing more than 0.9% genetically modified ingredients.

The Policy is currently under review.

Position on Biodiversity The diversity of species and their habitats is worth preserving, especially as animals and plants provide certain services that are essential for the production of food. For this reason, METRO supports the goals of the International Convention on Biological Diversity and contributes to the protection of biodiversity.
Position on Conscious proteins

METRO’s approach to Conscious Proteins has three streams:

  1. Sustainable sourcing: Conscious proteins must be sourced responsibly which includes following established practices determined by our existing policies and commitments on sustainable sourcing
  2. Marketing and creating customer awareness: to create more awareness amongst our suppliers and our internal and external stakeholders, we will promote conscious proteins in a responsible way
  3. Creating awareness of our customers: we will help our customers to understand what they can do to create plates with conscious proteins in the context of their locality and culture.