Collaboration with Suppliers

Sustainability in the supply chain can only be achieved through close collaboration. That is why we prioritize transparency, shared goals, and ongoing dialogue with our suppliers – particularly in the areas of the environment and human rights.

Collaboration on the topics of

  • Reducing CO2
  • Social responsibility in the supply chain
  • Deforestation-free supply chains
  • Traceability of fishery products

Our Approach

Together with our partners, we are working to

  • reduce environmental impacts
  • strengthen social standards
  • Increase transparency in the supply chain
  • Identify and minimize risks early on

Strategy for Supplier Engagement - Awareness

Educate

Making knowledge about sustainability accessible and actionable

Strategy for Supplier Engagement - Empowerment

Strengths

Empower all partners to engage in dialogue on sustainability

Supplier Engagement Strategy - Engage

Engage

Building strong, tailored relationships within the supply chain

Supplier Engagement Strategy - Implementation

Execute

Translate goals into measurable progress using system-supported processes

Supplier Engagement Strategy - Strengthen. Engage. Train. Execute.

Are you a METRO supplier?

Join our Supplier Engagement Journey: cr@metro.de

Reduce CO2

METRO aligns its climate goals with the Paris Agreement and is actively involved in the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). In doing so, we take into account not only our own emissions but also emissions throughout the entire value chain.

Since a large portion of our carbon footprint is generated by the products we receive from our suppliers, a particular focus is placed on collaboration with our suppliers.

Climate and CO₂

CO₂ Reduction

We take responsibility and are committed to reducing emissions throughout our value chain.

METRO Climate Policy
METRO Climate Policy
Jun ’26 - .pdf - 0.37 MB
Carbon Controlling Factsheet - CCF and PCF in a Nutshell
Carbon Controlling Factsheet - CCF and PCF in a Nutshell
Jan ’26 - .pdf - 5.06 MB

Social Responsibility in the Supply Chain

Respect for human rights and fair working conditions is essential to us. Our social compliance standards form the basis for our collaboration with our suppliers.

Our goal is to strengthen human rights and ensure socially just working conditions in our private-label procurement channels by 2030.

Ethical Conduct and Trust

Resilient Supply Chain

Our comprehensive understanding of human rights and environmental issues is reflected in our commitment.

In doing so, we follow a clear approach:

  • Creating transparency in the supply chain
  • Identify and assess risks
  • Prevent and address violations
  • Empowering employees
  • Documenting and measuring progress

Through close collaboration with our suppliers, we can improve working conditions and build stable, long-term partnerships.

METRO approach to Social Compliance Due Diligence
METRO approach to Social Compliance Due Diligence
Jul ’26 - .pdf - 0.27 MB

Deforestation-Free Supply Chains

One of the main drivers of climate change is deforestation – the loss of natural forests and vegetation, for example, through their conversion to agricultural or other non-forestry lands. As a wholesaler, we are part of the supply chain and contribute to transparency within it. We strive to source from deforestation-free areas in order to help eliminate illegal logging practices.

Through our own METRO policy, we at METRO are committed to working with our suppliers to ensure deforestation-free supply chains.

Deforestation Policy
Deforestation Policy
Sep ’25 - .pdf - 0.35 MB

Joint action is crucial to advancing and accelerating efforts to end deforestation.

EU Deforestation Regulation (EU) 2023/1115
EU Deforestation Regulation (EU) 2023/1115
Jul ’26 - .pdf - 0.15 MB

Traceability of Fishery Products

The EU Fisheries Control Regulation establishes binding rules to ensure the legality, digital traceability, and safety of fishery products. METRO actively implements these requirements by specifically requiring its suppliers to maintain detailed records of origin, species, quantities, and fishing and production methods. In addition, METRO is committed to ensuring that all relevant identification data is fully recorded and that documentation requirements are consistently met.

Insights PRO TRACE - Factsheet
Insights PRO TRACE - Factsheet
Jul ’26 - .pdf - 19.16 MB

Why is a supplier engagement strategy important?

Supplier engagement contributes to regulatory compliance and market access. At METRO, suppliers serve as the starting point for traceability by recording and forwarding catch certificates, origin data, and batch information.