The French Ministry of Economy, Finance and Industrial Sovereignty, along with the Conseil National des Achats* (CNA), has renewed the ‘Supplier Relations and Sustainable Procurement’ label awarded to Thales for a period of three years.

This label covers nearly 70% of the Group's procurement in France.

This distinction honours companies or public entities maintaining sustainable and balanced relationships with their suppliers, through the application of the commitments outlined in the ‘Supplier Relations and Sustainable Procurement’ charter, as well as the implementation of the recommendations of ISO 20400, the international standard for responsible procurement.

Thales is among 119 French private or public organisations (major contractors, mid-sized enterprises, small and medium-sized enterprises, and public entities) that have been labelled, collectively representing around €176 billion in annual purchases.

With over €4 billion in procurement spending in France, the vast majority of which is sourced from SMEs and mid-sized enterprises, we contribute to the development of critical industrial and technological hubs across France. To meet the growing expectations of our customers and stakeholders, we have a responsibility to maintain high standards of ethics and responsible conduct while supporting the ecological transition throughout our value chains.

Roque Carmona, Chief Procurement Officer

Through its Integrity and Corporate Responsibility Charter and its Procurement governance, Thales supports its suppliers in upholding commitments related to ethics and sustainability. The supplier selection process at Thales includes criteria that value Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) commitments, particularly in terms of integrity, environmental performance, cybersecurity, and commitment to diversity and inclusion.

In this context, Thales has established 280 action plans with its suppliers, covering 45% of the carbon footprint of the Group's purchases of goods and services. 

Thales is also a founding member of Pacte PME (a French organisation working to open up opportunities for SMEs to do business with large companies) and a signatory of the bilateral agreement with the French Ministry of Armed Forces to support SMEs, mid-sized enterprises, and startups in France.

Procurement at Thales in figures: €9.2 billion in procurement spending in 2024, with €4 billion in France €2,8 billion in goods and services purchased from more than 3,800 small and medium-sized suppliers in France 17,000 suppliers across the world 100% of new suppliers committed to the principles of Thales's Integrity and Corporate Responsibility Charter each year

 

About the Supplier Relations and Sustainable Procurement Label: In 2017, the Supplier Relations and Sustainable Procurement Label (RFAR) replaced the Responsible Supplier Relations Label (RFR), which was first established in 2012. This label is part of the ongoing effort initiated in 2010 by the Médiateur des entreprises** and the Conseil National des Achats* (CNA) through the Supplier Relations and Sustainable Procurement Charter. This label is granted for a period of three years, subject to annual verification. The evaluation is conducted based on the ISO 20400 framework, structured into five areas: Commitment to a sustainable procurement approach Quality of relationships with suppliers and subcontractors Respect for the interests of suppliers and subcontractors Integration of corporate social responsibility into the procurement process Impact of procurement on the economic competitiveness of the ecosystem

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* French equivalent of the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply
**The French Médiateur des entreprises assists economic actors (both public and private) in resolving their commercial disputes, particularly in matters related to payment delays and contractual relationships.