Supplier ethics resources

We expect our suppliers to comply with our Supplier Code of Conduct and the four pillars of responsible sourcing:

• Human Rights
• Health and Safety
• Environment 
• Business Integrity

Human rights work

General Mills believes the protection of human rights throughout our supply chain is a critical part of our mission. We are guided by the International Labour Organization’s 1998 Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and we are a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact. At a minimum, we expect you to uphold these standards:

Supplier Code of Conduct

Our Supplier Code of Conduct, in multiple languages.

Forced labor 

You will not use involuntary, enslaved, forced, prison, or debt bondage labor of any kind. You will not be involved in human trafficking activity and will not use any corporal punishment, physical or psychological abuse, or threats of violence, or coercion to secure or retain workers. You will not require payment of fees or the surrendering of identification as a condition of employment. All workers will be provided with the terms of their employment in a language they understand.

Child labor

You will not employ children that are under 15 years of age, or 14 years of age where local law allows, or under the legal minimum age for employment in the country, whichever is greatest. Any employment of workers under the age of 18 will not interfere with schooling or vocational education and shall not expose children to risks that could cause health, safety, or moral harm, as specified in the ILO Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention (No. 182).

Freedom of association and collective bargaining

You will recognize and respect the rights of employees to freedom of association and collective bargaining and ensure that representatives of trade unions are not subject to discrimination or harassment.

Anti-discrimination and fair treatment

You will treat all workers with respect. There will be no unlawful discrimination, harassment or abuse of any kind based on race, caste, national origin, religious affiliation, age, disability, gender, physical appearance, marital status, sexual orientation, union membership, veteran status, political opinion, or HIV/AIDS status in relation to employment practices such as hiring, promotion, compensation, termination, retirement, or any other aspect of their work.

Wages and benefits

You will provide compensation directly to employees that includes wages, overtime pay, and benefits that meet or exceed the legal minimum standards. Where there is no legislated minimum wage, you will provide wages that are comparable to relevant standard industry wages. Wages will be paid promptly and in full. Wages will not be subject to deductions as a disciplinary measure. Wage deductions will not be used to keep workers tied to the employer or to their jobs.

Work hours and overtime

ou will ensure that work schedules and overtime are consistent with all applicable laws and collective bargaining agreements, whichever affords the greater level of protection, including maximum hour and rest period laws. Workers will receive annual leave and public holidays in accordance with local law.

Land Rights

You must respect the land rights of women, indigenous peoples, and local communities impacted by their operations and sourcing practices. All negotiations regarding the property or land of indigenous peoples, including the use of and transfers of it, must adhere to the principles of free, prior, and informed consent, contract transparency and disclosure. You must refrain from cooperating with any host government’s illegitimate use of eminent domain to acquire land that will be used to provide products and services to General Mills.

Health and safety

Ensuring health and safety is of upmost importance to General Mills. We require that you will provide employees with a safe, clean and healthy work environment. You are also responsible for integrating comprehensive health and safety management practices and job-specific safety training into your business. Employees will have the right to refuse and report unsafe or unhealthy working conditions. You will meet or exceed applicable laws and industry standards in this area.

Product quality and safety

Consumers trust General Mills to provide them with safe, wholesome food products and we expect the same from you. You will supply only products or services that are safe and in compliance with all applicable local and national laws. When differences arise between General Mills policy and legal requirements, the stricter shall apply. You will report any concerns about product safety or quality issues to General Mills Food Safety and Quality.

Environment

At General Mills, our goal is to continually reduce our environmental footprint as we explain in more detail in our Climate Policy. In addition to complying with all applicable environmental laws, we expect you to continually improve your own environmental performance, including, but not limited to, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, reducing, or optimizing the use of water, energy, and agriculture inputs, and minimizing water pollution and waste.

Business integrity

Doing the right thing all the time is a core part of General Mills culture. We do not tolerate corruption in any form and we expect the same from you. You must operate with the highest standards for business integrity, and comply with all anti-corruption and anti-bribery laws, including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Specifically, you cannot offer or accept any bribe, kickback, favor or use any improper influence when dealing with government officials or in any business arrangements. As a supplier, you will also respect our corporate policies around business conduct, such as conflicts of interest, gifts and entertainment, and confidentiality.

Anti-retaliation

You will prohibit unlawful retaliation, including, but not limited to, threats, intimidation, and attacks, against individuals who report a compliance or ethical issue learned during the course of work performed for General Mills, who cooperate in good faith with the investigation of a complaint, or who defend environmental or human rights. You will create a mechanism for workers to submit their grievances anonymously and demonstrate that their complaints are reviewed and investigated.

Your responsibility

We expect you to apply similar standards to your own suppliers and subcontractors by communicating the expectations contained in this Code of Conduct and holding them accountable as well. This includes contract and seasonal workers and temporary agencies.

Origin mapping

You must be capable of disclosing potential sources of primary origin associated with their products or services provided to General Mills. General Mills may ask for supply chain mapping back to the origin to facilitate assessment of upstream supply chain compliance. If you do not have this capability today, we expect you to share with us your path to compliance.

Compliance

General Mills respects the law in its business operations and expects you to do the same by complying with all laws that apply to your business and your work with us. If there is a conflict between what the law requires and the standards of this Code, we expect you to meet the higher standard.

You must also be able to demonstrate compliance with this Code of Conduct upon our request, and we expect you to take action to correct any non-compliance. We reserve the right to terminate any agreement or arrangement with you if compliance with this Code cannot be demonstrated.

To report a concern, talk to your General Mills representative or contact the General Mills Ethics Line at generalmillsethics.ethicspoint.com. US, Canada, Puerto Rico phone number: 1-800-210-2878. Reporters may choose to be anonymous.

This Code of Conduct is based in part on the principles outlined in the International Labour Organization’s 1998 Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. We expect you to develop and implement appropriate internal business processes to ensure compliance with this Code of Conduct.

General Mills utilizes independent third parties to assess supplier compliance with this Code of Conduct. These assessments generally include confidential interviews with employees and on-site contract workers. We may also request that suppliers complete a self-assessment questionnaire.