Co-op announces changes to its sourcing policy to support peace and co-operation

Today (24th June) Co-op has announced that it will stop sourcing relationships with countries where there are internationally recognised community-wide human rights abuses and violations of international law *. This policy has been approved by the Co-op Group Board and coincides with the start of Co-ops Fortnight in the UK.

Over recent years, Co-op members have made clear through surveys, engagement and motions that conflict is one of their biggest concerns and that their Co-op should do all it can to advocate and build peace.

Responding to this clear call from members, the Co-op Board initiated a review of Co-op’s role in building peace leading to the launch of the “Hate Divides Communities, Co-operation Builds Them” campaign. The review also included the development of a sourcing policy aligned with established co-operative values, upholding human rights and the rule of law to promote fair trading and peace.

Following over a year of detailed analysis, Co-op will stop sourcing products and services from specific countries based on three criteria:

• Firstly, that there is agreement across respected assessments, such as by the UN and others, that there is consistent behaviour which would constitute community-wide human rights abuses or violations of international law;
• Secondly, that the actions Co-op can take would make a difference directly or indirectly to those affected and would alleviate suffering; and
• Thirdly, that the actions Co-op can take would not negatively affect the Co-op’s integrity as a commercially successful co-operative business aligned with co-operative values and principles.

Co-op’s policy states that, wherever possible, they will not use ingredients in Co-op branded products or sell whole products from 17 countries of concern, which have been identified by the international community**.

Products and ingredients on the prohibited list are ones which are clearly and solely sourced from the country of origin and include Russian vodka, mangoes from Mali, and carrots from Israel, and will be removed from Co-op shelves and products on a phased approach, starting from June 2025. ***

Debbie White, Chair of the Co-op Group Board said: “This policy, which has been developed over the past year as a part of our Hate Divides Communities, Co-operation Builds Them’ campaign, is a clear demonstration of our co-operative values in action, where the voices of our members have been listened to and then acted upon.

“We are committed, where we can, to removing products and ingredients from our shelves which are sourced from those countries where the international consensus demonstrates there is not alignment with what happens in those countries and our co-operative values and principles.

“As a business, we have a long-standing legacy of doing the right thing, supporting Fairtrade and championing ethical sourcing and this policy is a natural progression of this. Our Hate Divides Communities, Co-operation Builds Them campaign has once again positioned our Co-op with those who advocate for and build peace.”

*: Co-op will – where it is possible – cease sourcing relationships with a number of countries where there are internationally recognised community-wide human rights abuses and violations of international law. At the same time, we will continue to strengthen our Co-op’s leading position and support for Fairtrade alongside other ethical sourcing initiatives.

**:17 countries of concern identified from independent assessments: Afghanistan, Belarus, Central African Republic, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea), Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Haiti, Iran, Israel, Libya, Mali, Myanmar, Russia, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Yemen

***: Affected suppliers have been contacted and we will manage the end of contracts in line with GSCOP regulations and guidelines. This means products and ingredients will start to be removed from June 2025 on a phased basis, due to contract and seasonal crop commitments.