A guide for prospective suppliers

Supply Chain Management is chartered with full responsibility for the procurement of goods and services and to conduct all purchasing negotiations with suppliers. Therefore, large or small, we need your interest and support in meeting the following policies and procedures:

Intellectual property right protection

Vodafone respects the intellectual property rights of others: business associates, suppliers, and competitors alike. Vodafone is committed to the protection of supplier’s confidential information and insists on the same dedication to protection of Vodafone’s disclosed confidential information. Furthermore, it is a requirement that Vodafone’s mutually protective Corporate Nondisclosure Agreement be signed by the supplier and Vodafone before the disclosure or exchange of any confidential information takes place. When Vodafone sells products, it provides indemnity against third party intellectual property claims. Conversely, when Vodafone is the customer, it requires supplier infringement indemnification against Intellectual property rights claimed by third parties.

Our Ethics Policy

Reciprocity

While Vodafone may sell its products to its suppliers, it is against Vodafone policy to require a supplier to purchase our products as a condition for Vodafone doing business with that supplier.

Publicity

Vodafone maintains a strict policy that neither party may use the other’s name in advertisements, press releases, design win announcements, or business level disclosure without prior written notice by a Vodafone Business Unit Director.

Small and minority suppliers

Vodafone appreciates the valuable contributions made by small and disadvantaged businesses. Therefore, a good faith effort is made to allow qualified small and minority businesses the maximum practicable opportunity to receive a fair share of Vodafone’s business.

Environment, health and safety

Vodafone expects suppliers to understand and fully comply with all applicable international, national, state and local laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, all environmental, health and safety (EHS) and related laws and regulations. In addition, suppliers must agree to abide by all Vodafone rules, including but not limited to, all applicable EHS policies, procedures and guidelines. Further, to the extent that suppliers obtain, use, handle, or transport hazardous materials (as defined by any law, standard or practice) on Vodafone’s property or to perform work for Vodafone, suppliers must warrant that they understand the nature and hazards associated with the use, handling and transportation of any such materials. Suppliers also must :

• Agree to be fully responsible and indemnify Vodafone for any liability resulting from the use, handling or transportation of hazardous materials by suppliers or their contractors, and
• have in place decision, management, control and continuous improvement systems to effectively manage the product safety of such materials.

We suggest the following method as the most effective way of assuring the successful consideration of your company:

Please make initial sales contacts by mailing brochures, reports or product literature which describe your company's products and services to:

Your information and enquiries will be directed to the specific buyer(s) responsible for purchasing the materials/services you are marketing. Responses will be made and/or a meeting will be scheduled by buyers as appropriate.

To ensure an opportunity to meet with the appropriate purchasing personnel, always make appointments with these individuals in advance when planning a visit to any Vodafone site. Our hours of operation are 9:00am to 5:30pm.