Working Environment

Direct Import Product Sourcing

As OfficeMax looks increasingly to the global marketplace to bring our customers functional and stylish products at competitive prices, including private label products, we strive to so in a responsible manner. To help ensure that we award business only to suppliers that meet internationally recognized standards for social responsibility and safety, OfficeMax has established several audit programs for our direct import product suppliers. These include our Social Accountability Audit Program, Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) Audit Program, and our Direct Import Product Testing Program.

Direct Import Products Social Accountability Audit Program

Based on the internationally recognized Social Accountability 8000 (SA8000) Standard and verification system, our Direct Import Products Social Accountability Audit Program is administered by third-party consultants with the requisite skills and regional knowledge.

All of our private label manufacturers have been audited at least once, and all new private label vendors undergo an audit before a business relationship is established. How frequently a vendor is audited depends on the quality of its audit score. While weeding out noncompliant suppliers is certainly one of the goals of the program, just as important is helping vendors achieve compliance. Through our third-party consultant, OfficeMax works with promising and motivated companies to implement the changes and measures needed to do business together.

Audits are conducted unannounced within a previously determined two-week timeframe, examining the following areas of performance:
• Local employment laws
• Work permits and employee contracts
• Child and forced labor violations
• Health and safety
• Working environment
• Food preparation services
• Fire safety
• Protective equipment
• Dormitories
• Discrimination
• Disciplinary practices

Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) Audit Program

OfficeMax requires C-TPAT Audits of our overseas direct import products vendors to guard against acts of terrorism. C-TPAT is a joint government-business initiative to build cooperative relationships that strengthen overall supply chain and border security. Many C-TPAT elements are widely adopted by customs departments around the globe to secure their own countries’ borders and homelands against terrorism.

Our C-TPAT audit examines a variety of security criteria, including the following:
• Business partner requirements
• Container security
• Physical access controls
• Physical security
• Procedural security
• Personnel security
• Information technology security
• Security education and awareness