Co₂-free steel in the supply chain.

How we create transparency – from the mine to the product

Human rights in the supply chain.

We pursue the goal of ensuring that our products only contain raw materials and materials that have been mined and produced without violating any human rights and environmental standards. On account of the complexity of the supply chain and the variety of raw materials and other materials in our products, Mercedes-Benz takes a risk-based and strategic approach.

Our vehicles generally contain several thousand parts and components. Accordingly, our supply chains are complex. They comprise approximately 40,000 direct suppliers, which are mainly based in the regions Europe, North America, and Asia. These in turn work with many sub-suppliers. Sometimes one supply chain has up to seven or eight sub-levels. At one stage, there can be up to 20 sub-suppliers. And with every innovation and every market development, it dynamically evolves.

We use a variety of measures and concepts for the sustainable management of our supply chain. That includes the screening of our suppliers, risk-based due diligence analyses, and sustainability training courses for suppliers. Through these measures we enforce compliance with social standards and environmental requirements and achieve greater transparency in the supply chain.

We can only achieve the goal of a responsible supply chain together with our suppliers. Since there is no way of law enforcement, it is not possible to exert influence on the entire supply chain by legal means alone. Moreover, we do not purchase many raw materials directly, but in processed form or as part of components, e.g. in battery cells. We therefore work closely with our direct suppliers, and oblige them to pass on our Responsible Sourcing Standards  within the supply chain.

The complexity of the raw material supply chain on the example of battery cells.
The complexity of the raw material supply chain on the example of battery cells.

Sustainable supply chain management offers us many opportunities. It enables us to reinforce our stakeholders’ trust in Mercedes-Benz Group as a partner and helps us to establish good business practices in markets all over the world. This benefits the sustainable development of society and the conservation of valuable natural resources.

Sustainable supply chain management at Daimler

Supply chain management.

What we do to ensure transparency in dynamic supply chains.

Handling risk raw materials.

Handling risk raw materials.

Our activities in selected raw material supply chains.

Raw Material Report 2024.

Raw Material Report.

We report on our activities to respect human rights in raw material supply chains and on our progress in the context of our sustainable corporate strategy.

Just Transition: Lighthouse project to create positive impacts for both people and nature throughout aluminium supply chain in Brazil.

Making a difference on site.

The Corridor Initiative: How we want to work together with our aluminum supplier Hydro along a bauxite pipeline in Brazil to promote human rights and biodiversity.

Initiatives for sustainable raw material supply chains

Initiatives for sustainable raw material supply chains.

We are involved in various general and specific raw material initiatives.

With sustainable agriculture projects, alternative livelihoods are created especially for women.

Our social commitment in the supply chain.

Together with NGOs, Mercedes-Benz creates future opportunities for the population in mining regions.

Dialogue and Qualification.

Dialogue and qualification.

This is how we support our suppliers in implementing our sustainability standards.

Mercedes-Benz Responsible Sourcing Standards.

Learn more about the requirements for our suppliers.