levi Strauss & Co. was the first multinational
company to establish Global Sourcing and
Operating Guidelines, which outline the com-
pany’s commitment to responsible business
practices everywhere it conducts business.
These guidelines include two parts: (1) Country
Assessment Guidelines, which help assess po-
tential opportunities associated with conduct-
ing business in specific countries and (2) the
Sustainability Guidebook (originally known as
the company’s Terms of Engagement or TOE),
which help to identify business partners who
follow workplace standards and business prac-
tices that are consistent with the company’s
values. The Sustainability Guidebook applies
to all suppliers and is periodically updated to
follow the progress of their standards. In 2014,
updates included guidelines on migrant work-
ers and fire safety and building integrity.