Policies, principles and standards

Standards of Business Conduct

Our Standards of Business Conduct are a set of global policies of British American Tobacco, expressing the high standards of integrity we are committed to upholding. The Standards apply to all Group companies and employees and require high standards of behaviour and integrity wherever our businesses operate.

Each operating company in the Group must adopt the SoBC, or its own standards reflecting them, and each employee is expected to know and comply with their provisions. General Managers and Heads of Function formally confirm on an annual basis that their market or business unit has adequate procedures in place to support SoBC compliance, and continuous information on performance against the Standards is gathered and reported quarterly to the Board Audit Committee.

Standards of Business Conduct

See also Standards of Business Conduct

See also Stakeholder engagement

Responsible Marketing Principles

Our Responsible Marketing Principles (RMP) govern our approach to marketing across our tobacco, nicotine and zero nicotine products and brands*. We believe tobacco and nicotine consumption is a choice for adults only. No one underage should ever smoke or use products containing tobacco or nicotine. Central to the RMP the requirement that our marketing is targeted at adult consumers only. The RMP are globally applicable and apply to all BAT companies, employees and anyone working on our behalf. We uphold the same high standards in every market we operate, even when they are stricter than local laws.

Adherence by our companies forms part of our regular internal audit process, supported by annual self-certification by management and Audit Committee review.

 Responsible Marketing Principles (0.3 mb) 
 

Employment Principles

Our Employment Principles build on our commitment to good employment practices and workplace related human rights. They set out a common approach to our companies’ development of policies and procedures, while recognising that each company must take account of local labour law and practice and the local political, economic and cultural context. All our companies have committed to the Employment Principles and, through our internal audit process, are required to demonstrate that they are embedding them in the workplace. Our auditing also monitors that our companies are strongly encouraging key suppliers to meet similar standards.

Employment Principles (0.1 mb)
 

Supplier Code of Conduct

Our Supplier Code of Conduct complements our Group Standards of Business Conduct by defining the minimum standards we expect our suppliers to adhere to in order to supply goods or services to BAT and any BAT Group company. This builds upon our long-standing commitment to operating to high standards of corporate conduct for both our own business operations and our wider supply chain. It also supports our continuing commitment to respect human rights and uphold international standards, including the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises.

Supplier Code of Conduct 

See also Supply chain management
 

Group Environment Policy

We accept that our companies’ operations affect the environment and we are committed to following high standards of environmental protection, adhering to the principles of sustainable development and protecting biodiversity.

Environment Policy Statement (143 kb)

See also Environment and climate change

Group Circular Economy Position Statement

For BAT, adopting circular economy principles will deliver better products for our consumers, create efficiencies in our operations, offer our employees opportunities to innovate and reduce our overall environmental impact on the planet

Group Circular Economy Position Statement (47 kb)

See also Environment and climate change
 

Group Health and Safety Policy Statement 

We aim to apply the best international standards of practice relating to the health and safety of employees at work and non-company personnel on company premises and to give a high priority to these activities. The Statement is backed by detailed specific requirements.

Group Health and Safety Policy Statement (49 kb)

See also Health and safety
 

Group Quality Policy Statement

BAT’s Group Quality Policy Statement formalises how we strive to deliver defect-free products, processes and capabilities that create sustainable value for our brands while exceeding the expectations of adult consumers. It is the responsibility of the BAT leadership team at all levels to ensure the understanding and implementation of this policy by providing the necessary processes, practices, procedures, resources, and training.

Group Quality Policy Statement (70 kb)
 

Product Stewardship Framework

Our Product Stewardship framework set out the steps we take to ensure our products are developed and manufactured responsibly. It reflects BAT's commitment to have products that meet consistently high quality and safety standards and guides the development and testing of all our products, ensuring we have a rigorous and systematic approach.

Product Stewardship Framework (58 kb)