Initiative
Sustainable purchasing
About the initiative
Training and Recognition
We recognize that a company like ours, with its purchasing power, can help drive the local economy and boost positive social and environmental impacts. In addition to working to bring new sustainable suppliers into our supply chain, we are also committed to supporting the ones we already work with — promoting training, encouraging best practices, and collaborating to create more efficient solutions.
In Brazil, initiatives like the Meli ESG Summit and materials designed specifically for our partners, such as the ESG Best Practices Guide for Carriers, show how we have been supporting our partners and driving a more responsible business ecosystem. Plus, in the second edition of the Meli Awards - our way of recognizing the amazing work of the thousands of companies that are part of our supply and service chain - we added ESG as one of the selection criteria.
To include a larger number of these businesses in our chain of suppliers, since 2019 we have implemented a policy guiding our internal divisions in selecting enterprises committed to sustainability. For example, certified companies or companies that are in the process of certification, suppliers of certified products, and social enterprises and NGOs with proven social and/or environmental impact.
Selection criteria
We have established guidelines to determine when a company or organization can be considered sustainable and eligible to be a supplier for Mercado Libre. These guidelines may be adjusted over time based on advances and knowledge related to sustainability. Here are some examples of practices considered:
Social criteria:
- Products or services offering solutions or better conditions as to social environment, housing, health care, education, mobility, and transport to highly vulnerable populations.
- Job creation in locations with low employment levels.
- Hiring people or suppliers that promote inclusion.
- Social and cultural capital generation at a local level, connecting the job market and the production sector with cultural heritage and local knowledge.
Environmental criteria:
- Offering services, technology, or products that promote the restoration or regeneration of ecosystems or the circular economy.
- Setting goals and implementing actions to reduce their environmental impact.
- Selling or using biodynamic or ecological products as raw material.
- Execution of contracts requiring suppliers to meet environmental criteria.
Examples of certifications:
- Organic certification labels;
- FSC certification;
- Fairtrade certification;
- ISO 14001;
- OHSAS 18001;
- B Corporation;
- LEED;
- Rainforest Alliance;
- Origens do Brasil.
Benefits
We offer special prices and payment terms to businesses that stand out in this category as compared to traditional suppliers.
We provide benefits to companies that deliver products or services with a positive impact.
Learn more about our initiatives
MELI Code+
The Code of Ethics for Suppliers and Business Partners represents our commitment to sustainability, ethics, and social responsibility throughout every step of our value chain.
Third-Party Risk Management Program
Before entering into a business relationship, suppliers undergo a due diligence process where they are assessed on factors like information security, data privacy, and corruption, among others.
Whistleblower channel
We provide a channel through which employees, suppliers and outsourced professionals can anonymously report violations of the MELI Code.
