For many years, and in some cases decades, IKEA has formulated programs, rules and policy decisions in many areas that may affect environmental and social welfare issues. Together, these combine to form an IKEA code of conduct, best expressed in IWAY, IKEA Way of Purchasing Home Furniture Products. IWAY

IKEA’s products must be manufactured in a responsible manner. IWAY clearly tells suppliers what they can expect of IKEA, and what IKEA, in turn, demands of them regarding legal requirements, working conditions and approach to forests and the environment.

IKEA and Swedwood expect that every supplier respect basic human rights and treat its employees fairly and with respect. We support the United Nations principles relating to the right to organize and join unions and engage in collective bargaining, the abolition of forced and child labour and all discrimination on the grounds of occupation or terms of employment.

Fundamental IWAY principles that Swedwood applies

Law and order
It is a given that every subcontractor must follow the laws and regulations of its own country, and take into consideration international agreements about environmental protection and working conditions. If national legislation is less demanding than IKEA or Swedwood, however, we follow IWAY.

Safety
Every production unit must have its own safety program, and is required to follow rules regarding personal protective equipment for workers, safety devices, sanitary facilities, drinking water and healthcare.

Environment
IKEA and its suppliers should always strive to cause as little environmental impact as possible, and minimize waste quantities and discharges to the air, soil and water, which are vital natural resources that deserve the greatest protection. All waste should be sorted and recycled as much as feasible. All chemicals must be handled, used, stored and destroyed in an environmentally secure manner.

Respect for nature and raw materials
Suppliers may not use wood originating in national parks, natural preserves, virgin forests and other areas that are deemed by government decision to have a high degree of conservation value.

Wood forms part of the trademarks of both IKEA and Swedwood, which is one reason why we must always treat our foremost raw material with the greatest of consideration during the entire manufacturing process, from its source in nature to its final user, our customer.