The Escalation Ladder

The Regions’ Joint Escalation Ladder is based on the principle that if deviations or potential risks are identified in the supply chain, the contracting authority and the supplier must always work together to address the deviation or risk as quickly as possible. The aim is to minimise the risk of disruptions to the regions’ operations.

Severe deviation
Failure to meet a requirement that has significant consequences for operations, patients, finances, the environment, or similar areas.

Business meeting
A meeting at an overall strategic level within the scope of all contract areas for a specific supplier. 

Contract manager
The title may vary from region to region. The contract manager is the person who serves as the supplier’s contact during the contract period. This may be a buyer or a procurement officer.

Deviation Failure to meet a requirement.

Dialogue with supplier
Communication with the supplier, such as supplier meetings, email correspondence, or phone calls.

Dialogue partner
The functions responsible for managing non-compliance and follow-up.

Incident
A non-compliance or identified risk that leads to, or could lead to, an event with negative impact.

The regional procurement management network (LfU)
Consists of the regions’ heads of procurement, along with a legal advisor and a procurement expert from SKR.

Supplier
The supplier refers to the region’s contracting party. It is always the responsibility of the contracting party to ensure that non-compliance is resolved, even when it occurs at a third party, such as a subcontractor.

Activity
Activities (Steps 0–2) for handling of supplier related deviations.

Activities and national cooperation
Activities (Steps 3-5) for handling
of supplier related deviations including national cooperation.

Specific activities Specific activities that every single region or
organisation may apply based on its own capabilities

Risk and impact assessment
An assessment of the likelihood and impact of a potential or ongoing non-compliance.

Sanctions
Consequences based on the applicable contract, such as penalties, termination of the contract, or similar actions.

Subcontractor
An actor within the supply chain beyond the contracting party.

Questions
For questions related to a specific contract with a region, please contact the respective region’s contract manager.