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.
The process follows the model below.
Please note that the process applies solely to the national collaboration. Individual regions may have their own escalation processes for matters that fall outside the scope of the national collaboration. Decisions concerning an individual region’s contract, such as sanctions, suspension of call-offs or termination, are made by the respective region.
You can download the full document here.
Definitions & clarifications
Action plan
The supplier’s documented plan for addressing identified deficiencies, including activities, responsibilities and a timeline.
Established action plan
Means that the action plan has been approved by both the auditor and the supplier.
Deviation
A confirmed or suspected failure to comply with contractual requirements or other requirements monitored within the framework of the collaboration.
Incident
When a suspected or likely serious non-conformity is brought to attention by an external party, such as civil society, research institutes or the media.
National collaboration
The joint activities coordinated within the Swedish Regions’ Network for Sustainable Procurement. Decisions that can only be made by a contracting party are made by the respective region.
Sanction
A contractual measure that may be applied when deficiencies persist or previous measures have not had the intended effect.
Severe deviation
Forced labour, child labour, working conditions that pose a risk to life, serious environmental damage, large-scale corruption, and attacks on environmental and human rights defenders.
Suspension of call-offs
A decision to fully or partially suspend new call-offs or orders from a supplier under the relevant contract.