AS ISO 20400:2018 pdf free.Sustainable procurement- Guidance.
4 Understanding the fundamentals
4.1 Concept of sustainable procurement
Sustainable procurement is procurement that has the most positive environmental, social and economic impacts possible across the entire life cycle and that strives to minimize adverse impacts.
Sustainable procurement is a powerful instrument when an organization considers sustainability requirements and its own contribution to sustainable development.
4.2 Principles of sustainable procurement
The main principles for sustainable procurement are the following.
— Accountability: An organization should be accountable for its own impacts on society, the economy and the environment. En the context of procurement, this specifically includes accountability for impacts and for those on the organization’s supply chains, with a life cycle perspective on goods or services.
— Transparency: An organization should be transparent in those decisions and activities that impact the environment, society and the economy. In the context of procurement, this specifically includes being transparent in its procurement decisions and activities and encouraging its suppliers to be transparent. Transparency is the basis for stakeholder dialogue and collaboration.
— Ethical behaviour: An organization should behave ethically and promote ethical behaviour throughout its supply chains.
— Full and fair opportunity: An organization should avoid bias and prejudice in all procurement decision-making. All suppliers, including local suppliers and small and medium-sized organizations (SMOs) should have a full and fair opportunity to compete.
— Respect for stakeholder interests: An organization should respect, consider and respond to the interests of stakeholders impacted by its procurement activities.
— Respect for the rule of law and international norms of behaviour: An organization should strive to be aware of any violations throughout its supply chains. It should actively encourage its suppliers to abide by these rules and assess and address compliance as situations require.
— Respect for human rights: An organization should respect internationally recognized human rights.
— Innovative solutions: An organization should seek solutions to address its sustainability objectives and encourage innovative procurement practices to promote more sustainable outcomes throughout entire supply chain.
— Focus on needs: An organization should review demand, buy only what is needed and seek more sustainable alternatives.AS ISO 20400 pdf download.