ISO 20400, Sustainable procurement – Guidance, the world’s first international standard for sustainable procurement, aims to help organizations develop and implement sustainable purchasing practices and policies.
Sustainable procurement entails making purchasing decisions that meet an organization’s needs in a way that benefits them, society, and the environment. The process involves ensuring that suppliers behave ethically, that the products and services are sustainable, and that purchasing decisions help to address social, economic, and environmental issues.
ISO 20400 provides guidelines for integrating sustainability into an organization’s procurement policy strategy and process. It also defines the principles of sustainable procurement, such as accountability, transparency, respect for human rights, and ethical behavior.
Jacques Schramm, Chair of ISO/PC 277, the project committee that developed ISO 20400 said the benefits of sustainable procurement can be far-reaching.
“It is no longer enough for businesses to rely on suppliers to provide them with what they want, no questions asked,” Schramm said.
“Organizations benefit greatly from getting to know their suppliers—understanding what their requirements are as well—to ensure their demands are not unrealistic and that the suppliers they work with have good, ethical practices.
“The risks of not understanding and managing practices throughout the whole supply chain are great. At best, poor-quality products or ruptures of stock can result. At worst, disasters like the Rana Plaza in Bangladesh in 2013 can happen. Sustainable procurement helps to minimize risks such as these by encouraging buyers and suppliers to work closely together for a better result for all.”
ISO 20400 can be purchased from national ISO members or through the ISO Store.