Purpose

We aim to ensure that the goods and services we develop and purchase are manufactured, used and disposed of in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. Our decisions should (where practical) consider the whole life cost of the product and the associated risks and implications for society and the environment.

As part of this we recognise that it is our responsibility to encourage and work with our suppliers to minimise negative environmental and social effects associated with the products and services that they provide. Procurement and product development can make a significant contribution to our goals by ensuring that we promote sustainable practices and the goods and services we develop and buy consider optimum environmental performance.

This policy standard sets out the requirements and expectations of our policy of sustainable and ethical procurement. Specifically, it addresses the expectation that our staff and suppliers have a natural respect for our ethical standards in the context of their own particular culture, and that relationships with our suppliers are always based on the principle of fair and honest dealings.

Pledge and Procedure

We pledge to conduct our procurement activity with integrity, delivering value for money outcomes for the business, in an ethical and sustainable way. When looking for new suppliers as part of our selection process we:

• seek companies that share our commitment to sound environmental performance and who understand our business needs
• explore the ability to source certain products from local suppliers, where possible, via routes with the lowest environmental impact

Where relevant we will evaluate products developed and purchased based on long-term value for money, using whole life costing to assess:

• purchase, routing and supply chain costs
• handling and operating costs at final point of discharge and usage
• transit packaging costs
• management costs including staff training, insurance, health and safety and environmental costs
• disposal costs.

Before any new supplier is brought on board, the Ethical Policy and Questionnaire is required to be completed to identify whether a supplier’s practices are in line with ours. As part of our relationship with a supplier, we will:

• work in partnership to minimise the environmental and social impacts of our supply chain
• use our influence to encourage suppliers to undertake sustainability initiatives both within their local area and in conjunction with their own supply chain
• encourage suppliers to propose innovations and suppliers will recognise the company’s commitment to sustainability and strive to offer cost effective sustainable solutions.