Use this free Sustainable Purchasing Policy Template to set out how your business approaches procurement in an environmentally and socially resilient way. Our editable sample is an essential resource for meeting corporate social responsibility (CSR) goals. It addresses the economic, social, and environmental impacts associated with company purchases.
It is the policy of [Sender.Company] to practice a continuous improvement approach to sustainability.
With this policy, [Sender.Company] establishes sustainable purchasing as a priority, which will strengthen our commitment to (organizational aim/CSR goal). Our approach will address the social, economic, and environmental aspects of [Sender.Company] ’s procurement of goods and services.
Sustainable purchasing means ensuring that [Sender.Company] ’s suppliers and the services and products they supply deliver value for money. They will generate benefits not only for [Sender.Company] but also for society, the economy, and the environment.
Circular Economy means producing and consuming products in a way that extends their life cycle. That includes but is not limited to repairing, reusing, recycling, refurbishing, and leasing. These practices aim to ensure the highest value and utility.
Substances of Very High Concern refer to substances that have serious and sometimes irreversible effects on the environment and human health. Categories include:
persistent bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) carcinogenic mutagenic, reprotoxic substances (CMR) endocrine disrupting (ED) very persistent and very bioaccumulative substances (vPvB).Carbon-Based Fuels or fossil fuels are products that are used for fuel, industrial processes, heating, and cooling. Examples include natural gas, coal, petroleum products, renewable biomass, and other products containing carbon that emit greenhouse gases, such as methane and carbon dioxide.
This section concerns how your business will implement and uphold the policy. To make your commitment to sustainable purchasing clear, you can name the role or roles within the organization that are responsible for the actions listed.
We commit to the following actions, taking into account traditional purchasing considerations, including budget, availability, and performance requirements.
3.1 Sufficient financial and staff resources are allocated to meeting sustainable outcome goals and reporting the results.
3.2 All staff will review and consider these core strategies when making procurement decisions. Furthermore, (responsible entity) will take the lead in designing, implementing, and reporting on sustainable purchasing.
3.3 We will use products, services, processes, and technologies that reduce the consumption of natural resources.
3.4 We will employ processes that reduce waste.
3.5 Seek products, services, processes, and technologies that support a Circular Economy and biodiversity and minimize environmental and human exposure to Substances of Very High Concern.
3.5 Prioritize processes, goods, services, or technologies that support transparency in [Sender.Company] ’s supply chain.
3.6 Invest in fuel-efficient products, services, processes, or technologies that reduce the use of Carbon-Based Fuels.
3.7 Design procurement processes to support a diverse contractor base, including small and minority-owned or women-owned businesses.
3.8 Verify sustainability by choosing products or services that are independently certified to show they meet a certain standard.