By providing a platform for best practice in all areas of economic activity, from agriculture to banking, ISO International Standards contribute to the sustainable production of food and resources as well as sustainable employment.
Sustainable procurement is the process of making purchasing decisions that meet an organization’s needs for goods and services in a way that benefits not only the organization but society as a whole, while minimizing environmental impacts. This is achieved by ensuring that the working conditions of suppliers and their employees are decent, the products and services purchased are sustainable, and socioeconomic issues, such as inequality and poverty, are addressed.
ISO 20400 helps organizations develop sustainable and ethical purchasing practices that also benefit the societies in which they operate. It includes guidelines for implementing ethical processes throughout the supply chain, and guidelines for integrating sustainability into an organization’s procurement processes. The standard defines the principles of sustainable procurement, including accountability, transparency, respect for human rights and ethical behaviour, and highlights key considerations such as risk management and priority setting. It also covers various stages of the procurement process, outlining the steps required to integrate social responsibility into the purchasing function.
ISO 20400 is aimed at organizations of all sizes, in both the public and private sectors, as it applies to virtually every purchasing decision from office supplies and caterers to energy providers, building materials and more. It covers the political and strategic aspects of the purchasing process, namely, how to align procurement with an organization’s goals and objectives and create a culture of sustainability.
ISO 26000 helps clarify the meaning of social responsibility, helps businesses and organizations translate principles into effective actions, shares global best practices, and provides guidance. The standard was launched in 2010 representing a consensus among many different stakeholders around the world, including representatives of governments, NGOs, industry, consumer groups and labour organizations. It is aimed at all types of organizations regardless of their activity, size or location.
Sustainable procurement is a key aspect of social responsibility. ISO 26000 formed the basis of ISO 20400, drawing on the same principles and core subjects of human rights, labour practices and fair business practices. As such, ISO 20400 and ISO 26000 will help individuals working in procurement to integrate the principles of social responsibility within the purchasing process.
