University of Hertfordshire Environment Team

University of Hertfordshire Sustainable Purchasing Policy

The University of Hertfordshire recognises and is committed to carry out its Procurement function incorporating the principles of sustainable purchasing . Purchasing decisions have a major socio-economic and environmental implication, both locally and globally, now and for generations to come. The University aims to ensure that its activities meet the diverse needs of students, the economy and society both now and in the future and it will achieve this through:

The assessment of environmental and corporate risks to the organisation with a commitment to continually improve sustainable performance related to the supply chain.
Complying with all relevant environmental legislation.
Educating suppliers concerning the University's sustainable objectives, which include preventing pollution, minimising waste, preserving natural resources and promoting resource efficiency by eliminating, reducing, reusing and recycling.
Working with key suppliers to bring about changes and thereby spread sustainability improvements through the supply chain. This will include:

Avoiding products with particularly harmful substances
Favouring products with recycled content or that are biodegradable
Buying products using recognised labelling schemes such as FSC or EU Eco Label
Encourage suppliers to achieve environmental credentials such as environmental management systems for ISO14001 or EMAS.

Training and awareness of staff of the University policy and promoting best practice for sustainable purchasing. To include whole life costs of any goods and services to be purchased, this will include as a minimum:

manufacture, delivery, installation,
operating costs including energy, water usage and maintenance
end of life costs including decommissioning and disposal

Addressing barriers to entry so that SME's and local suppliers are encouraged to bid for appropriate work.
Consideration of other corporate social responsibility issues such as race relations, disability, sex and religion.

Ensuring that suppliers' environmental credentials are, as far as legally practicable, considered in the suppliers appraisal process.

Ensuring that, where appropriate, environmental criteria are used in the award of contracts.
Working in partnership with others such as the EAUC and Southern Universities Purchasing Consortium Environment Group to improve sustainable purchasing.