Sustainable supplier relationships – future-proof growth 

A sustainable enterprise includes developing stable partnerships. Not least, a long-term collaboration also means planning security for everyone involved. On the one hand, it is thus possible to ensure quality in the long term. On the other hand, suppliers acting in accordance with ethical and environmental contractual considerations can be guaranteed. The ISO 20400 guidelines therefore include an obligation not only to ensure the value of the goods, but also to support collaboration with suppliers who act sustainably. 

For a manufacturing company, carefully evaluated procurement is the key to success. The size of the company is entirely irrelevant here. In any case, the choice is not only what to buy, but also from whom. Both are relevant. Because, as a manufacturer, you always have influence over the economic, environmental and social impacts of your purchasing decisions.

Stable business relationships lead to success

Consequently good knowledge of suppliers is part of sustainable procurement. It is not enough to blindly trust that suppliers will deliver the goods which are ordered. An on-site inspection, along with getting to know the people responsible in person, is recommended. The advantage of good relationships is that each party understands the other’s requirements and can ensure that they are not unrealistic and are mutually agreed. This makes it possible not only to ensure quality, but also to avoid the risk of non-delivery or possible fatal impacts on people and the environment with the associated negative publicity.

Sustainable procurement means making purchasing decisions which take various aspects from working conditions through risk management to effects on the environment into consideration and which you can ideally improve. Closer collaboration between purchasers and suppliers thus achieves a better result for everyone.

ISO 20400 as a guide

ISO standard 20400 “Sustainable procurement – Guidance” outlines the basic principles of sustainable procurement and offers guidelines for the implementation of responsibility, transparency and ethical conduct in the procurement process. It is the first international standard of this type in the world.

The framework conditions for the development process are not readily apparent in the end product. Juice is also aware of this and makes its continuous efforts to achieve more sustainable procurement visible externally with certification in accordance with ISO 20400. The technology company thus also ensure transparency towards customers and investors. However, ISO certification is more of an obligation than an award. Because the biggest challenge for all certifications is not achieving them in the first place, but rather maintaining them. That’s why periodic inspection of conformity with the ISO standard by an independent auditor is decisive in this case as well. Juice was certified in accordance with ISO 20400 for the first time at the end of 2021.

[Quellen]
https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/themen/neuer-standard-fuer-nachhaltige-beschaffung-iso 
https://www.bmk.gv.at/themen/klima_umwelt/nachhaltigkeit/unternehmen/standards/iso20400.html 
https://www.forum-csr.net/News/10714/Man-ist-was-man-kauft.html