Sustainable – procurement purchasing policy
Policy created (2010)
Policy reviewed (2025)
At Oum El-Bouaghi University, we understand that implementing sustainable procurement practices is essential to our dedication to environmental stewardship and social responsibility. Our sustainable procurement policy is designed to ensure that our purchasing processes are in harmony with our sustainability objectives. By evaluating the environmental, social, and economic consequences of our buying decisions, we strive to make choices that foster a more sustainable future. The main components of our policy consist of:
- Sustainable Supplier Selection:
a. Our focus will be on choosing suppliers who show a strong commitment to sustainability, environmental stewardship, and ethical business conduct.
b. We will prioritize suppliers that hold sustainable certifications, such as ISO 14001 for environmental management or Fair Trade certifications.
c. Whenever feasible, we will support local suppliers to bolster the local economy while ensuring that our procurement practices are fair and transparent.
- Environmentally Friendly Products and Services:
a. We will select products and services that have a minimal environmental footprint throughout their entire lifecycle, from raw material extraction to production, usage, and disposal.
b. During the procurement process, we will evaluate the environmental performance, energy efficiency, and recyclability of products.
c .Our goal is to reduce packaging waste and encourage suppliers to utilize eco-friendly packaging materials.
- Ethical and Social Considerations:
a. We will ensure that our procurement practices are in line with social responsibility principles, which include respect for human rights, fair labor practices, and ethical sourcing.
b. We will partner with suppliers who uphold responsible labor practices, ensuring safe working conditions, fair wages, and the elimination of child or forced labor.
c. We will actively foster diversity and inclusivity by collaborating with suppliers from various backgrounds, including small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and businesses owned by underrepresented groups.
- Lifecycle Assessment and Extended Producer Responsibility:
a. We will evaluate the environmental effects of products and services throughout their entire lifecycle, which encompasses resource extraction, manufacturing, usage, and end-of-life disposal.
b. We will motivate suppliers to assume responsibility for their products by establishing extended producer responsibility (EPR) programs, encouraging recycling, and minimizing waste.
- Continuous Improvement and Reporting:
a. We will consistently review and revise our sustainable procurement/purchasing policy to ensure it aligns with emerging best practices and industry standards.
b. We will set performance indicators and targets to monitor our progress in adopting sustainable procurement practices.
c. We will disclose our sustainable procurement successes and challenges in our annual sustainability reports, fostering transparency and accountability.
By following this sustainable procurement/purchasing policy, Oum El-Bouaghi University is dedicated to utilizing its purchasing power to bring about positive environmental and social changes. We will collaborate with our suppliers, stakeholders, and the broader community to promote sustainable procurement practices and contribute to a more sustainable future.