Sustainable and circular procurement is a process of acquiring goods or services which aims to maximise environmental, social and economic benefits throughout the life cycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By adopting sustainable and circular procurement practices, businesses contribute to a greener and more resilient economy. This also includes favouring, where possible, suppliers engaged in ecological and ethical practices, which reduces the overall environmental impact. This approach will help reduce acquisition costs in the long term as products last longer and are reused. In addition, it strengthens the company\u2019s image by positioning it as a responsible player committed to protecting the environment and social values. By promoting these ethical and sustainable practices, companies also improve the resilience of their supply chain, making it less vulnerable to disruptions and fluctuations in resources.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Sustainable procurement<\/strong> is a broader concept that is based on the three pillars of sustainability and focuses on the environmental, social, and economic impact throughout the life cycle of purchased products and services. It aims to minimise environmental impact, promote social responsibility and foster a sustainable economy by choosing environmentally friendly and ethically sourced products and services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Circular procurement<\/strong>, which applies the principles of circular economy, aims to use resources or raw materials optimally and maintain their value in order to maximise their use while preserving their initial properties and qualities for as long as possible. This model encourages upstream thinking, for example by designing products that are easily disassembled to facilitate the recovery and reuse of components and therefore helps reduce dependence on the extraction of new raw materials and minimise environmental impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Further information:<\/strong> For more details on the features and benefits, please read the article Sustainable and circular procurement in businesses<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Engage key internal participants, including company employees, to ensure support for sustainable procurement initiatives. Obtaining this internal support is crucial for the successful implementation of the policy. Ensure you have the commitment and support of management and leaders to drive sustainable procurement initiatives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This first step consists in drawing up a detailed inventory of the requirements and purchases made by your company as well as examining your potential procurement procedures, your code of conduct for suppliers or your current general purchasing terms and conditions. To do this, group goods and services into purchasing families and identify strategic suppliers. This inventory makes it possible to assess the environmental impacts associated with each purchasing family and to measure the environmental performance of your suppliers. Typical questions to consider when assessing products and suppliers are provided in the section below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Based on this inventory, you can identify areas for improvement and define your objectives, aligned with the values and sustainability goals of your company. To do this, consider the following guiding questions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Define clear selection criteria for products and suppliers, as well as what is expected of them. Involve internal parties (management, purchasing department, sustainability) in developing this strategy and clearly communicate the objectives and expectations to all participants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When evaluating purchases, consider not only the upfront cost, but also indirect expenses such as maintenance, operational costs, and end-of-life management.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Raise awareness and train purchasing teams and other in-house participants on the principles of sustainable and circular procurement and their benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Free training is available through:<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition, the National Institute for Sustainable Development and Corporate Responsibility (INDR<\/a>) can support companies in their sustainable procurement approach as part of CSR certification<\/p>\n\n\n\n For further information: Cluster Initiatives have been set up to develop solutions\/products in cooperation with other companies, research centres, etc. On topics such as materials and manufacturing processes, or wood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Further information: Seek the expertise of an approved engineering office or consultant<\/strong> Attention: incentive effect to be complied with when applying for subsidies (state or otherwise) and subject to meeting the eligibility conditions.<\/strong> Under the Fit 4 Sustainability programme, it is possible to co-finance an environmental audit + action plan, including on product circularity (product life cycle assessment). N.B. State subsidies cannot be combined for the same project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Set up performance indicators to measure progress towards sustainable procurement targets and conduct regular audits and assessments to ensure compliance with sustainability criteria and identify opportunities for improvement. Communicate transparently and regularly about sustainable procurement initiatives and achievements to all parties involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n EMAS<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n CSR label<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n SDK label<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Cradle to Cradle<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n ISO 20400<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n B Corp<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n FairTrade<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n PEFC<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n FSC<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n European Ecolabel<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Through reuse, repair, reconditioning and recycling, this model extends the lifespan of products and materials, creating closed-loop cycles in which resources are continually recovered, thus eliminating the notion of waste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/span>Definition of requirements<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Engaging internal participants within the company and gaining their support<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
2. Analysis of the current situation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Implementation of specific measures<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Development and deployment of a sustainable and circular procurement strategy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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2. Training and awareness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Have an analysis conducted by an approved engineering office or consultant<\/a>, while benefiting from the state subsidies below. They will be able to challenge the company on its current practices and help implement a procurement policy, general terms and conditions, supplier codes of conduct, etc.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<\/span>State subsidy application<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
State subsidies<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
To ensure that the \u2018incentive effect\u2019 is respected, no binding commitment (signing a quotation; paying an advance) may be made BEFORE submitting the application file or receiving the agreement in principle from the State or the electricity and natural gas supplier following an application for aid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\u201cFit 4 Sustainability\u201d programme<\/a> (Analysis)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Subsidy of up to 50%, 60% and 70% of the fees for carrying out an environmental study (energy audit and\/or carbon footprint) + detailed, costed action plan to reduce one\u2019s consumption\/GHGs (greenhouse gases) (medium- and long-term investment, ROI, etc.) – open to SMEs and large companies (except those required to carry out a statutory audit).<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
SME Packages – Sustainability<\/strong><\/a> <\/strong>(Analysis and\/or implementation of measures)<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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SME aid scheme – Aid for consultancy services<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Environmental protection scheme – Investment aid for the protection of the environment<\/a> (Implementation)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Aid RSE Starter Kit<\/strong><\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Aid for 1st ESR label<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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<\/span>Monitoring and certifications<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Monitoring and evaluation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Certifications and labels<\/h3>\n\n\n\n