PUBLIC PROCUREMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
GUIDANCE FOR SUPPLIERS
Introduction
1. Scottish taxpayers have a right to expect that their money is spent both wisely and fairly. It is, therefore, the Scottish Government's policy that value for money through competition should be at the heart of public procurement. The Scottish Government is also committed to playing a full role in Scotland's sustainable development and has implemented comprehensive environmental policies in support of this goal. When we buy goods and services we aim to do so in a way which minimises impact on the environment. We hope that our suppliers share our commitment to continuous environmental improvement.
2. In an effort to provide guidance to small businesses the Environment Protection Agencies of Scotland, England and Wales and Northern Ireland's Environment and Heritage Service joined forces to develop NetRegs - a unique online resource to help businesses understand their environmental obligations.
The website www.netregs.gov.uk - explains complex legislation, using plain language and also provides good practice advice, which can help business save money and become more competitive.
The website is anonymous, as there is no need to register, and includes general management guidelines on regulations governing issues such as packaging, energy use and waste disposal, that apply to most businesses.
3. The purpose of this note is to set out, in broad terms, some of the ways in which the Scottish Government's sustainable development policies affect procurement. It contains some important messages for those wishing to sell to the Scottish Government;
It is important that our suppliers keep pace with environmental developments in their particular markets. Failure to do so may mean that they will find it increasingly difficult to compete. It is important that our suppliers keep pace with environmental developments in their particular markets.
Those who fail to comply with environmental legislation may be excluded from selling to the Scottish Government; and
Development of environmentally preferable goods and services and use of recycled/renewable materials is likely to offer a competitive advantage.
These are intended as positive messages. We want our suppliers to play a full part in helping us meet our environmental objectives and encourage improved performance. We also want to be kept informed of new and developing environmentally preferable products, technologies or services. Details may be provided to the Scottish Government via the business enquiry facility at the Scottish Procurement website (see the references section below).
The note should be read in conjunction with "Public Procurement and Sustainable Development: Guidelines for Public Purchasers" and the Scottish Government's "Greening Government Operations" policy statement, both of which are available via the internet (see the references section below).
Procurement and the Environment
The following key principles describe, in broad terms, the ways in which the Scottish Government intends to take account of environmental issues in its procurement of goods, works and services:
Where environmentally preferable goods and services are viable on cost and quality grounds and are both affordable and readily available, they will usually be specified to the exclusion of others;
Whole life costs will be taken into account in the award of contracts;
Bidders will be required to disclose details of any breaches of environmental legislation. Those found to have an unsatisfactory track record in complying with environmental legislation may be excluded from bidding for contracts until such time as they can demonstrate that appropriate remedial action has been taken;
All other things being equal, the Scottish Government will, when awarding contracts, give preference to suppliers who demonstrate that the goods and services they offer are environmentally preferable;
v. Where it is practical and economically viable to do so, the Scottish Government intends to specify the use of renewable or recycled materials in its contracts;
vi. Where it is relevant to the product or service to be purchased, the Scottish Government will seek evidence that suppliers have in place appropriate environmental management policies. Suppliers are, therefore, encouraged to implement environmental management schemes; and
vii. Suppliers claiming that their products or services are environmentally preferable will be expected to provide evidence. Suppliers are, therefore, encouraged to take advantage of schemes such as Ecolabelling.
References
Suppliers are encouraged to visit the Scottish Government's "Sustainable Scotland" site at www. sustainablescotland.com/