SUSTAINABLE
PROCUREMENT POLICY
Approved By
Director Financial Services
Executive Director, Finance and Resources
1 Purpose
The Sustainable Procurement Policy outlines the principles to ensure compliance with the
UWA Sustainability Policy through sustainable procurement practices.
2 Definitions
Sustainable Procurement is a process whereby organisations meet their needs for purchasing goods
and services in a way that achieves value for money on a whole of life cycle cost basis, in terms of
generating benefits not only for the organisation, but also to society and the economy, whilst
minimising damage to the environment.
Whole of life costs: The total cost of ownership or use of service over the life of that asset or service,
commonly referred to as “cradle to grave”.
3 Policy Statement
The University of Western Australia is committed to ensuring that all the goods and services it
procures:

are manufactured, delivered, used and disposed of in an environmentally and socially
responsible manner

deliver long term value for money for the University
By addressing sustainability, reducing environmental impacts and making efficient use of resources,
The University demonstrates that it is committed to achieving sustainable development.
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All members of staff making purchasing decisions should be aware of the principles of sustainable
procurement and are required to consider environmental impacts and opportunities during the
procurement process, particularly during the early stages of the procurement process when defining
business needs, market analysis, tender and quotation strategy before going out to the market.
A procurement specification and the evaluation of tenders or quotations is to proceed on a total cost of
ownership basis where the sustainable values should be considered alongside other matters related to
acquisition, operation, maintenance, disposal and retirement throughout the full product life cycle.
Financial and budget implications of sustainable procurement options are to be carefully considered
alongside value for money before making a decision from a sustainability perspective. Procurement
decisions are subject to review and could subsequently be revised if found not to demonstrate value
for money.
Values to consider include but not limited to; ‘resource extraction and consumption; manufacturing and
production; transport and logistics; product and asset design; use and maintenance; recycling and
disposal options; employee rights and conditions corruption, unfair competition and ethical
behaviour’1.
3.1.1 Environmental
Full consideration should be given to minimising environmental impact of the purchase across the
whole of life cycle and supply chain, which should be monitored and reviewed prior to any purchasing
decision. The University’s demand and consumption should be considered from the outset of any
procurement and reduced wherever possible with a culture of cost and impact reduction - reduce,
reuse & recycle.
Purchasers should give preference to goods containing recycled or recyclable materials and energy
efficient goods if it can be demonstrated that they represent value for money.
3.1.2 Disposal
Environmental and social issues and impacts must be considered when deciding if and
how equipment should be disposed. The end of life decision involves examining whether disposal is
really necessary or if it is possible to extend the useful life by repairing, refurbishing, modifying or
upgrading. Disposal needs to be undertaken with probity, ensuring it is ethically honest, that there is
no conflict of interest and in an open and accountable manner, with due consideration given to
dangerous or environmentally-unfriendly goods.
The means and timing of when an asset will be disposed of is normally taken into consideration as
part of the whole-of-life cycle costing.
3.1.3 Buy Local
Staff should be aware that preference should be given to goods produced in Australia. Duty may be
applicable if the goods have been obtained from an overseas supplier when Australian supply is
available. If large value items are being purchased from overseas then preferential treatment should
be given to any supplier with a higher relative Australian content.
1
Source: APCC – Australian and New Zealand Government framework for Sustainable Procurement
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3.1.4 Ethical Procurement
Staff should also consider the following ethical principles within the supply chain when
seeking to procure from a supplier:

Regulatory compliance
• Suppliers shall comply with all national and other applicable law and regulations.

Employment
• There is no forced, bonded or involuntary prison labour.
• Children and young persons under 18 shall not be employed at night or in hazardous
conditions.

Right to a living wage
• Wages paid for a standard working week meet or exceed national (or, where
applicable, local) legal standards.
• All workers should be provided with written and comprehensible information about
their employment conditions in respect to wages before they enter employment and
the particulars of their wages for the pay period concerned each time that they are
paid.

Employment Relationships
• Suppliers should establish recognised employment relationships with their employees
that are in accordance with their national law and good practice

Freedom of Association
• Suppliers should not prevent or discourage employees from joining trade unions

Avoidance of excessive working hours
• Standard working hours must comply with national laws and national benchmark
industry standards; whichever affords greater protection to the employee.

No discrimination
• A policy of equality for all should be in place and there should be no discrimination in
hiring, compensation, access to training, promotion, termination or retirement based
on race, caste, national origin, religion, age, disability, gender, marital status, sexual
orientation, religious beliefs, union membership or political affiliation

Safe and Healthy Working Conditions
• To provide a safe and healthy working environment bearing in mind international
standards, the prevailing knowledge of the industry and of any specific hazards.
• To take adequate steps to prevent accidents and injury to health arising out of,
associated with, or occurring in the course of work, by minimising, so far as is
reasonably practicable, the causes of hazards inherent in the working practice and
environment.
• Provide workers with suitable and sufficient health and safety training, in order that
they fully understand the hazards associated with the work activity and environment
and the correct practices required minimising the risks.
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3.1.5 Fairtrade
Purchasing staff should consider the support and aims of fair trade to assist producers in
developing countries to rise out of poverty through increased trade at a fair price
covering the cost of sustainable production and investment sustainable social,
environmental and economic development within their communities. Selecting fair trade
products builds a more sustainable future for future generations.
4 Related Policies or legislation
Overarching Purchasing Policy
Asset Disposal Policy
UWA Sustainability Policy
Useful links:
Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply - www.cips.org/en-au/
Sustainable Procurement Practice Guidelines Fair Trade Association - www.fta.org.au/
APCC – Assessing a Suppliers Sustainability Credentials - www.apcc.gov.au
Good Environmental Choice Australia - www.geca.org.au
Towards Zero Waste - www.zerowastewa.com.au
OGC - Buy Green and make a Difference - www.ogc.gov.uk
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