Procurement with a focus on legal, environmental and social aspects
Improving procurement through advice, hands-on support, training and capacity development. Contact us to find out how we can help with strategy, market engagement, tender documentation and evaluation.
Compliance
Compliance with EU and national public procurement rules.
Strategy
Developing and implementing procurement strategy.
Sustainability
Achieving environmental, social and economic impact.
Engagement
Market and supplier engagement
Costing
Whole-life and life-cycle costing
Policy
Policy development and impact assessment.
Commentary
What is sustainable public procurement?
Sustainable public procurement (SPP) takes into account the life cycle environmental, social and economic impacts of the goods, services or works being purchased. This means that instead of focusing on purchase price alone, buyers and suppliers look at a range of criteria linked to the production, use and end-of-life of assets. It does not necessarily imply higher costs, but does require knowledge and capacity.
SPP can be carried out in accordance with the EU Procurement Directives and many authorities at national, regional and local level have adopted a policy. Internationally, there is growing awareness of the importance of SPP and this is reflected in the work of many international organisations including the United Nations and multilateral development banks. Over time, many legal regimes have moved from authorising SPP, to mandating it.
Abby Semple LL.B Ph.D
Principal Consultant
Over the past 19 years Abby has worked with over 250 public authorities across Europe and international organisations including the European Commission, WIPO and OECD. Abby is a regular conference speaker and author of guidance, policy briefs, articles, book chapters and A Practical Guide to Public Procurement, published by Oxford University Press in March 2015.
