Many organisations are recognising the importance of managing their supply chains in a more responsible way. The word 'procurement' is now frequently preceded by 'sustainable' 'green', or 'responsible'. However it is widely acknowledged that the procurement profession is struggling to develop the skills to meet the sustainable procurement agenda. Pockets of good practice in this field do exist, and organisations are getting better at producing sustainable procurement policies, and strategies, yet there is a significant lack of relevant knowledge, skills and leadership in the procurement profession which impedes the implementation and embedding of sustainable procurement. 

In order to address this challenge, BS 8903: Principles and Framework for Procuring Sustainability is currently being developed which intends to help organisations and individuals consider and implement sustainable practices within their procurement processes, and management of their supply chains. Sustainable procurement means only purchasing goods that are really needed, and buying items or services whose production, use and disposal both minimize negative impacts and encourage positive outcomes for the environment and society. Sustainable procurement is basically good procurement achieving the optimum balance of economic, social and environmental impacts to ensure an organisation can operate both efficiently and responsibly. 

It is hoped that the development of BS 8903 will:

BS 8903 aims to build on the success of the sustainable event standard, BS 8901. This standard was finalised in 2008 and has demonstrated how the publication of a standard can drive the sustainability agenda, stimulating organisations to address their sustainability impacts as a mechanism to deliver competitive advantage. 

BS 8903 will be going out to public consultation in March 2010. 

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