The Sustainable Procurement Task Force was established in May 2005, charged with drawing up an action plan to bring about a step-change in sustainable public procurement so that the UK is among the leaders in the EU by 2009.

The National Action Plan, launched on 12 June 2006, summarises the views and position of the members of the Sustainable Procurement Task Force. It gives recommendations on how the UK Government can succesfully meet its target of being recognised as amongst the leaders in sustainable procurement across EU Member States by 2009. The UK Government will review the National Action Plan and respond in full in Autumn 2006. Its future policy with respect to sustainable procurement will be informed by this response. This report does not represent the views of the UK Government.

The Task Force was chaired of Sir Neville Simms, who is a leading private sector exponent of sustainable development. In addition to the action plan, Task Force members joined specialist working groups. The reports from these working groups can be downloaded from the links below.

A substantial body of research was commissioned to supplement Task Force members' own experience and provide a robust evidence base for the recommendations. The full Task Force met five times during the year to consider the output from the working groups and the research, and to help shape the National Action Plan.

Related Links:

• Procuring the Future - Sustainable Procurement National Action Plan
• Sustainable procurement case studies