» Resources » The fundamentals of ISO 20400 explained Blog The fundamentals of ISO 20400 explained When you read the ISO 20400 standard, one of the foundation clauses which is very important to helping you achieve your sustainability outcomes is Clause 4 – The Fundamentals. Before you start on your sustainability journey, there are some key principles that you need to align with, and ensure that you are flowing down to your supply chain: Accountability – being accountable for negative impacts on the triple bottom line – social, economic, and environmental sustainability. Transparency – being transparent about your procurement decisions that may negatively affect the triple bottom line. Ethical behaviour – in your organisation and especially the procurement process. Full and fair opportunity – within your tendering process, emphasis on encouraging diversity within the supply chain. Respect for stakeholder interests – both internal and external stakeholders. Respect for the rule of law and international norms of behaviour – where legislation applies for e.g., modern slavery, waste management, carbon reduction. Respect for human rights – respecting internationally recognised human rights. Innovative solutions – sustainable solutions by their very nature are innovative solutions. Ensure you include for innovation to be part of the tendering process. Focus on need – challenge the business need/requirement for economies of scale, sustainable alternatives. Integration – of your sustainability criteria, your identified risks, and opportunities throughout the procurement process. Analysis of all costs – incurred over the life cycle and whole life costing is considered. Continual improvement – working towards continually improving your sustainability performance as an organisation and within your supply chains Can your organisation demonstrate that it upholds these principles and ensures that its supply chains do the same? Go-Ahead say that they operate with the ISO 20400:2017 standard on sustainable procurement, which includes accountability, transparency, respect for human rights and ethical behaviour. They ensure that their suppliers are upholding the same values. How are they doing it? Click here to gain some insights into this and read our case study with Go-Ahead Group. Sustainable Procurement is not as daunting if you understand from the outset some of the secrets to success. Our Director Shaun McCarthy lays out the Ten Commandments of Sustainable Procurement to ensure you don’t stumble on your journey. Speak to our sustainable procurement specialists in a free discovery call to futureproof your supply chain and meet your ESG goals. Mellita D'Silva Mar 23, 2023 Share: Related Articles July 2025 COâ‚‚ Performance Ladder How the COâ‚‚ Performance Ladder Complements Leading Building Sustainability Standards Sarah Chatfield July 2025 COâ‚‚ Performance Ladder How the COâ‚‚ Performance Ladder Complements Leading Building Sustainability Standards Reducing carbon emissions in the built environment is a priority for both policymakers and industry. As sustainability standards like BREEAM, LEED, and Level(s) help improve the environmental performance of buildings, the COâ‚‚ Performance Ladder plays a unique and complementary role: focusing not just on buildings, but on the organisations and supply chains behind them. Understanding […] Keagan Allin July 2025 Blog How Heatwaves Affect Your Business – and What to Do About It Ross Primmer July 2025 Blog How Heatwaves Affect Your Business – and What to Do About It What is a Heatwave? A popular flavour of crisps….? a good day to go to the beach….? a hosepipe ban…? Heatwave is a word that we often hear but have you ever stopped to think about what the term means, and why we seem to be using it more often? In the UK, the Met […] Keagan Allin July 2025 COâ‚‚ Performance Ladder Comparing EcoVadis with the COâ‚‚ Performance Ladder Sarah Chatfield July 2025 COâ‚‚ Performance Ladder Comparing EcoVadis with the COâ‚‚ Performance Ladder The EcoVadis rating system and the COâ‚‚ Performance Ladder (the Ladder) are two powerful tools that support organisations in improving sustainability performance. While they share some common goals, they take different approaches. Understanding how they complement each other can help companies strengthen both internal strategy and supply chain engagement. Understanding the tools EcoVadis provides sustainability […] Keagan Allin