» Resources » ISO 20400 2017-2021 Progress Report Company News ISO 20400 2017-2021 Progress Report Foreword by Shaun McCarthy OBE In December 2016 the committee developing the ISO 20400 standard finally finished four years of painstaking work to develop a robust standard for sustainable procurement. The standard was published in April 2017 with various events around the world to celebrate the launch. I led the UK delegation of the committee and have since sponsored and hosted a free global knowledge sharing platform www.iso20400.org. The international steering committee behind this platform commissioned this report to gain some insight into how the standard has been used and what lessons we may learn from the experience. My thanks go to Ross Primmer for his diligent research and to the many people who supported him by taking part in interviews. So, what have we learned? The first important lesson is the standard works as a practical framework to deliver sustainable procurement regardless of country, culture, sector, or business size. This is a great compliment to those people who worked for many hours over a four-year period to reach international consensus about what works and what does not. ISO 20400 is a guidance standard that cannot be certified, many users find this approach refreshing, others would like to see a certificate on the wall. This debate will doubtless continue as the standard reaches its five-year review. The emphasis on sustainability around the world has amplified many times since the standard was published and the realisation that most things, that most organisations deliver are done through supply chains is becoming more and more apparent. This report also concludes that more must be done to inform, educate and inspire people to understand how they manage their supply chains in a different way. We all have a responsibility to do this. Big purchasers need to lead the way and those providing education, training and professional qualifications need to help people to understand that the proven methodology recommended by this standard can make a difference to the world we live in. You can view the ISO20400 2017-2021 Progress Report in full here. Ross Primmer Consultant Jan 5, 2022 Share: Related Articles May 2025 Blog How to Shift Mindsets on Climate (Without the Usual Doom and Gloom) Ross Primmer May 2025 Blog How to Shift Mindsets on Climate (Without the Usual Doom and Gloom) Today you’re never far away from a headline which talks about the climate and biodiversity emergency. We’re well versed, and arguably fatigued, with articles about rising levels of greenhouse gas in the atmosphere or declines in species diversity across the globe. Yet, despite these alarming headlines, emissions are rising and rates of extinction increase. The […] Keagan Allin May 2025 Blog Reflections on Sustainable Procurement: Progress, Challenges, and the Path Ahead Sarah Chatfield May 2025 Blog Reflections on Sustainable Procurement: Progress, Challenges, and the Path Ahead As sustainable procurement continues to evolve, it’s crucial to assess where we stand, how we can build on our momentum, and the role ISO 20400 has played in advancing the field—and how it can continue to accelerate progress. World Sustainable Procurement Day provided an excellent opportunity for Shaun McCarthy from ISO 20400.org and me to […] Keagan Allin April 2025 Blog From Buzzword to Backbone: Making the Business Case for AI in Responsible Procurement Vaishali Baid April 2025 Blog From Buzzword to Backbone: Making the Business Case for AI in Responsible Procurement AI is no longer just a shiny tech buzzword. AI is everywhere now within organisations and is taking a priority to reshape business operations, and procurement is not left behind. It’s right in the thick of this transformation. But when it comes to responsible procurement, AI isn’t just a tool for efficiency, it has the […] Keagan Allin