UK-China Trading Limited (UKCT) is involved in the manufacture of products and the delivery of services to support our business objectives. We aim to be responsible when delivering value for our clients, whilst observing sustainable procurement practices.
We define sustainable specification and procurement to be the responsible selection and sourcing of products and services, considering environmental, social, economic and ethical aspects over their whole life-cycle. We recognise that we have the potential to have a negative sustainability impact through the use of a vast number of products and services from a global marketplace.
Through careful consideration and management of our supply chain, we seek to reduce any negative impacts and have a positive impact where possible.
We endeavour to:
1. Consider the sustainability of materials from the outset and specify sustainable products throughout the manufacturing process.
- Take into account environmental impacts when specifying products, referring to the OECD Sustainable Manufacturing Toolkit and ISO 20400 Sustainable Procurement Standard where appropriate.
- Specify products with consideration to the 7-step OECD Sustainable Manufacturing Indicators.
- Incorporate our sustainable specification aspirations within our specification for manufacturers.
- Give preference to materials which:
- Have a low environmental impact.
- Have a high recycled content or can be re-used.
- Help to mitigate issues such as climate change, ecological damage, waste production and water scarcity.
- Have recognised sustainability ratings, such as recycling symbols on packaging.
2. Preferentially source sustainable products and materials
- Review the sustainability credentials of materials and their suppliers as part of the procurement process.
- Refer to relevant standards and guidance during the sourcing of products and materials, for example, ISO 20400 Sustainable Procurement Standard and ISO 14001 Environmental Management.
- Consider transportation distance and mode, including from the original source of extraction/manufacture. Deliver products in the most environmentally friendly way possible, taking into consideration the requested lead time of our clients.
- Require suppliers of goods to ensure that slavery and human trafficking does not take place within their supply chain.
- Procure recycled copier paper for business use that is chlorine free (totally or elementally) and seek to select sustainable stationery and consumables.
3. Select contractors based upon their sustainability credentials and work in partnership to create a more sustainable supply chain
- Use the Greening Government Commitments 2016-2020 as the benchmark basis for demonstrating our commitment to sustainability to our supply chain.
- Encourage all contractors to have appropriate policies and environmental management systems in place as standard.
- Assess contractors based on overall value rather than cost alone during each tender process and ensure sustainability impacts form part of the consideration.
- Work in partnership with appointed contractors to ensure that the environmental and social impacts of their work are minimised.
- Encourage our contractors to sign up to the Supply Chain Sustainability School.
- Follow the commitments as set out within our Anti-Corruption Declaration, which incorporates the requirements of ISO 37001 Anti Bribery Management System.
- Ensure contract prices and terms are ethical, fair, and respected and make payments promptly in line with contractually agreed terms.
- Encourage and support contractors in the provision of training and skills development to their employees.
4. Reduce demand for natural resources within our operations and on site
- Use energy, water and materials efficiently.
- Store and handle materials carefully and re-use materials where possible.
5. Strive for continual improvement and be innovative in our approach
- Work in partnership with our supply chain to understand how sustainability could be improved and tackle any issues.
- Keep up-to-date with emerging standards, materials and practices.
Where practicable and within the framework of commercial value, this policy commits UK-China Trading Ltd to selecting those suppliers, services and products that are environmentally or socially preferable.
The policy should be implemented throughout the whole procurement cycle unless there are compelling prohibitive reasons for it not to be. We expect all suppliers to apply the sustainable procurement principles outlined in this policy during any procurement on behalf of UK-China Trading Ltd, and we reserve the right not to do business with companies where it can be demonstrated that significant violations of this policy exist.
Ultimate responsibility for all matters related to sustainability, including sustainable procurement, rests with the Board of Directors.
This policy will be reviewed at least annually and amended where appropriate.
Signed by: Damien O’Looney
Position: CEO
Date: 20 November 2010
Last reviewed: 4 October 2022