Sustainable procurement policy of the Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University
1. General Provisions
1.1. The Sustainable Procurement Policy of the Zaporizhzhia Polytechnic National University (hereinafter – the University) defines the framework for integrating sustainability principles into the planning and execution of procurement for goods, works, and services.
1.2. This document has been developed in accordance with the University’s Development Strategy, aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (specifically SDG 12), and aims to progressively reduce indirect (Scope 3) greenhouse gas emissions within the supply chain.
1.3. The implementation of this Policy shall be implemented taking into account the security situation and the priority of ensuring an uninterrupted educational process under the conditions of martial law.
2. Goals and Objectives
2.1. The goal of this Policy is to transition toward a model of responsible resource consumption by the University.
2.2. The key objectives are:
- Implementation of Life Cycle Costing (LCC) for goods.
- Minimization of environmental impact through the selection of energy-efficient and eco-friendly solutions.
- Support for ethical labor standards and local suppliers.
3. Key Principles
3.1. Environmental Responsibility
- Priority given to the procurement of energy-efficient IT equipment (Energy Star, TCO certificates, or equivalent) and household appliances (Class A++ and above).
- Support for the circular economy: favoring goods that are repairable, reusable, or recyclable.
- Progressive reduction in the use of single-use plastics and excessive packaging in administrative activities.
3.3. Economic Considerations
- Evaluating procurement efficiency based not only on the purchase price but also on maintenance costs, energy consumption, and disposal.
- Supporting innovative solutions, including developments from the University’s own research and development laboratories.
3.2. Social Responsibility
- Ensuring suppliers comply with principles of decent work and occupational health and safety.
- Promoting the involvement of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from the Zaporizhzhia region in procurement processes.
- Preventing cooperation with counterparties that violate anti-corruption legislation or principles of academic integrity.
4. Implementation in the Procurement Process
4.1. The Authorized Procurement Officer (or Tender Committee, where applicable) shall, where feasible, include environmental characteristics in technical specifications.
4.2. During procurement procedures, the University may apply non-price criteria (environmental, social), with a recommended weighting of no less than 10%, provided this does not conflict with applicable Ukrainian legislation.
4.3. The University encourages suppliers to provide information regarding the environmental impact of their products (see Appendix 1).
5. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) until 2027
- KPI 1. Progressive integration of environmental and social criteria into University procurement procedures in cases where the subject of procurement and legal requirements permit.
- KPI 2. Progressive increase in the share of paper and office supply purchases that meet environmental criteria (recycled content and/or FSC certification or equivalent).
- KPI 3. Progressive reduction in the use of single-use plastic products in University operations, with periodic monitoring of dynamics relative to the baseline.
- KPI 4. Implementation of an internal annual analysis of sustainable procurement practices to identify progress and determine priority areas for improvement.
6. Monitoring and Reporting
6.1. Monitoring of Policy implementation is carried out by the Administrative and Economic Department of the University in cooperation with other structural units involved in procurement processes and the implementation of sustainability principles.
6.2. Information on the implementation of sustainable procurement practices may be reflected in internal or public reporting processes in accordance with established procedures and management decisions.
Appendix №1
Supplier Sustainability Self-Declaration Form (Recommended)
This questionnaire is proposed by the University for suppliers to assess their impact on the environment and society.
- Does your company have an active environmental policy or ISO 14001 certification? (Yes/No)
- Do you use packaging for product delivery that consists of 50% or more recycled materials? (Yes/No)
- Does the offered product comply with international energy-saving standards? (Please specify class or certificate)
- Does your company guarantee compliance with employees’ rights and safe working conditions in accordance with legislation? (Yes/No)
- Do you take measures to optimize delivery routes to reduce CO2 emissions? (Yes/No)
