1. Policy Statement
At Supplies4lyfe, we are committed to promoting sustainability, ethical practices, and responsible sourcing throughout our supply chain. Our Sustainable Procurement Policy ensures that all procurement activities support our values of environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and long-term economic viability.
We believe procurement decisions can make a significant impact on sustainability outcomes and are committed to making responsible choices that benefit our customers, partners, communities, and the planet.
2. Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to:
Integrate environmental, social, and ethical considerations into procurement decisions
Promote responsible supply chain management and sustainable consumption
Reduce negative environmental impact through lifecycle thinking
Encourage suppliers to adopt sustainable and ethical business practices
Ensure compliance with all applicable UK and international laws
3. Scope
This policy applies to:
All goods, services, and materials purchased by Supplies4lyfe
All departments, employees, and contractors involved in procurement
All suppliers, vendors, and subcontractors working with Supplies4lyfe
4. Key Principles
a. Environmental Sustainability
Prioritise products with low environmental impact (e.g. recyclable, biodegradable, energy-efficient)
Reduce waste through bulk purchasing, reusable packaging, and lifecycle assessments
Encourage suppliers to reduce carbon emissions, water usage, and pollution
Comply with relevant UK environmental legislation including the Environment Act 2021
b. Ethical Sourcing
Work only with suppliers who uphold human rights, fair labour conditions, and anti-slavery laws
Comply with the Modern Slavery Act 2015
Avoid suppliers involved in child labour, unsafe working conditions, or unfair wages
c. Local & Social Procurement
Support local and regional UK suppliers wherever possible to reduce transport emissions and support the economy
Encourage the inclusion of small businesses, social enterprises, and minority-owned suppliers
Promote fair trade and community-focused sourcing when appropriate
d. Compliance & Risk Management
Evaluate supplier compliance with environmental and social standards
Conduct risk assessments for high-impact categories and regions
Require documentation and certifications (e.g. ISO 14001, FSC, Fairtrade) where applicable
5. Supplier Expectations
We expect our suppliers and partners to:
Operate ethically, transparently, and in accordance with all applicable laws
Have policies or practices addressing environmental management, human rights, and anti-corruption
Demonstrate continuous improvement in sustainability performance
Cooperate with audits, assessments, and improvement plans as required
6. Procurement Practices
Use sustainability criteria in tendering and supplier evaluation
Consider whole-life cost rather than just purchase price
Minimise the purchase of single-use, non-recyclable, or high-waste products
Review contracts regularly to ensure alignment with sustainability goals
7. Monitoring & Reporting
Supplies4lyfe will track procurement performance against sustainability objectives
Regularly review supplier compliance and environmental/social impact
Publish sustainability performance in relevant internal and external reports
8. Training & Awareness
All procurement staff will be trained in sustainable procurement principles
Employees involved in purchasing decisions will be encouraged to consider sustainability factors
9. Policy Review
This policy will be reviewed annually to reflect new legal requirements, evolving best practices, and company priorities.