EPFL encourages its suppliers to implement a structured social and environmental approach in all the countries in which they operate and to ensure these best practices are implemented along the whole value chain. The School also encourages its suppliers to obtain certifications and labels that confirm their accountability.
EPFL’s Sustainable Procurement Charter (pdf 623 kb) aims to act as a framework for its community and partners.
It reflects the School’s commitment to improving its purchasing practices by describing its own ambitions and what it expects from its suppliers.
EPFL, as a recognized higher-education institution and public entity, has a leading role to play in these sustainability issues.
The goal is to integrate sustainability in all EPFL’s missions and to position the School as a benchmark institution at the worldwide level regarding sustainability.
At the beginning of 2023, EPFL published its first Climate & Sustainability Strategy, initiated through a process that included all the vice-presidencies and many of EPFL’s services and partners. This strategy aims to cut the School’s greenhouse gas emissions by 40% on average by 2030 (from 2006 or 2019, depending on the themes) in a whole range of key domains such as purchases.
To achieve this, EPFL fosters innovative partnerships with suppliers who share the same vision regarding sustainability.
The Procurement Department, in collaboration with EPFL’s Sustainability Unit, is engaging in a systematic reflection that aims to integrate selection criteria related to sustainability when choosing EPFL’s suppliers.
Within calls for tenders (about a hundred every year), EPFL includes – when appropriate – selection criteria related to sustainability. These criteria cover two levels:
- The “company” level: the supplier’s “sustainability” performance. EPFL seeks to assess the supplier’s maturity level regarding sustainability (implemented sustainability strategy, mobility plan, waste management, code of conduct, as well as training, loyalty and vocational integration policies, …)
- The “product / service” level: criterion or criteria specific to the product/service that EPFL wishes to acquire through the call for tenders.
The bidders can therefore be required to provide information about sustainability aspects in their tenders. Any criteria related to sustainability are clearly mentioned in the specifications of the calls for tenders.
Further information on responsible public purchasing: