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Key actions to develop a sustainable procurement policy

Phase	Key actions
Gain internal support	Get executive-level support to gain a strong mandate for action. Identify supporters across the organisation to help develop and publicise the policy. Develop a network of key people who will implement the policy e.g., purchasing officers, warehouse staff, and administrative staff.
Analyse purchasing practices	Analyse how the organisation currently purchases products and identify opportunities to incorporate sustainability principles into those processes.
Determine priority products or materials	Determine which products are to be targeted first and set priorities. Keep it simple to start with. Set targets for improving the sustainability of your procurement and have them endorsed by senior management. Work towards getting 'runs on the board' first before expanding the policy to cover other products.
Build organisational capacity	Involve internal stakeholders at all stages of development and implementation of the policy. Identify and modify operational procedures to support the policy and ensure written guidance is available for staff. Equip staff with the required skills to implement the policy, for example, raising awareness of sustainability issues for key personnel.
Publicise the initiative	Publicise the policy to the community; to suppliers; and internally within your organisation. Consider using newsletters, staff notices, the Intranet or Internet to get key information across to stakeholders
Work with suppliers	Publicise the policy among suppliers, and any new requirements that it may entail. Run workshops for suppliers, if necessary. Provide feedback and advice to suppliers as the policy becomes operational Form partnerships with suppliers, where appropriate, to stimulate product innovation and improve supplier response to the policy.
Feedback and review	Seek feedback on the policy both internally and externally. Develop a system to monitor and track the impact of the policy on procurement behaviour, e.g. collect data on the changes in the quantities of sustainable products being purchased. Review the policy after 12 months to evaluate its effectiveness.