Supplier selection
The framework had been identified as one of the priorities from a carbon reduction perspective, based on climate and procurement prioritisation across pipeline frameworks.
Specification and tender
The market engagement and use of the Sustainability Test resulted in the following requirements:
Recyclability
This was an unscored question, for information only. This reflected the start of the journey towards enhanced sustainability for this framework, with the clear aim to collaborate with suppliers during contract and supplier management, to encourage and evidence practical improvement.
‘Please advise your plans to increase the recycling capability of your packaging over the course of the framework, supply and share the high level and or specific plans in relation to the tendered items or supply’
Responses from bidders included detail of their corporate environmental plans, such as ISO14001 Environmental Management System, carbon neutral plans, use of packaging databases and recycling in manufacturing process. Some detail was specific to haemodialysis, such as recycled or recyclable materials and plastic and carbon reduction in primary sterile barrier packaging, and reduction in packaging materials.
As a result, this provided some useful evidence to be followed up through supplier management, to determine how suppliers are applying relevant measures in practice, while encouraging continual improvement.
End of life machines.
This scored question was included in Lots 1,2 and 6 (Equipment Only Lots), part of the overall Sustainability weighting of 10%, sought detail regarding measures to support the transition to a circular economy, through management of end-of-life haemodialysis machines.
‘Please outline measures taken within your organisation to continually reduce your environmental impact, contributing to a more sustainable environment, in relation to the end of life of equipment.’
While this may typically include auctioning off secondary equipment, or donating to overseas health systems, responses varied in relevant detail and included:
Responses included a mix of product and high-level policy detail to more detailed circular management, including repair and reuse.
Carbon foot-printing.
This scored question was included in Lots 3, 4 and 5 (Consumable Only Lots), part of the overall Sustainability weighting.
‘This question considers the Carbon impact of tendered products within this Lot.
Please provide your carbon footprint ‘up to manufacture and import’ for tendered Dialysers / Generic Consumables / Needles.
Carbon footprint must be defined in metric tonnes of CO2.
Bidders who are unable to define the carbon footprint of product listed will be scored ‘0’.
The carbon footprint measure should meet the requirements of an internationally recognised standard such as ISO 14067 or BSI PAS 2050, or other equivalent standard and be externally verified to the standard.
Any assumptions made in the calculation of the carbon footprint must be clearly stated.’
This was to be measured in metric tonnes of CO2, based on an internationally recognised standard such as ISO 14067 or equivalent, externally verified, with assumptions made clearly stated.
In practice, responses highlighted organisational carbon reduction plans. This showed that the bidders were making progress in carbon accounting and reduction by reporting organisational Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions and the carbon reduction they are achieving and continue to work towards. This is useful potential information to inform future supplier management and collaboration for successful bidders.
Management, Monitoring and Reporting
Once frameworks are awarded NHSS routinely addresses with each supplier their responses to tenders, compliance with relevant commitments made and opportunities for improvement, through supplier relationship and contract management.
This recognises that suppliers may be developing their approach to sustainability, with encouragement from the contracting authority. This may include the ability to quantify relevant CO2 emissions. For example, quantifying carbon reduction impacts from improvements in manufacturing, packaging or logistics.
Responses to this framework will, as a result, inform that management. This aims to enable continual improvement in tangible outcomes, in collaboration with suppliers who have stated support for enhanced sustainability.
