Thammasat University Notification of Policy on Sustainable Public Procurement of Goods and Services

5. Policy on Sustainable Public Procurement Download

Thammasat University Notification

RE: Policy on Sustainable Public Procurement of Goods and Services

To serve as a guide toward becoming a sustainable University in accordance with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), this policy promotes the adoption of sustainable production and consumption behaviors for products and services. These practices encompass not only environmental considerations but also adherence to ethical sourcing of materials, fair treatment of employees, and positive interactions with customers and the community, ensuring that vendors’ practices are socially responsible and aligned with moral values. Thammasat University hereby implements the following policy on Sustainable Public Procurement of Goods and Services:

1. Definitions

“University” refers to Thammasat University.
“Sustainable product” refers to a product that has less negative environmental impact throughout the steps of raw material sourcing, production, transportation, use, and end-of-life management when compared to other products that serve similar functions.
“Sustainable service” refers to a service that has less negative environmental impact throughout the steps of raw material sourcing, resource and energy utilization during the service, and manages waste produced by the service when compared to other services with similar characteristics.
“Sustainable public procurement” refers to purchasing sustainable products or hiring sustainable services according to the list of products and services that have been certified as environmentally friendly by the Pollution Control Department or products that have received environmental labels.
“Environmental label” refers to a label that indicates sustainability which is given to a product or service that meets the requirements.
“Ethical sourcing” refers to the practice of obtaining goods and materials in a manner that emphasizes responsible and sustainable practices throughout the supply chain. This includes ensuring fair labor practices, such as safe working conditions and fair wages, while also prioritizing environmental responsibility through sustainable resource use and waste reduction. It involves maintaining transparency and traceability in sourcing, supporting local economies, adhering to relevant regulations, and promoting the humane treatment of animals.

2. Features of sustainable products and services include:

(2.1) Using materials with less environmental impact, such as non-toxic materials, renewable materials, recycled materials, and materials that require low energy consumption during sourcing, all sourced through ethical practices that prioritize fair labor and environmental stewardship.
(2.2) Using less material, such as lightweight design, compact size, comprising a small number of material types, or having reinforcement that leads to size reduction.
(2.3) Utilizing optimally efficient production technology, such as efficient use of resources and energy during production, use of clean energy, reduction of waste from the production process, and reduction of production steps.
(2.4) Having optimally efficient transportation and distribution systems, such as reducing excessive packaging, using packaging made of reusable or recyclable materials, employing modes of transportation with low environmental impact, and selecting transport routes that are the most energy-efficient.
(2.5) Reducing the environmental impact during use, such as low energy consumption, low emissions during use, reduction in disposable materials, and minimization of unnecessary parts.
(2.6) Being valuable throughout its lifetime, such as being durable, easy to repair and maintain, upgradeable, and not requiring frequent changes.
(2.7) Having an efficient management system after end-of-life, such as waste collection or disposal after use, having a design that allows the whole product or parts of it to be easily reused or refurbished, or, in cases where disposal is required, harnessing energy from waste and ensuring the waste is safe for landfilling.

3. Qualifications of partner companies, suppliers, or service providers complying with ethical standards include, but are not limited to:

(3.1) Certification by Thai Industrial Standards, ISO 9000 Series (Quality Management), or ISO 14000 Series (Environmental Management).
(3.2) Adherence to a code of ethics and good supervision, demonstrating a commitment to social and environmental responsibility (Corporate Social Responsibility: CSR), or possession of the social responsibility standard ISO 26000.
(3.3) Implementation of effective policies regarding fair labor practices, safety, occupational health, and environmental management.
(3.4) Commitment to sustainable practices, including resource conservation, waste reduction, and the use of renewable energy.
(3.5) Demonstration of support for local economies through local sourcing and community involvement initiatives.
(3.6) Alignment with the University’s values and standards in a code of ethics or conduct, addressing issues such as bribery, corruption, and conflicts of interest.

4. Any procurement by the University must prioritize the purchase of goods and the hiring of services that have environmental labels, such as green label, carbon label, green basket, etc., and that have features of sustainable products and services according to article (2) as the primary consideration; and that have qualifications of partner companies, suppliers or service providers according to article (3). The goods and services shall also meet the sustainable product and service criteria of the Pollution Control Department.

Issued on October 18, 2024

(Professor Supasawad Chardchawarn) Rector of Thammasat University