University College Cork - National University of Ireland, Cork
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement

Procurement across major commodity categories in UCC (as with all Irish HEIs) is governed by the national Office of Government Procurement. This office issued guidelines for public procurement in 2017, which include environmental and social considerations - https://ogp.gov.ie/public-procurement-guidelines-for-goods-and-services/ Under Environmental considerations the priority areas are: construction; energy; transport; food and catering services; cleaning products and services; paper; clothing and textiles; information and communications technology. Core and comprehensive criteria are identified for use throughout the procurement process. The provisions within these guidelines cover: - technical specifications can be formulated with reference to production processes, e.g. organic agriculture or chlorine-free bleaching of paper - award criteria may include social or environmental characteristics of the goods, services or works being purchased, e.g. electricity from renewable sources or fair-traded products - third-party eco-labels can be requested to demonstrate compliance with technical specifications, and in relation to award criteria or contract performance conditions, provided these meet certain standards of openness and transparency - life-cycle costing can be applied to measure and compare costs including environmental externalities such as greenhouse gas emissions. Where a common EU method for LCC has been developed (such as for the procurement of road transport vehicles) this must be used - minimum standards - contracting authorities can refuse to award a contract to the operator submitting the most economically advantageous tender where it does not comply with certain minimum social and environmental obligations set out in Annex X of Directive 2014/14/ EU - abnormally low tenders must be rejected where this is due to breach of certain international social or environmental conventions (e.g. on protection of the ozone layer, persistent organic pollutants and treatment of hazardous chemicals or waste) and suppliers can be excluded for breaches - evidence of the environmental management measures which a supplier will be able to apply in the execution of any contract may be requested at Selection Stage of a competition - contract performance clauses - key performance indicators, incentives, penalties or remedies can be inserted in contracts linked to environmental issues. To do this they must be indicated in the Contract Notice or procurement documents and must be linked to the subject-matter of the contract. The guidelines also advice on encouraging SME participation in public tendering processes.

Energy and Water uses systems are assessed based on the whole cost of ownership i.e. over 15year period so that the most efficient system is procured at the least cost to UCC.

Green Public Procurement Guideline (national state level guidelines for procurement in the public sector) requires that cleaning products and services meet standards of EU REACH Regulation (Article 59 of Regulation (EC) No.1907/2006), and the EC Regulations on Detergents and European Union (Packaging) Regulations, 2007. The core criteria outline the substances considered to be of very high concern and the proposed verification process required to ensure compliance. They further outline the necessary steps that a public body should take to ensure and verify staff training and contract management. https://www.dccae.gov.ie/en-ie/environment/topics/sustainable-development/green-public-procurement/Pages/default.aspx

Green Public Procurement Guideline (national state level guidelines for procurement in the public sector) requires compliance with EU Regulation that equipment should reach Energy Star rating. https://www.dccae.gov.ie/en-ie/environment/topics/sustainable-development/green-public-procurement/Pages/default.aspx

Green Public Procurement Guidelines require compliance with EU GPP criteria for food and catering services focus on the purchase of food from producers, wholesalers and plants, although predominantly through third party distribution companies and out sourced catering service providers. The EU core criteria for both food and catering services recommend the adoption of food partially from organic sources. It also covers food packaging incorporating recycled and renewable materials and bulk portion packaging. Within the catering services area, it covers waste generation and collection and equipment and vehicles used in service delivery. The EU GPP comprehensive criteria set higher targets for organic content and packaging, and also cover integrated production accreditations for multiple food categories and animal welfare standards. In the catering service section, areas including equipment, cleaning products, paper products, staff training and service management are addressed. https://www.dccae.gov.ie/en-ie/environment/topics/sustainable-development/green-public-procurement/Pages/default.aspx

The EU Green Public Procurement criteria for transport cover the purchase or lease/rental of passenger cars, public transport vehicles and services (buses) and waste collection trucks and services. The criteria were last updated in 2012 and incorporate the requirements of the Clean Vehicles Directive (CVD). The core criteria address emissions of CO2, other exhaust gases, particulate matter and noise; use of alternative fuels; eco-driving and disposal of lubricant oils and tyres. The comprehensive criteria set higher levels of ambition regarding these matters and also address vehicle materials; start stop systems; gear shift indicators; tyre pressure monitoring systems; fuel consumption display; air conditioning gases; lubricant oils and the noise and rolling resistance of tyres. https://www.dccae.gov.ie/en-ie/environment/topics/sustainable-development/green-public-procurement/Pages/default.aspx

The EU Green Public Procurement criteria for copying and graphic paper equipment were last updated in 2009. While the EU GPP criteria are confined to copying and graphic paper and of up to 170g/m2, similar requirements can be applied when specifying and procuring other paper products. The core criteria outline the requirements for both recycled and virgin fibre options, and the proposed verification process required to ensure compliance. They further outline the necessary steps that a public body should take to ensure and verify contract management. The comprehensive criteria set out the higher (more detailed) levels that may be applied to individual contracts and requirements. https://www.dccae.gov.ie/en-ie/environment/topics/sustainable-development/green-public-procurement/Pages/default.aspx