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SUEZ UK Advances Sustainable Procurement Process through full ISO20400 Evaluation

Explore how Action Sustainability supported Suez Recycling and Recovery UK Ltd in reviewing their sustainable procurement practices and identifying areas for improvement by conducting a full ISO20400 evaluation for them.

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The Task

Having undertaken an ISO 20400 evaluation in 2017-2018, SUEZ recycling and recovery UK (SUEZ) were looking to measure their progress in sustainable procurement performance across the business following the implementation of a range of recommendations presented to them.

The team was keen to undergo an in-depth and objective review of their performance in sustainable procurement which would also include wide internal stakeholder involvement and identify realistic actions to drive change forward.

Action Sustainability’s assessment and subsequent report’s findings and recommendations will help SUEZ to embed the commitments from their Sustainability and Sustainable Procurement Policies across the business and strengthen the areas where any gaps have been identified.


The Action

Action Sustainability undertook a desktop review of procurement documents and conducted interviews with relevant staff across various functions and departments within SUEZ. This enabled us to produce a report based on the findings and suggest where and how improvements could be made.

The first phase of the evaluation involved reviewing SUEZ policies, strategies, tender procedures (PQQ & ITT documents) and example tender exercises recently undertaken.

The second part of our process involved a series of 1:1 interviews around sustainability, sustainable procurement and contract management with key people from across the SUEZ business.

The interviews were based on the key elements of the ISO 20400 standard – Fundamentals, Policy & Strategy, Enablers and Process. Through our discussions, we were able to explore how effectively sustainability objectives are deployed through procurement.

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“We are pleased to provide this testimonial for the exceptional service we received from Mel D’silva from Action Sustainability during our recent audit process. From start to finish, the experience was professional, thorough, and highly informative.
The online audit process was well-organized and efficient. Mel’s attention to detail and comprehensive understanding of our operations were evident throughout the process.
The interviews conducted with our cross-functional teams were insightful and well-structured. Mel’s ability to engage with various team members and extract valuable information was impressive. This not only helped in assessing our current practices but also provided us with new perspectives on potential improvements.
The final report we received was detailed and clear, highlighting key findings and providing actionable suggestions for improvement. The follow-up meeting was particularly beneficial, as Mel took the time to explain the outcomes and recommendations in depth, ensuring we fully understood the next steps.
Overall, the service provided by Action Sustainability exceeded our expectations. Their professionalism, expertise, and dedication to helping us improve our processes were truly commendable. We highly recommend their services to any organisation seeking a thorough and insightful audit.”

Robert Baillie Head of Procurement

The Outcome, Benefits and Lessons Learnt

The analysis enabled the procurement team to have increased confidence that ongoing improvements to processes align with ISO 20400.

It also revealed that there are many examples of good practice throughout the SUEZ procurement process which we assessed as being ‘mature.’ The evaluation results also gave SUEZ an action plan together with timescales guidance to help SUEZ reach their sustainability goals.

The recommendations will better align the procurement process, prioritise opportunities and identify risks. This will effect better procurement strategies, and improve supply chain relationships through enhanced supplier performance and contract management.

The ISO 20400 Standard is an ideal platform to use to assess and then improve your procurement, supply chain management and sustainability outcomes.