» Resources » ISO 20400 2017-2021 Progress Report Company News ISO 20400 2017-2021 Progress Report Foreword by Shaun McCarthy OBE In December 2016 the committee developing the ISO 20400 standard finally finished four years of painstaking work to develop a robust standard for sustainable procurement. The standard was published in April 2017 with various events around the world to celebrate the launch. I led the UK delegation of the committee and have since sponsored and hosted a free global knowledge sharing platform www.iso20400.org. The international steering committee behind this platform commissioned this report to gain some insight into how the standard has been used and what lessons we may learn from the experience. My thanks go to Ross Primmer for his diligent research and to the many people who supported him by taking part in interviews. So, what have we learned? The first important lesson is the standard works as a practical framework to deliver sustainable procurement regardless of country, culture, sector, or business size. This is a great compliment to those people who worked for many hours over a four-year period to reach international consensus about what works and what does not. ISO 20400 is a guidance standard that cannot be certified, many users find this approach refreshing, others would like to see a certificate on the wall. This debate will doubtless continue as the standard reaches its five-year review. The emphasis on sustainability around the world has amplified many times since the standard was published and the realisation that most things, that most organisations deliver are done through supply chains is becoming more and more apparent. This report also concludes that more must be done to inform, educate and inspire people to understand how they manage their supply chains in a different way. We all have a responsibility to do this. Big purchasers need to lead the way and those providing education, training and professional qualifications need to help people to understand that the proven methodology recommended by this standard can make a difference to the world we live in. You can view the ISO20400 2017-2021 Progress Report in full here. Ross Primmer Consultant Jan 5, 2022 Share: Related Articles April 2025 Blog Getting Started with Social Value: What It Is and Why It Matters Sam Walker April 2025 Blog Getting Started with Social Value: What It Is and Why It Matters In recent years, Social Value has emerged as a significant element within the framework of sustainable development, particularly in the context of public procurement. But whilst some organisations may be confident in their understanding and delivery of Social Value, many organisations – in particular SMEs – are being introduced to the concept for the first […] Keagan Allin April 2025 Modern Slavery & Human Rights The EU’s Omnibus Package: What’s Changing in CSRD and CSDDD Action Sustainability Staff April 2025 Modern Slavery & Human Rights The EU’s Omnibus Package: What’s Changing in CSRD and CSDDD In 2021 and 2022, the European Union introduced two groundbreaking sustainability laws: the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) and the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). Now, more than three years later and with implementation just around the corner, the European Commission has put forward an ‘Omnibus Simplification Package’. This new proposal aims to ease […] Keagan Allin March 2025 COâ‚‚ Performance Ladder Comparing the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) with the CO2 Performance Ladder Action Sustainability Staff March 2025 COâ‚‚ Performance Ladder Comparing the Science-Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) with the CO2 Performance Ladder The Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and the CO2 Performance Ladder (the Ladder) are two powerful tools for organisations aiming to address climate change and reduce carbon emissions. While both share common goals, they differ in approach, scope, and application. This article provides a comprehensive comparison to help organisations understand their similarities, differences, and potential complementarities. […] Keagan Allin