Z766-95 (R2006)

1. Scope Environmentally Responsible Procurement (ERP) is a process whereby an organization adjusts its purchasing behaviour to favour products, services and activities that minimize adverse impacts on the environment.* An ERP can improve an organization's image or reputation with customers, shareholders, nongovernmental organizations and other stakeholders. An organization gains competitive advantage by achieving a position of leadership in the environmental area through ERP and/or the provision of environmentally responsible products or services. *Although this is a purchasing process, we recognize that the best alternative is a fundamental concept of reduction. Note: In the instance that this Information Product refers to environmentally responsible evaluation, it is inferred that service and activity considerations are also considered. 1.1 ERP is driven by a variety of forces including (a) ethical environmental responsibility; (b) government regulation; (c) community and interest groups; (d) customer and consumer preferences; (e) stakeholder and investor pressure; (f) professional standards; (g) employee concerns; and (h) industry guiding principles and codes of practice. 1.2 These forces are persuasive, but they may be countered by several considerations including (a) cost; (b) competing priorities; (c) lack of education and awareness; (d) inaccurate perceptions; and (e) absence of/or incomplete data. Global experience in business, industry and government indicates that most ERp programs pass through five developmental steps, as depicted in Figure 2.