Social criteria for government procurement

The application of human rights and of four fundamental standards originated from the International Labour Organisation (ILO), such as protection against child labour and discrimination. These are the social criteria that, on 9 October, the Dutch government agreed to apply as part of its sustainable procurement policy.

Also, additional ILO standards and the Fair Trade standard (such as reasonable working hours, safety in the workplace and minimum wages) will be applied to a limited number of products. The exact products are not yet known, but will include all products for which a supply chain initiative exists, such as Max Havelaar.

The government will ask suppliers to endorse the standards and to apply them in the international production chain wherever possible. The main objective is clear and transparent supply chain management, which is in line with the recommendations by the Social and Economic Council (Sociaal Economische Raad, SER) regarding international corporate social responsibility.

Complaints regarding a supplier’s failure to comply with the standards can be submitted to the department ordering the product/service.

Sustainable procurement 

The social criteria are supplementary to the environmental criteria set earlier this year. The national government is aiming for 100% sustainable purchasing by 1 January 2010. The government will commission research and request advice regarding the additional administrative costs associated with applying the social and environmental criteria.

 

Source:

www.vrom.nl – Dutch Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment