Responsible Procurement
Our efforts against modern slavery in the supply chain
At USW, we believe in driving positive change, not just within our campus but also within our local communities and beyond. As part of our commitment to ethical practices and social responsibility, we are taking action to combat modern slavery and human trafficking in all its forms across our organisation’s supply chain. As a part of this commitment, USW publish a Modern Slavery Statement annually, in line with the Modern Slavery Act.
You can download a copy of USW’s latest Modern Slavery Statement here.
We fully recognise that transparency is essential in addressing this complex issue. That’s why we are committed to instilling a culture of openness and accountability throughout our procurement processes. We are committed to working closely with our suppliers and colleagues to ensure transparency and traceability in our supply chain. To support this commitment, all suppliers are given the opportunity to tell us about their business via our NetPositives portal and are asked specific questions in relation to Modern Slavery to enable transparency and reporting.
Education is key to driving meaningful change and we are committed to raising awareness and supporting our suppliers to take action. We have developed guidance on Modern Slavery and to support suppliers in developing their own Modern Slavery Statement.
Our commitment to combatting modern slavery is an ongoing journey, and we recognise that there is always more to be done. We remain committed to continuous improvement, regularly reviewing and refining our policies and practices to ensure that we are making a difference in the fight against modern slavery in all its forms.
Our anti bribery commitment
At USW, we hold ourselves to the highest standards of integrity and ethical conduct. We recognise the importance of maintaining trust, transparency, and accountability in all aspects of our operations. As such, we are committed to combating bribery and corruption in all its forms.
We maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards bribery and corruption. We strictly prohibit the offering, solicitation, or acceptance of bribes in any form, whether monetary or non-monetary. This policy applies to all interactions and transactions, both within USW and externally with partners and suppliers.
We are committed to upholding the highest standards of ethical conduct and compliance with relevant anti-bribery laws and regulations. USW have implemented comprehensive policies, procedures and controls to prevent, detect and respond to instances of bribery and corruption. We provide regular training and awareness to educate about the risks and consequences of bribery and to empower our staff to make ethical decisions.
As part of our commitment to anti-bribery, if there are concerns about any forms of malpractice in this area, USW have created a Whistleblowing Policy and Procedure which details the process to follow and provides protection and support to Whistleblowers who disclose information which they reasonably believe is true and is made in the public interest.
Our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion
At USW, our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion has been embedded into how we operate as a University. As part of USW’s broader Strategic Equality Plan, the Procurement team is committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable procurement process that reflects and celebrates the diverse communities.
Our Procurement Team operates in alignment with the USW Strategic Equality Plan, which outlines our commitment to promoting equality, celebrating diversity, and fostering an inclusive culture. As a vital component of this plan, the USW Procurement Team are committed to the role that we plan in advancing EDI principles through our procurement practices and supplier relationships.
Our commitment to carbon reduction
At USW, we recognise the urgent need to address climate change and reduce our carbon footprint. As part of USW’s comprehensive carbon strategy, the Procurement team is committed to taking proactive measures to reduce emissions in our supply chain. By prioritising sustainability and environmental responsibility in our procurement practices, we are committed to driving positive change and contributing to a more sustainable future.
Scope 2 and 3 emissions occur as a result of activities outside of USW’s direct control, including those associated with the production and transportation of goods and services procured by the University. While these emissions can be challenging to measure and manage, they represent a significant portion of our overall carbon footprint and present a critical opportunity for emission reduction.
The USW Procurement Team fully recognise the pivotal role that procurement plays in achieving our carbon reduction goals. Our Procurement Team is therefore committed to integrating sustainability considerations into every stage of the procurement lifecycle, from supplier selection, contract management, product delivery and disposal. By prioritising environmentally responsible suppliers and sustainable products, we aim to minimise the carbon impact of our procurement activities and contribute to overall emission reduction efforts.
How can Suppliers Support?
We recognise that we cannot achieve our sustainability goals alone, and to do so we require collaboration and partnership with our suppliers. Here are some ways that our suppliers can support our efforts to achieve Net Zero:
- Carbon Reduction Plan – Organisations can develop a carbon reduction plan for your organisation. Here you can find a guidance for developing a carbon reduction plan when supplying the HE Sector
- Environmental Responsibility – Suppliers can prioritise sustainability and environmental responsibility in their operations, including reducing energy consumption, minimising waste and implementing eco-friendly practices.
- Product Innovation – Suppliers are encouraged to develop and offer sustainable products and solutions that contribute to reducing carbon emissions throughout the product lifecycle.
- Collaboration and Engagement – Suppliers are encouraged to engage with USW in a meaningful dialogue to collaborate to identify opportunities for emission reduction and to explore innovative solutions to sustainability challenges.
- Transparency and Reporting – Suppliers are encouraged to provide transparency and accurate reporting on the environmental impact of their products and services, including carbon emissions data to enable informed decision making and performance monitoring. All suppliers are given the opportunity to tell us about their business via our NetPositive portal and are asked specific questions in relation to Carbon Reduction and NetZero to enable transparency and reporting
Our commitment to Social Value
At USW, we believe that Procurement has the power to drive positive social change and create lasting value for our community and future generations. Our Procurement Team is therefore committed to promoting social value and advancing the principles of the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act. Through our Procurement processes, we aim to make a meaningful impact on the Welsh communities and contribute to ensuring a positive and sustainable future for all.
The Wellbeing of Future Generations act is a landmark legislation in Wales which encourages us to consider the long-term impact of our decisions on the wellbeing of current and future generations. As a Procurement team, we fully embrace the principles of the Act and are committed to integrating them into our procurement practices.
As part of our commitment to social value, and in alignment with the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act, the USW Procurement Team has developed and implemented a Social Value Matrix that is included in relevant tenders to evaluate and measure the social impact of procurement projects.
The matrix encompasses a range of social value indications in line with the 7 themes of the Wellbeing of Future Generations Act and include measures to demonstrate a suppliers commitment to community engagement, job creation, skills development, environmental sustainability and social inclusion.
This matrix enables our Suppliers to contribute to our social value gaols and encourages them to set targets for social value delivery which can then be monitored and reported against throughout the contract lifecycle.
Our supplier standards
At USW, we are committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity, sustainability and ethical conduct in all aspects of our operations, including Procurement.
As part of our commitment to responsible sourcing and sustainable development, we have developed a Supplier Code of Conduct that aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), ETI base code and ILO Conventions. This Supplier Code of Conduct aims to provide a clear set of standards for our suppliers and promote shared values of integrity, respect, and sustainability.
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals provide a blueprint for a more sustainable and equitable worlds, addressing global challenges such as poverty, inequality, climate change and environmental degradation. At USW, we recognise the importance of aligning our procurement practices to SDGs to contribute to the achievement of these ambitious goals.
Our Supplier Code of Conduct reflects our commitment to the principles and values embodied in the SDGs. It sets out clear expectations for suppliers in areas such as:
- Social
- Working Environment and Terms
- Ethical Compliance and Economic Development
- Environmental
All Suppliers working with the University of South Wales are required to sign up to our Supplier Code of Conduct as a condition of doing business with us. By signing the code, suppliers commit to upholding its principles and complying with its requirements in all of their interactions with USW.
At USW, we believe that responsible procurement is essential for achieving our sustainability goals and creating positive social and environmental impact. Through our Supplier Code of Conduct, we seek to promote ethical business practices, foster sustainable supply chains and contribute to the advancement of SDGs. Together, with our suppliers, we can drive positive change, enhance transparency and create lasting value.
Our commitment to Wales and Small Businesses
At USW, we recognise the important role that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play in driving economic growth, fostering innovation, and creating jobs within our local community. As part of our commitment to responsible procurement and sustainable development, the USW Procurement Team is committed to supporting SMEs and nurturing our local supply chain - We strive to maximise opportunities for SME participation.
We understand that SMEs are the backbone of our economy and comprise of a significant proportion of businesses in our community. They bring diversity, agility and creativity to the marketplace, driving innovation and competition. By supporting SMEs, we not only stimulate economic growth but also create a more resilient and inclusive environment that benefits all stakeholders.
At USW, we are committed to creating a level playing field for SMEs and maximising their participation in our procurement processes. Our Procurement Team have recently delivered a Tender Writing Support session for local SMEs and we have a number of guidelines available to support SMEs to deliver some of the key initiatives such as Modern Slavery and Carbon Reduction Plans. Our goal is to empower SMEs to navigate the procurement opportunities with us effectively and to be able to compete on a level playing field with larger suppliers.
As a Procurement Team, we are proud to report that 68% of USW Procurement Spend in our last financial year was directed towards SMEs, with 44% being spent with Welsh Suppliers. This significant investment demonstrates our commitment to supporting SMEs and maximising their participation in our supply chain. We are committed to continuing to explore opportunities to work with SMEs.
Engaging and Developing our Suppliers
As a part of our commitment to responsible procurement, the USW Procurement team utilise NETPositive, a supplier engagement platform, to empower our suppliers to share their progress on key sustainability metrics. This approach aims to encourage transparency, accountability and continuous improvement throughout our supply chain.
Through NETPositive, suppliers have the opportunity to report and develop action plans around key sustainability metrics such as Modern Slavery, Carbon and other social responsibility initiatives, this allows USW to gain visibility into our Suppliers sustainability performance and to track progress over time.