Listed below are some general environmental and sustainability requirements that can be used in most procurements. If you are unsure whether a requirement is suitable or you want tips on other environmental and sustainability requirements, the National Agency for Public Procurement offers a criteria service. You can also contact the University's environmental and sustainability strategist.
General environmental and sustainability requirements that can be stipulated in most procurements – products
The supplier shall conduct systematic environmental management work
The supplier shall have an environmental management system drawn up in accordance with ISO 14001 or equivalent in the form of its own well-documented environmental management system which, as a minimum, comprises the following points:
- Environmental policy
- Overall environmental objectives
- Procedure for reporting environmental impact
- Environmental requirements for the supplier's subcontractors
On request, the supplier shall prove this by providing the purchaser/collaboration partner with a copy of a certificate or equivalent in the form of its own well-documented environmental management system.
Environmental legislation and CE marking
The supplier is obliged to ensure compliance with relevant environmental legislation, that products tendered and delivered are legally produced, and that relevant producer responsibility is fulfilled, for example in accordance with the Ordinance on Producers' Responsibility for Packaging (2018:1462). Products that are subject to the rules for CE marking, the EC Machinery Directive and the EU Ecodesign Directive shall fulfil the applicable requirements at any given time. Furthermore, the product shall be adapted for the Swedish electrical grid. The necessary certificates or other required documentation shall be presented at the request of the purchaser/collaboration partner.
Product reuse
The supplier shall dispose of the product at the end of its life and the product shall be capable of being dismantled and recycled (material and energy recovery) to at least XX% of the total weight of the product. The supplier shall certify that the product is disposed of and recyclable in this way. A certificate confirming that the above requirements are met shall be attached to the tender.
Packaging
Products and other items from the supplier shall be delivered with minimal packaging. The packaging shall be made of recyclable materials that can be sorted at source. Packaging shall not contain endocrine disruptors or PBT/vPvB according to the criteria in the Swedish Chemicals Agency's list of phase-out substances, or PVC (chlorinated plastic). If the packaging contains wood or cardboard/corrugated board, it shall be unbleached and meet the criteria and principles for labelling according to the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), Pan European Forest Certification (PEFC) or equivalent. A certificate confirming that the above requirements are met shall be available from the supplier.
User training
In connection with installation, qualified personnel from the supplier shall carry out a training programme at the purchaser's premises with at least XX future users of the product, or for one/two/three days. The training shall provide all necessary information to be able to use and maintain the product in a safe manner.
Warranty
The supplier guarantees that the ordered products fulfil all requirements set out in this framework agreement and will be free from deficiencies in design, materials and manufacture (defects) during the warranty period. The warranty commitment includes all costs, such as costs for spare parts, labour, travel, subsistence allowance, and transport. The warranty period begins on the day after acceptance of the delivery inspection, function check and installation. The product shall have a warranty period of one (1) year. If the product comes with a longer warranty period, that period shall apply. During the warranty period, the supplier shall respond to reported defects and report to the purchaser's premises within XX (XX) working days to initiate corrective actions.
Service agreement
After the end of the warranty period, it shall be possible for the purchaser and supplier to enter into a service agreement for the product received. The supplier shall include in their tender X proposals for service agreements at different service levels. The service agreement shall be tailored to the product in question and allow the product to be maintained in an efficient way to maximise its service life. The supplier shall provide a warranty of at least xx (x) years to ensure that the products continue to comply with the specifications of the contract, at no extra cost. The warranty shall apply from the date that the product is delivered to the procuring organisation. The warranty shall primarily cover repairs. Where this is not possible, the warranty shall cover replacement and include a service agreement with the possibility of on-site pick-up and return. The warranty shall apply provided that the product in question is used for its intended purpose under normal wear and tear conditions.
Spare parts
Spare parts for the tendered product shall be available for the expected service life of the product (which is expected to be at least xx (xx) years after delivery of the product). Spare parts shall be available either through the supplier or through a service provider.
Hazardous substances
Throughout the duration of the agreement, the supplier shall comply with Umeå University's restriction list for hazardous chemical substances. The restriction list is a compilation of environmental and health properties of hazardous substances that make their use dangerous and therefore unsuitable. Substances with the properties on the list should therefore not be included in products, goods or services purchased by Umeå University, other than in exceptional cases when it is not possible to replace them. If new substance properties are added to the restriction list during the agreement period, the purchaser/collaboration partner shall inform the supplier of these. In turn, the supplier shall disclose whether any of these substances are present in the products, goods or services covered by the framework agreement. The restriction list is based on Sweden's environmental quality objective of "A Non-Toxic Environment" and the EU REACH chemicals regulation.
Allergenic substances
In the article specification, the tenderer shall report any presence of latex and other allergenic substances in the tendered products. A certificate confirming that the above requirements are met shall be attached to the tender.
Noise
The sound levels of the equipment shall not exceed the limit values specified in Swedish Work Environment Authority provisions AFS 2005:16 in all status states, or the supplier shall bear the cost of the required noise reduction measures. Alternatively, the sound levels of the equipment should not exceed 55 dB (equivalent A-weighted sound pressure level, group III in Table 5 in the Appendix of AFS 2005:16).
Energy saving/standby mode
An electrical product shall have a standby function. The supplier shall also provide instructions that include setting the product's energy and resource consumption parameters in order to optimise use. The supplier shall certify that such instructions are provided. A certificate confirming that the above requirements are met shall be attached to the tender.
Energy class
As a minimum, the product shall be of energy efficiency class A/B/C in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2017/1369 of 4 July 2017 setting a framework for energy labelling and repealing Directive 2010/30/EU with regard to energy labelling requirements for certain products. The energy label of the tendered product shall be certified.
Food products
Where possible, the supplier shall deliver products that are organic and socially sustainable. A certificate/certification/labelling from a third party confirming that the above requirements are met shall be attached to the tender.
Code of conduct/social conditions
The supplier shall respect fundamental social requirements in its operations. The supplier shall endeavour and take responsibility for ensuring that the products and services delivered to the purchaser are produced under conditions that are compatible with:
- The UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
- The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Article 32,
- The ILO's ten core conventions on forced labour, child labour, discrimination, occupational health and safety, freedom of association and the right to organise (Nos. 29, 87, 98, 100, 105, 111, 138, 155, 182 and 187),
- The labour legislation in force in the country where the work is carried out, including provisions on wages, working hours, leave of absence, and health and safety,
- The environmental protection legislation in force in the country where the work is carried out,
- The UN Convention against Corruption, and
- The OECD Special Guidelines to Prevent Trade in Illegal Mining Activities, including metals illegally extracted in the manufacture of modern electronics.
In cases where international regulations provide stronger protection for the individual than national legislation, the supplier shall take reasonable measures to endeavour to ensure compliance with the international regulations.
Labour law conditions
The supplier is considered to meet the labour law conditions if it applies conditions comparable to those applied in a central collective agreement throughout Sweden to equivalent workers in the relevant industry or equivalent. When the work is not performed in accordance with Swedish labour law, the supplier shall meet labour law conditions that are in line with the ILO's core conventions.
General environmental and sustainability requirements that can be stipulated in most procurements – services
The supplier shall conduct systematic environmental management work
The tenderer shall have an environmental management system that covers the organisation submitting a tender for the service. As a minimum, this includes the following:
- An implemented environmental policy that is adopted by the management
- Environmental objectives and action plans, as well as procedures for continuously reducing environmental impact
- Procedures for ensuring compliance with relevant laws and requirements
- Procedures for follow-up and continual improvements
Code of conduct/social conditions
The supplier shall respect fundamental social requirements in its operations. The supplier shall endeavour and take responsibility for ensuring that the products and services delivered to the purchaser are produced under conditions that are compatible with:
- The UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
- The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Article 32,
- The ILO's ten core conventions on forced labour, child labour, discrimination, occupational health and safety, freedom of association and the right to organise (Nos. 29, 87, 98, 100, 105, 111, 138, 155, 182 and 187),
- The labour legislation in force in the country where the work is carried out, including provisions on wages, working hours, leave of absence, and health and safety,
- The environmental protection legislation in force in the country where the work is carried out,
- The UN Convention against Corruption, and
- The OECD Special Guidelines to Prevent Trade in Illegal Mining Activities, including metals illegally extracted in the manufacture of modern electronics.
In cases where international regulations provide stronger protection for the individual than national legislation, the supplier shall take reasonable measures to endeavour to ensure compliance with the international regulations.
Labour law conditions
The supplier is considered to meet the labour law conditions if it applies conditions comparable to those applied in a central collective agreement throughout Sweden to equivalent workers in the relevant industry or equivalent. When the work is not performed in accordance with Swedish labour law, the supplier shall meet labour law conditions that are in line with the ILO's core conventions.
Travel by the supplier
Consultants travelling to the purchaser shall preferably travel by train. If this is not possible, the consultant shall travel by the most eco-friendly alternative. Proof in the form of copies of tickets or travel invoices shall be available at the supplier.
General environmental and sustainability requirements for vehicles and transport services
Vehicles and transport services
Vehicles shall be approved for electric, plug-in hybrid, hydrogen or bio-based fuel or vehicle gas.
Reporting of transport services
Each year, the supplier shall report the total net carbon dioxide emissions caused by the service in question. The following shall be reported:
- Number of passenger kilometres per fuel type or quantity of fuel type purchased
- Carbon dioxide equivalents in total and per route travelled or fuel type according to the WTW methodology specified on the Miljöfordon website.