Responsible Sourcing
JGU is committed to responsible sourcing: buying products and services that are environmentally sustainable, ethically procured and socially conscious. Purchasing decisions and vendor partnerships are assessed for their effects on the environment and on people across the supply chain. The university looks for suppliers that reduce environmental harm, support fair and humane labour practices and advance social equity, as part of its mission to support a healthier planet and a more equitable society.
The policy below governs the sourcing of food, supplies, equipment and services.
Policy on Responsible Sourcing
Policy Details
- Policy Name: Policy on Responsible Sourcing
- Year Reviewed: 2026
1. Purpose and Principles
1.1 This policy ensures that what the university buys is produced and supplied in ways that respect people and the environment.
1.2 It rests on four principles: environmental responsibility, ethical labour and human rights, fairness to local and small suppliers, and transparency.
1.3 It supports SDG Target 12.7 on sustainable procurement and Target 8.7 on forced labour, and informs the university's Scope 3 emissions accounting.
2. Scope and Definitions
2.1 The policy covers procurement by every school, office, hostel, dining facility, event and project of the university.
2.2 Ethical sourcing means sourcing that respects fair wages, safe working conditions, the prohibition of forced and child labour, and human rights across the supply chain.
2.3 Green procurement means choosing goods and services with lower environmental impact over their life cycle, including packaging, energy, water and waste.
3. Policy Statement
3.1 The university applies green procurement to all capital works, goods and services.
3.2 Vendors must comply with the JGU Supplier Code of Conduct.
3.3 Tender and vendor evaluation gives weight to recognised eco-certifications (such as ISO, GreenPro and Fair Trade), to fair wages and to human rights practices.
3.4 Suppliers must not use forced, bonded or child labour, and anti-slavery due diligence clauses are included in contracts.
3.5 Food and catering suppliers must meet the plastic and disposable-item rules of the No Plastic Use Policy and the Policy on Minimisation of Disposable Items.
4. Roles and Responsibilities
4.1 The Procurement Office screens suppliers, applies the evaluation criteria and keeps vendor records.
4.2 The Office of Sustainability sets the environmental criteria, tracks Scope 3 supply-chain emissions and reviews supplier audits.
4.3 Budget holders must follow the policy when raising purchase requests.
4.4 Suppliers must meet the Code of Conduct and cooperate with audits.
5. Procedure
5.1 Requests for proposals state the environmental and ethical criteria.
5.2 Suppliers declare their certifications, labour practices and compliance with the Supplier Code of Conduct.
5.3 Evaluation weights these criteria alongside price and quality.
5.4 Contracts include clauses on environmental performance, plastic-free packaging, anti-slavery due diligence and the right to audit.
5.5 Suppliers are reviewed on performance each year.
6. Supplier Audits and Corrective Action
6.1 The university carries out supplier ESG audits each year.
6.2 Where a supplier falls short, it is given a time-bound corrective plan. Repeated or serious breaches can lead to suspension or termination of the contract.
7. Concerns and Reporting
7.1 Concerns about a supplier's labour or environmental practices can be reported to the Procurement Office or the Office of Sustainability.
7.2 Reports made in good faith are treated confidentially, and no one is penalised for making them.
8. Monitoring and Review
8.1 The Office of Sustainability tracks the supply-chain carbon footprint annually as part of Scope 3 accounting, and reports on supplier audits.
8.2 The policy is reviewed at least once every year and was last reviewed in 2026.
