Sustainable Procurement
A Powerful Tool to Meet Market Expectations
In a world where ecological and social responsibility is increasingly shaping market expectations, sustainable procurement has become a critical success factor for modern organizations. This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the principles, challenges, and strategic importance of integrating sustainability into procurement processes. Participants will learn why purchasing decisions can no longer be based solely on price and quality, and how environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria must be embedded across entire supply chains.
Through practical examples, structured methods, and applicable tools, this training demonstrates how sustainability can be systematically anchored within procurement activities. Participants will explore how to overcome internal organizational barriers, build resilient and responsible supply chains, and create measurable added value for their organization—regardless of industry or company size.
Upon completing this training, participants will be able to:
- Understand the fundamental principles, concepts, and objectives of sustainable procurement.
- Integrate environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria into procurement processes.
- Establish and manage sustainable supplier management systems, including selection, evaluation, and continuous improvement.
- Monitor sustainability performance across the procurement function and supply chain.
- Identify and resolve trade-offs between sustainable and cost-effective procurement decisions.
- Apply ISO 20400 methodologies to strategic and operational procurement activities.
- Implement due diligence practices across complex supply chains to mitigate risks and improve transparency.
This training is designed for:
- Managers and professionals responsible for procurement.
- Purchasing and sourcing specialists.
- Product and service developers involved in defining specifications.
- Supply chain, risk management, compliance, and quality professionals.
- Environmental, ESG, and sustainability officers.
- Anyone involved in building or supervising procurement processes.
Main content:
- Basics and objectives of the sustainable procurement:
Definitions, challenges, concepts, frameworks, requirements, dimensions of sustainability and targets - Key topics for sustainable procurement:
Due Diligence in the supply chain, circular economy, climate protection and disclosure obligations - Strategic and operational implementation of sustainable procurement:
ISO 20400: Status quo analysis, development of a strategy, integration in processes and systems,
training and communication, monitoring and review - Supplier development:
Empowerment, immediate actions, sanctions and remedial actions
The topics covered in the training are:
- Introduction
- Relevance of the Sustainable Development Goals (SGS)
- Principles and goals of sustainable procurement
- Procurement in complex value chains
- Management Approaches and Mind Change
- Key environmental, social and governance challenges
- Strategic Objectives
- Framework conditions and requirements
- The drivers of sustainable procurement
- Customer requirements
- Key legal requirements
- Normative standards (e.g. ILO core labour standards)
- Voluntary initiatives
- Key topics of sustainable procurement
- Due diligence obligations in the supply chain
- Circular Economy
- Climate protection
- Disclosure Requirements and Transparency
- Implementation of sustainable procurement in accordance with ISO 20400
- Status Quo Analysis
- Development of a strategy for sustainable procurement
- Integrating sustainability into the procurement process
- Training and communication
- Monitoring and Review
- Practical implementation examples (use cases)
- Supplier Development
- Remedies
- Sanction mechanisms
- Supplier Qualification
- Roles and responsibilities
- Tasks of central divisions
- Tasks of central divisions
Sustainable procurement is rapidly becoming an essential pillar of corporate sustainability strategies, enabling organizations to meet growing regulatory requirements, customer expectations, and societal demands. This course provides an in-depth understanding of how sustainability can be implemented as a core element of procurement, helping companies reduce environmental impacts, improve working conditions, and strengthen governance practices across all tiers of their value chains.
Participants will examine the fundamental goals, concepts, and challenges inherent in sustainable procurement. From the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to due diligence obligations in the supply chain, the course highlights the key drivers that are reshaping global procurement functions. You will gain a clear understanding of frameworks, standards, and legal requirements, including ISO 20400, ILO core labour standards, and current transparency and reporting obligations.
A major focus of the training is the practical integration of sustainability criteria into operational procurement processes. You will learn how to conduct a status quo analysis, develop a procurement sustainability strategy, and anchor sustainability criteria in supplier selection, evaluation, and management. Supported by best practices and real-world use cases, the course equips you with actionable tools to manage risks, improve supplier performance, and strengthen resilience in complex global supply networks.
The course also places strong emphasis on supplier development as a strategic component of sustainable procurement. Participants will explore methods for supplier empowerment, monitoring, communication, and collaboration, as well as the design of corrective actions, remedies, and sanction mechanisms. Additionally, you will learn how internal functions—such as quality, compliance, risk management, and sustainability—must collaborate to ensure effective and consistent implementation.
By the end of the training, participants will be prepared to translate sustainability principles into concrete procurement actions that generate long-term economic, environmental, and social value. You will be equipped not only to meet stakeholder expectations but to proactively shape your organization’s procurement strategy in a rapidly evolving global landscape.
- Gain a comprehensive understanding of sustainability requirements in procurement.
- Learn how to develop and implement a sustainability-focused procurement strategy.
- Understand key frameworks, standards, and legal obligations for sustainable procurement.
- Acquire the skills to build sustainable supplier management processes.
- Improve risk management and the resilience of global supply chains.
- Enhance your organization’s compliance, reputation, and competitiveness.
- Learn how sustainable procurement drives cost efficiency and operational optimization.
- Benefit from practical use cases and methods applicable to any industry.
This is a standalone training module and includes:
- Instructor-led sessions
- Interactive case studies / practical examples
- Group discussions
- Knowledge checks
Instructor-led training sessions are conducted in a virtual classroom. This means the course is Live Online. Participants will learn through online teaching. Lectures, case studies, group exercises, discussions, problem solving, examples with explanation, assignments and/or quizzes happen in the virtual classroom training. Participants need to connect to the class from any internet accessible location. Each module is delivered live using webinar technology, creating a virtual classroom learning environment. Live sessions provide you with direct access to the trainer so you can ask questions, understand complex concepts and share ideas with peers. Webcam and microphone are REQUIRED to interact with the instructor and/or other participants.
The course content and structure are designed by the domain experts from TÜV SÜD. With immense experience and knowledge in the relevant standards, our team of product specialists and technical experts at TÜV SÜD, developed the course content based on current business landscape and market requirements.
By performing exercises and group discussions, attendees will develop a hands-on understanding that will facilitate the understanding and the implementation of knowledge and concepts.
Participants will receive a Certificate of Attendance from TÜV SÜD Academy upon completion of the training.
Learners must obtain a copy of the ISO 20400 standard to be referenced during the course. The standard may be purchased through the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) (www.ansi.org) and/or American Society for Quality (ASQ) (www.asq.org).