The Observatoire des Achats Responsables (OBSAR) guide on sustainable procurement has undergone a revision to ensure that a greater number of practical experiences and best practice examples are included. The guide, which is relevant to both public and private purchasers, looks at procurement as a means to bolster employment for vulnerable persons.

The authors sees sustainable procurement as a means to create jobs, and argue that given Europe’s current unemployment levels it is necessary to fully embrace the possibilities presented by better procurement. The guide consists of five parts: definition and primary actors, jurisprudential and legal developments for public procurement, obstacles to overcome, positive developments, and taking a valuation approach.

A number of partners were involved in the development of the guide, including l’Avise, la Fédération des entreprises d’insertion and Alliance Villes Emploi. The French organisation OBSAR aims to facilitate exchange of best practices, and bring together stakeholders to successfully engage in sustainable procurement.

For more information, visit socialement-responsable.org [in French].