5th December 2014
Responsible Sourcing
31st March 2016
Setting a framework for responsible sourcing: BREEAM then, now and in the future
From the 1990’s in response to consumer concern over tropical forest population disturbance and wider deforestation, BREEAM began to encourage stakeholders to proactively mitigate associated risks.
27th April 2016
Time to review Responsible Sourcing
BRE is now starting a consultation process to update the BES 6001 standard. Currently at version 3, BRE is planning to issue a version 3.1 before the end of the year. Existing certificate holders and any other interested parties have been invited to the kick off meeting on 12th May in Central London; anyone else … Continue reading “Time to review Responsible Sourcing”
10th March 2016
Willmott Dixon and Sir Robert McAlpine Case study; Responsible Sourcing
BRE launched the first BES 6001 Framework Standard for Responsible Sourcing (BES 6001) in October 2008 to meet industry and Government demand for a multi-sector and authoritative third party certified responsible sourcing scheme. The standard specifies requirements for organisational management, supply chain management and management of sustainability issues in order to allow an organisation to … Continue reading “Willmott Dixon and Sir Robert McAlpine Case study; Responsible Sourcing”
27th January 2016
Sustainable supply chains: Are you doing enough?
The arrival of the Modern Slavery Act will send ripples throughout the industry, not knowing it is simply not an answer. So how can BRE make a positive change in this space? Organisations with a turnover of more than £36m will have to start making publicly available statements about their approach to identifying and mitigating … Continue reading “Sustainable supply chains: Are you doing enough?”
22nd March 2017
Ethical Labour Sourcing – A big leap for BRE, the industry and society
The Centre for Sustainable Products at BRE has a long tradition with product environmental assessment with products such as Environmental Profiles and the Green Guide to Specification. Over the past few years I have seen this evolve from a very quantitative approach to recognise the broader sustainability issues that touch procurement and supply chain assurance. … Continue reading “Ethical Labour Sourcing – A big leap for BRE, the industry and society”
17th May 2018
Modern Day Slavery: It is people that will rescue people
This article first appeared on the Thompson Reuters Foundation News website. In the past few years in particular we have noticed an awakening in society and industry to the harsh realisation that modern day slavery is real and affects people from all nations and in many businesses and supply chains. It is estimated (see Walk … Continue reading “Modern Day Slavery: It is people that will rescue people”
25th February 2019
How much traceability is enough?
‘Momentum building for cattle traceability’ according to Beef Magazine. The New York Times is asking ‘Will blockchain fix the mineral traceability woes?’ The Aluminium Stewardship Initiative has created a standard with a traceability mechanism to ensure that certified aluminium has been manufactured by certified producers at every stage. Meanwhile BIM Today reports that ‘verification processes … Continue reading “How much traceability is enough?”
7th June 2016
Launching a career with a BRE Trust Studentship
Dr Shamir Ghumra, BRE’s Head of Responsible Sourcing discusses how a PhD studentship from the BRE Trust has helped develop his career.
28th September 2016
Where does your wood come from?
For years now we have asked the question of food as consumer interest in the source of our food as well as a desire to support local farmers and a diversity of regional food has grown. It seems entirely logical that the same should apply to other materials and goods that we consume. In October … Continue reading “Where does your wood come from?”