Breakout Session 4

High risk products, such as IT hardware, are connected with many sustainability challenges throughout the life cycle. Human rights violations are common in factories. Harmful substances are used both in products and their manufacture. However, as a purchaser, you have the power to make a difference. By setting relevant criteria in your procurement, your product choices have a direct effect on how the industry acts.

This session will look at current environmental and social supply chain responsibility challenges and how these can be addressed through sustainable procurement. From conflict minerals to supply chain working conditions, product lifetime and material recovery, how can procurement drive progress towards a more sustainable product life cycle? How do you ask for and verify social responsibility in connection to the products you buy and how do you know what claims to trust?

During this interactive session, IT products will be used as an example of the high risk category and you will follow the life cycle of a notebook. Attendees will gain unique insights into all stages of the product life and supply chain journey, and receive guidance and tools for driving a more circular, responsible approach when purchasing products. You will learn directly from public authorities about their own supply chain responsibility actions and also have the chance to engage with other experts on the topic.