Blog Posts

Procurex Scotland 2018

24/9/2018

Date for your diary: 23rd October 2018, SEC, Glasgow
Procurex Scotland 2018, supported by Scottish Government and the Centres of Expertise and other leading procurement organisations, will provide a range of interactive event features designed around the Scottish Government Procurement Workplan 2017/2021, including:

Buyer and Supplier Skills Development zones
Scottish Governmnet 14th National Procurement Conference
Procurement Excellence Live Stage
Product Showcase Exhibition
Scottish Government Procurement Pavilion
Procurement People of Tomorrow
Scottish Governemnt eCommerce Zone
Market Engagement Hub

For more information and to book tickets now see www.procurexlive.co.uk

Innovation prize for new plastics economy

18/9/2018

https://vimeo.com/simontibbs/newplasticseconomy … $2,000,000 innovation prize available for finding ways to package products without generating plastic waste and how to make all plastics recyclable. Here's hoping!

Exploring the issues between Procurement & Self-directed Support legislation

1/9/2018

Date for your diary: 19th September 2018, The Lighthouse, Glasgow
An event exploring issues for local authorities when meeting their legal duties under the Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act 2014 and regulations, and the Social Care (Self-directed Support)(Scotland) Act 2013.
Speakers will include:

Procurement lawyers, Lauren Little, Partner at TC Young and Robin Fallas, Partner at MacRoberts LLP
Lorna Ascroft, the Reform of Social Care Programme Lead at Scottish Government.

For more information and to book tickets now see Event Brite

dpw Consultation

31/8/2018

The Department for Work and Pensions have been consulting on the Occupational Pension Schemes Regulations, including the consideration of financial material risks including Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance. Consultation closed on 16th July, feedback is being analysed.
Read more...

do you know the destination of your e-waste?

15/6/2018

A two-year study by the Basel Convention Coordinating Centre for Africa (BCCC Africa) and United Nations University (UNU) into the final destination of e-waste has determined that at least 15,400 metric tonnes of non-functioning used electronic and electrical equipment (UEEE) was shipped to Nigeria between 2015 and 2016. This is a direct violation of international law (the Basel Convention) which prohibits exporting of UEEE.

Approximately three-quarters of the UEEE originated from European ports, however the UK was responsible for approximately 20% by weight. The majority had been hidden in vehicles that avoid inspections and functionality tests. None of whom incurred any punishment over the two-year period. The study concludes that regulations in Nigeria and the EU must be strengthened.

The study findings reinforce the importance of tracability in any supply chain, and duty of care responsibilities when disposing of any WEEE or passing on UEEE. Ensure your suppliers can provide evidence of secure, safe and legal disposal routes.

Find out more...iema.net

social value act

1/6/2018

The cabinet office has announced plans to extend the Public Services (Social Value) Act 2013 to ensure that all government departments evaluate social value when commissioning services, awarding contracts based on social value, rather than just value for money.
Read more...

labour exploitation and slavery found within uk economy

30/5/2018

A recent investigation by the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) inspected hundreds of UK workplaces, determining the extent of slavery and exploitation in the UK workforce. An assessment of sectors identified common exploitative practices:

Recruitment from overseas agencies charging workers to find employment
Victim identification and profiling
Illegal workers
Terms of employment - including zero hours contracts and excessive working hours
Wages - cash in hand and non-receipt of payslips
Health and safety - insufficient training, charges for PPE
Intimidation and coercion

The largest industries guilty of labour exploitation are reported to include agriculture, construction, hand car washes, nail bars, and manual labour such as food service, catering and hotels.

Demonstrating due dilligence by managing supply chains to ensure your organisation is not party to this type of labour exploitation will minimise any risk to your reputation.

Read the full report...www.gla.gov.uk

palm oil in the supply chain

13/5/2018

Since 2002, approximately 100,000 Bornean orangutans have been lost due to deforestation in order to grow and harvest palm oil, destined for household and other products including foods, shampoos and cosmetics.

Palm oil can be found in half of all packaged products in supermarkets as well as those in catering supplies. The EU directive on food labelling enforces the clear identification of palm oil in food yet there is no requirement for labelling in soap, shampoo and other cosmetics.

The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) is also struggling to ensure registered companies trade only in oil that has not come from deforestation. This makes managing the use of palm oil in the supply chain extremely difficult. Enforcing palm-oil free products should be the top priority. Only where absolute assurance regarding the sustainable sourcing of palm oil is possible should it be considered.

Read more...www.theguardian.com

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