All our procurement is done on a competitive basis and we deal with suppliers in a transparent and fair way. We have strict guidelines on staff conduct when handling procurement matters.

We use an e-procurement system that saves paper and lead times. We also make use of e-auctions that further reduce the need for printed materials.

New suppliers are required to go through an appraisal exercise, which includes an interview and the completion of a supplier appraisal questionnaire. This questionnaire asks suppliers about their performance in such areas as equal opportunities, health and safety, and environmental practices. If necessary, we will arrange a site visit and ask the supplier to complete a related questionnaire.

We will not deal with any supplier that is linked with illegal logging. And we give preference to suppliers that are charities or non-profit-making organisations.

Purchase/service tenders and agreements include a corporate social responsibility clause that requires the supplier to establish an environmental policy and to support our environmental initiatives by providing data on such things as resource consumption. We actively encourage our suppliers to offer environmentally friendlier and recycled products whenever possible.