Sarah's Story of Sustainable Procurement (Case Study): How a Small Business Owner Implemented ISO 20400

Today, I want to share an inspiring story of how ISO 20400 can guide businesses towards more ethical procurement practices. I'll explore a real-life case study of a social entrepreneur importing textiles and jewellery from a developing country into the UK.

Sarah, who I will be talking about in the case study below, agreed for me to share her story and her name, but asked that I did not link to her actual business because she does "it on the side" (selling imported jewellery and textiles on the weekends at her local market that she designs with artisans in a developing country that she visits on her holidays). She decided she wanted to do engage in some sort of ethical procurement because she had familial ties with the people she was trading with: she wanted to help the people she had gotten to know after years of visiting the same small village her husband was from to develop more stable incomes. She also felt that she could help offer better qaulity items then what was typically offered at her local market for better prices.

I was personally interested because I got my own start - becoming interested in ethical supply chains and procurement - by visiting Mexico as a teenager. I was both dismayed at how felt I could not do anything to alleviate the poverty I saw there but also how attracted I was to much of the jewellery and textiles I saw being produced.

Although this was many years before ISO 20400 was produced, I decided to try to do my own version of Fair Trade importing and tried to get to know the people I started to buy and import pieces from to sell back in Canada and ensure that the trade was somewhat/more mutually beneficial (than usual). I did this by trying to pay fair prices to the artisan producers, as well as chargin fair prices to my customers, and then attaching little tags that clearly showed which village each piece came from and which told a short "story" of the items for the customers to read that eventually bought them.

Sarah had some similar motivations for why she decided to attempt to apply a sustainable approach to procurement when importing textiles and jewellery. However, she decided to do it more systematically and align it with ISO 20400. Her story not only illustrates the practical application of ISO 20400 but also highlights the positive impact ethical procurement can have on communities and the environment.

Understanding ISO 20400

ISO 20400 is the international standard for sustainable procurement. It provides guidance to organisations on integrating sustainability within their procurement processes. The standard covers a wide range of topics, including human rights, environmental impact, and ethical behaviour. By following ISO 20400, businesses can ensure their supply chains are responsible, transparent, and contribute positively to society.

Meet Sarah: A Social Entrepreneur

Sarah Smith, a passionate advocate for ethical fashion, founded her upcycling business five years ago. Sarah's mission is to bring beautiful, handcrafted textiles and jewellery from artisans in a developing country to the UK market. She believes in the power of fair trade and sustainable practices to transform lives and communities.

When Sarah started, she faced numerous challenges. She wanted to ensure that her products were ethically sourced and that the artisans she worked with were paid fairly and treated with respect. Additionally, she aimed to minimise the environmental impact of her supply chain. However, navigating the complexities of international procurement while maintaining her ethical standards was daunting.

Although her business was mainly something she did in her spare time as a hobby, Sarah decided to use ISO 20400 as a framework to guide her procurement process. Here's how she did it:

Supplier Assessment: Sarah conducted thorough assessments of potential suppliers. She spent time with potential suppliers getting to know them as people and then observed their day-to-day operations and created her own forms to help her evaluate their labour practices, environmental policies, and commitment to fair trade (mutually beneficial) practices. This helped her select suppliers who shared her values.

Contract Management: She established clear contracts with her suppliers, specifying fair wages, safe working conditions and sustainable practices. These contracts were aligned with ISO 20400's guidelines. For Sarah personally, this meant that she committed to going to a specific country and visiting the same village on her holidays twice a year. Her family decided to buy a holiday home there and establish links

Transparency and Traceability: Sarah initially used an Excel spreadsheet but found that she quickly need to use professional tracking software in order to implemented a system that would reliably trace the journey of each product, from the artisan's workshop to the UK market. This ensured transparency and allowed her customers to see the positive impact of their purchases.

Continuous Improvement: She regularly reviews and improves her procurement practices, seeking feedback from her suppliers and customers to ensure ongoing compliance with ISO 20400.

Impact

The impact of Sarah's efforts has been profound in her own life. By systematically implementing ISO standards, she has developed a side business and entire network of meaningful relationships with artisans in a developing country who now have a stable source of income and improved working conditions thanks to her efforts. Additionally, Sarah's customers in the UK see the difference in the quality of her products as well as transparency and ethical values she offers and show their appreciation with continued loyalty and support.

Sarah's journey offers valuable lessons for other businesses aiming to implement ISO 20400:

• Start with a Strong Mission: A clear and compelling mission can guide your business decisions and help you stay committed to ethical practices.
• Choose the Right Partners: Select suppliers who share your values and are willing to collaborate on sustainable practices.
• Be Transparent: Transparency builds trust with customers and stakeholders. Use traceability systems to show the positive impact of your procurement practices.
• Continuously Improve: Sustainable procurement is an ongoing process. Regularly review and improve your practices to stay aligned with ISO 20400 and address new challenges.

ISO 20400 provides a comprehensive framework for businesses looking to adopt ethical procurement practices. Sarah's story demonstrates that it is possible to create a positive impact through responsible sourcing. By following ISO 20400, businesses can not only enhance their reputation but also contribute to a more sustainable and equitable world. As more companies embrace these principles, we can look forward to a future where ethical procurement is the norm, benefiting both people and the planet.