Responsible Sourcing Policy Writers

What are Responsible Sourcing Policies?

Responsible sourcing policies set out how organisations ensure that the goods and services they purchase are produced and supplied in an ethical, sustainable and socially responsible manner.

A clear policy demonstrates a commitment to reducing environmental impact, protecting human rights and working only with suppliers who meet agreed ethical and quality standards. This helps strengthen supply chains, reduce risk and build trust with stakeholders.

What Do Responsible Sourcing Policies Cover?

A responsible sourcing policy typically includes:

• Standards for supplier selection and due diligence checks

• Commitments to fair labour practices, including compliance with the Modern Slavery Act 2015

• Requirements for safe and ethical working conditions in supply chains

• Expectations for reducing environmental impact, including sustainable resource use and low-carbon practices

• Prohibition of bribery, corruption and unethical practices

• Support for diversity, equality and inclusion in sourcing decisions

• Monitoring, audits and reporting of supplier performance

• Collaboration with suppliers to drive continuous improvement

• Links to procurement, supplier relationship, modern slavery and environmental policies

A clear policy helps suppliers understand what is expected of them and gives staff a framework for making responsible purchasing decisions.

It also supports compliance with UK legislation and international standards such as ISO 20400 on sustainable procurement.

By embedding responsible sourcing into business practices, organisations can improve resilience, reduce reputational risk and demonstrate leadership in ethical and sustainable supply chain management.

Legal Basis and Standards

Responsible sourcing combines duties under the Modern Slavery Act 2015, the Bribery Act 2010, the Criminal Finances Act 2017, the Equality Act 2010, ISO 20400 (sustainable procurement), the Cabinet Office Procurement Policy Notes (in particular PPN 06/20 social value, 06/21 carbon, 02/23 selection questionnaire), and the Procurement Act 2023 for public-sector buyers.

Common Compliance Pitfalls

• Supplier code of conduct issued but never enforced.
• Risk-tiering based on spend rather than on social, environmental and governance risk.
• No supplier audit programme for high-risk categories.
• Grievance mechanism absent, breaking ISO 20400 alignment.
• Social value commitments scored at bid stage but not measured at delivery.

What Policy Pros Delivers

Our Responsible Sourcing Policy package includes the main policy aligned to ISO 20400, a supplier code of conduct, a risk-tiered due diligence framework covering modern slavery, bribery, sanctions, EDI, environment and human rights, an audit programme for high-risk suppliers, and a social value tracking procedure for public-sector contracts.