6 September 2010 | Angeline Albert
Energy firm Enel has achieved the international standard for its work on environmental purchasing.
The purchasing department of the Italian-based firm obtained ISO14001 certification for its management of supplies and contracting of goods and services.
The accomplishment is highlighted in its sustainability report for the year ending 31 December 2009, out this month.
The international standard sets out requirements for organisations to measure and document the environmental impact of their business. When firms believe they have hit that standard, their performance is externally audited and certified.
Enel’s ‘green’ procurement measures included setting environmental criteria in the qualification requirements and technical specifications for tenders. The company gives its suppliers a questionnaire to complete so it can ascertain their awareness of these issues.
Meanwhile, following feedback from suppliers, the company has revised its IT portal to make it more user-friendly. In addition, it has designed a slimmed-down qualification procedure.
In 2009 the Enel Group awarded (on average) 81 per cent of the value of large deals – those worth more than €1,000,000 (£838,210) – to local suppliers (ie, vendors resident a in a group country) and 19 per cent to foreign suppliers.
In addition, it reduced business travel by replacing it with conference calls. The group also uses hybrid transport vehicles (conventional and power-driven), and its truck cranes, vehicles with cherry-pickers and heavy vehicles are equipped with more energy efficient Euro5 engines.
