New Guide for Sustainable Public Procurement
Sustainability in public procurement is a high priority for the Hamburg Senate. With an annual procurement volume of 340 million Euros, the city plays a leading role in promoting sustainability, social responsibility and innovation in the purchasing of goods and services.
The new guide for sustainable public procurement (Sustainability Guide) adopted by the Senate establishes circularity, durability, and repairability of products as key procurement criteria. Additionally, it provides general guidance and requirements regarding gender equality and fair working conditions. The guide expands upon the existing environmental procurement guidelines that have been in place since 2016 and was developed in close collaboration with stakeholders from administration, businesses and civil society.
Electronics, IT or Cleaning Services
In particular, the product groups textiles, electronics, IT, cleaning services and food were comprehensively revised, updated, and expanded to include social sustainability criteria. Furthermore, chemicals that are hazardous to humans and the environment during production or use are now specifically considered.
The Sustainability Guide also includes a negative list, which prohibits the procurement of certain items, such as non-repairable electronic devices, peat products and disposable tableware.
Statements from the Senators
Jens Kerstan, Senator for Environment, Climate, Energy, and Agriculture:
"Hamburg is sending a clear message with the Sustainability Guide: We want to use our market power – and thus contribute to achieving our climate goals. The purchase price alone is not our only criterion, as durable and repairable products are often the more cost-effective option – also for the climate, environment and health. We define very clearly when and why products should be sustainably sourced, but we also take a balanced approach. With this guide, Hamburg is a pioneer among the federal states. We provide practical and concrete guidance to make it even easier to consider environmental protection and sustainability in future city contracts."
Dr. Andreas Dressel, Finance Senator:
"With the Sustainability Guide, we are consistently advancing our strategic procurement. Sustainability is more than just environmental awareness. For us, in addition to ecological aspects, social criteria also play an important role. These include, for example, good working conditions, inclusion, and equality. We have ensured that the effort is minimized wherever possible. Our Sustainability Guide is designed to be as concrete as it is practical. The processes should be as simple and efficient as possible – in line with our vision of modern administration."
Next Steps
The Sustainability Guide will be mandatory for procurements by the core administration, state-owned enterprises and public universities starting in January 2025. Its application is strongly recommended for public companies. In the future, sustainability in the city's procurement will also be measured and managed more precisely. To this end, a monitoring system for collecting data and key figures on sustainable procurement will be established. The Sustainability Guide will be regularly updated and adjusted as needed.
The introduction of the guide will be accompanied by a comprehensive training program. Additionally, there will be ongoing advisory services from the Environmental, Climate, Energy and Agriculture Authority (BUKEA) and the Finance Authority for all involved parties.
Media enquiries
Hamburg Environmental, Climate, Energy and Agriculture Authority (BUKEA)
Press Office
Phone: +49 40 42840 8006
Email: pressestelle@bukea.hamburg.de
Hamburg Finance Authority
Press Office
Phone: +49 40 42823-1662
Email: pressestelle@fb.hamburg.de
