Results of Sustainable Procurement Policy in Brazil

The sustainable procurement policy, adopted over one year ago by the Brazilian State of Minas Gerais, shows positive results. The procedure established by the Secretary for Planning and Management of Minas Gerais (SEPLAG) states that the product or service to be purchased is to cause the least impact possible to the environment, not to cause economic losses and to cause social costs. Beyond the environmental benefits, the Government of Minas Gerais saved US$ 61.19 million on purchases made between July 2007 and September last on computer equipment, medicines, paper and raw material for paving roads.

The concept of sustainable procurement takes into consideration the thought that a good purchase is sometimes not only the cheapest product, but one that considers life cycle, energy consumption and emitted radiation.

Sustainable Public Procurement favours suppliers committed to the rational use of natural resources. Other aspects are also considered when it comes to sustainable Procurement, as explains the director for the Central Superintendency for Logistical Resources and Heritage of SEPLAG, Moema Albernaz Parreira, "It does not help to purchase, for example, recycled paper from a company that uses child labour in the production".

The initiative has also a multiplier effect, forcing private companies to adapt to the standards of social responsibility in order to remain competitive in the market. The first product groups included in the Project of Strategic Management of Supplies, initiated in July 2006 were office equipment, computers, asphalt, lamps and meals for the prison units under the jurisdiction of the Secretariat for Social Defense (Seds).

The criteria for purchases vary depending on the product or service. For the purchase of paper, the standard is 25% recycled material. In the case of projects for paving of roads, the criterion used is recycling, specifically the use of post-consumer or recycled raw materials, using at least 15% of rubber. 

International support

The need to create opportunities for sustainable practices of public affairs in the State, led SEPLAG to become a member of ICLEI. Subsequently, SEPLAG expressed its interest to participate in the project ‘Fostering Sustainable Public Procurement’, which was funded through the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) of the British Government. This project was developed in partnership with the State of São Paulo and its capital, under the coordination of ICLEI.

The project provides, among other activities: applied research on criteria for sustainable public procurement in the State and Municipal governments, mapping and identification of categories involving sustainability, from which 7,500 items have already been made available and classified according to methodology developed by Getúlio Vargas Foundation.

Website

Minas Online

Contact ICLEI Latin America and Caribbean