سياسة التوريد الأخلاقي لجامعة القصيم

Contents

1. Introduction

2. Scope

3. Goal

4. Objectives

5. Key Responsibilities

6. Our Approach

7. Governance

8. Measurement and Reporting

1. Introduction

1.1. Qassim University is committed to being a regional, national, and international leader in sustainability. In alignment with Saudi Vision 2030 and its commitment to environmental stewardship, economic diversification, and social development, the University seeks to integrate sustainability principles into its operations, academic activities, research initiatives, and international partnerships. The University will procure goods and services responsibly, ensuring that procurement practices contribute positively to the environment, the economy, and society, in accordance with the Government Tenders and Procurement Law (Royal Decree No. M/128, 1440H) and the Expenditure and Project Efficiency Authority (EXPRO) regulations.

1.2. To achieve this, sustainability considerations—social, environmental, and economic—shall be embedded into all procurement decisions across the University. The procurement of goods and services shall adopt a whole-life value approach, ensuring that decisions generate long-term benefits for the University and its stakeholders, while minimizing negative environmental, social, ethical, and economic impacts.

1.3. This policy directly supports the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, including sustainable economic growth, resource efficiency, and the advancement of environmental responsibility. It reinforces the University’s commitment to sustainable food, agriculture, and resource management as outlined in Vision 2030 strategic programs.

2. Scope

2.1. This policy applies to all University employees and all University-owned subsidiary entities involved in purchasing, selecting suppliers, or making procurement decisions. It ensures consistent and uniform integration of sustainability principles into procurement processes and encourages suppliers to contribute to the University’s sustainability objectives.

3. Goal

3.1. The goal of this policy is to procure goods and services in a manner that maximizes value, efficiency, and effectiveness, while minimizing environmental and social risks and reducing negative sustainability impacts.

4. Objectives

4.1. The University aims to:

·       Implement sustainable procurement standards that establish a structured approach and measurable performance indicators for improving sustainability outcomes across procurement activities.

·       Support the University’s commitment to achieving Net Zero carbon emissions by 2030 by reducing carbon impacts associated with purchased goods and services.

·       Optimize the use of natural resources and eliminate, or where elimination is not possible, minimize the use of disposable and single-use plastics.

·       Maximize social value within the supply chain by promoting ethical sourcing, economic inclusion, and local supplier engagement where feasible.

·       Raise awareness and promote best practices in sustainable procurement, ensuring that sustainability information and guidance are easily accessible to all staff.

·       Strengthen the skills and knowledge of staff involved in procurement decisions to ensure sustainability principles are consistently applied.

5. Key Responsibilities

5.1. All University staff with purchasing authority are responsible for:

·       Assessing whether a purchase is necessary and exploring opportunities to reuse, repair, or share existing assets before initiating new procurement.

·       Prioritizing sustainability and whole-life cost considerations in the selection of suppliers and awarding of contracts, rather than focusing solely on initial purchase price

All employees involved in procurement activities shall:

·       Continually invest in their professional development to ensure they possess the knowledge and skills necessary to integrate sustainability, circular resource use, and responsible purchasing into all procurement decisions.

5.2. Procurement Department

The Procurement Department is responsible for:

·       Embedding sustainable procurement principles into all procurement procedures, policies, and decision-making frameworks, ensuring alignment with Saudi Vision 2030 goals relating to sustainability, resource efficiency, and economic diversification.

·       Prioritizing specialist procurement support for acquisitions that are high value, high volume, high impact, or high risk, thereby ensuring optimal stewardship of University and national resources.

·       Developing and delivering accessible guidance and training to staff to ensure clear understanding and effective implementation of this policy.

·       Advising faculties and divisions on sustainability requirements, including responsible sourcing, carbon impact, and whole-life cost considerations.

·       Engaging proactively with suppliers to communicate sustainability expectations, monitor compliance, and promote continuous improvement throughout the contract lifecycle.

5.3. Suppliers and Subcontractors

Suppliers and subcontractors shall:

·       Comply with all sustainability-related contractual requirements and demonstrate commitment to supporting the University’s sustainable procurement objectives.

·     Provide data and transparent reporting regarding their sustainability practices, environmental impacts, and improvement initiatives throughout the duration of their contract.

·     The University’s catering and food service providers shall procure ingredients sourced from sustainably managed aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Priority shall be given to suppliers that demonstrate responsible sustainable farming, harvesting, and production practices, with preference for local and regional suppliers wherever feasible. This approach supports the national objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 by strengthening local economies, promoting food security, reducing carbon emissions associated with long-distance transportation, and ensuring high-quality, fresh food for the University community.

6. Our Approach

Our approach to sustainable procurement is to:

·     Work collaboratively with contracted suppliers to achieve positive sustainability outcomes and proactively mitigate negative environmental, social, and economic impacts.

·     Encourage all suppliers — particularly local, regional, SME, and emerging enterprises — to enhance the sustainability performance of their operations and supply chains, in line with Vision 2030’s private-sector and localization objectives.

·       Ensure all collaborative procurement arrangements meet or exceed the University’s sustainability requirements.

·     Apply all core pillars of sustainable procurement, including good governance, respect for human rights, fair labor practices, climate and ecological impact mitigation, ethical sourcing, diversity and inclusion, and customer-focused service.

·     Include a minimum sustainability evaluation weighting of 20% in procurement assessments, with criteria guided by relevant United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and Vision 2030 sustainability indicators.

·       Support a circular economy by prioritizing products and services that reduce waste, enable reuse, and extend product life cycles.

·       Ensure full transparency within supply chains and uphold ethical conduct, integrity, and compliance with regulatory and national standards.

·       Build partnerships that strengthen the regional economy by removing barriers to entry and encouraging participation from local suppliers, SMEs, and enterprises owned by diverse groups.

·       Provide appropriate and ongoing training to all procurement-related personnel to build internal capability and ensure consistent application of sustainable procurement practices.

7. Governance

7.1. The Counsellor and General Supervisor of the General Administration of Financial Affairs holds executive responsibility for ensuring the effective implementation and integration of this policy across all procurement and purchasing activities.

7.2. Strategic oversight, direction, and assurance of policy delivery are provided by the University Council, ensuring alignment with the University’s sustainability commitments and the broader national objectives outlined in Saudi Vision 2030.

7.3. This policy shall undergo formal review every two years, or earlier if required by regulatory changes, emerging sustainability priorities, or updated Vision 2030 strategic guidance.

7.4. Sustainable procurement forms a core component of the University’s Environmental Management System and contributes to meeting Vision 2030 environmental targets relating to resource efficiency, reduced emissions, and responsible consumption.

8. Measurement and Reporting

8.1. The University will monitor and report performance against the sustainability indicators defined in the Appendix and publish the results annually to ensure transparency and accountability.

8.2. The University is committed to continuously improving how it evaluates procurement impacts, including measuring carbon emissions, social value creation, and contribution to local economic development — particularly for high-value, high-impact, and high-risk procurement categories.

8.3. To support accurate reporting and enable data-driven decision-making, suppliers and subcontractors shall provide annual sustainability performance reports that include:

·       Measurements of environmental, carbon, and social impacts

·       Sustainability goals and improvement plans

·       Progress updates and corrective actions where required

These reporting requirements support the University’s commitment to Vision 2030 by improving visibility across the supply chain, fostering responsible resource management, and promoting innovation and continuous improvement.