Picture: Sustainable Textiles Switzerland
Swiss municipalities procure large quantities of textiles—ranging from workwear to protective equipment. With a total annual procurement volume of over 41 billion Swiss francs, the federal government, cantons, and municipalities have significant leverage to promote socially just and environmentally friendly supply chains. In response to the question of how this leverage can be utilized in textile procurement, Sustainable Textiles Switzerland provides Swiss municipalities with a practical answer in the form of a new guide.
This guide is intended for procurement departments in Swiss municipalities and shows how sustainability can be easily and effectively integrated into direct awards for textiles. It was developed as part of the “Together for Responsible Procurement” project with support from the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN), commissioned by ecos, and in consultation with selected experts. It is based on the comprehensive catalog of criteria for sustainable textile procurement
The guideline takes you through the procurement process in six steps: from needs and market analysis, through the selection of sustainability criteria, to the inspection of delivered goods. It follows a clear two-step approach. Basic criteria cover universal minimum requirements that should apply to every procurement. Advanced criteria make it possible to specifically demand higher social and environmental standards in areas where the potential for impact is particularly great.
Specifically, the guidelines outline criteria in five key areas: supply chain transparency, fair working conditions, environmental requirements, climate protection, and the circular economy. For each area, the guidelines include clear requirements, accepted forms of evidence, and an overview of relevant certifications.
Municipalities are invited to actively support STS’s targets and become members of STS. The guide is a first, concrete step toward making sustainability visible in day-to-day procurement and thereby strengthening the public sector’s role as a role model.
