Obtaining ISO In Procurement Sustainability

Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has obtained ISO 20400:2017 Certificate in recognition of its sustainable procurement practices, from the British Standards Institute (BSI). As such, it has become the first transport organisation worldwide to obtain this certification. 

Saeed Al Marri, Director of Contracts and Procurement at RTA’s Corporate Administrative Support Services Sector was proud of this achievement. “Obtaining ISO certificate endorses RTA’s efforts in implementing sound sustainable procurement and contracting processes. It also reflects the controls in place to reduce negative environmental, social and economic impacts. It complements a host of RTA’s strategic goals such as safety and environmental sustainability, financial sustainability, and asset sustainability,” he explained. 

“It is gratifying that the environmental element was quoted in ISO certificate awarded. RTA’s care for the environment is reflected in the procurement of environmental-friendly products to conserve the use of natural resources in a responsible and sustainable manner. It also sets the standards for disposing of materials sourced through environmentally safe processes besides identifying potential areas for improvement,” noted Al Marri. 

The social aspect is evident in raising the proportion of items procured through suppliers enlisted under the Mohammed Bin Rashid Establishment for SME Development to encourage their business as directed by the government. The support also extends to include other suppliers engaged in supporting local community concerns.

The economic dimension is focused on availing equitable contractual opportunities to all vendors and reducing the government expenditure. It involves analyzing the cost of product’s lifecycle starting from calculating the cost of the supply chain up to the cost of using and disposing of the product at the end of the productive economic use over the long run.

“RTA is keen to implement the best global practices and standards while endeavouring to improve the quality of its corporate business practices, and align them with the government policies for sustainability and expenditure,” concluded Al Marri.

View News Headlines