Cosentino Group has become the first company, both in its sector and worldwide, to obtain ISO 20400:2017 certification as in accordance with the guidelines of the International Federation of Purchasing and Supply Management (IFPSM), a group of 48 purchasing and supply management associations from all over the world. This achievement recognizes the responsible management and strict principles of sustainability of the purchasing department of the Spanish company, both domestically and abroad.
ISO 20400:2017 is the most recent development of UNE 15896:2015, also known as the "European Purchasing Standard," which was established in 2007 with the aim of bringing together the best business practices and providing a guide to help all purchasing departments lead their companies to excellence. ISO20400:2017 on Sustainable Purchasing was issued in 2017 and aims to highlight and establish the contribution of purchasing to sustainability and corporate social responsibility policies, by requiring such policies to be applied both internally within the company and by its suppliers and clients.
The new ISO 20400:2017 Sustainable Purchasing certification meets the new demands and requirements which businesses are now facing: A global and competitive environment demanding real policies to protect the environment, respect people, and uphold ethics in business relations. The existence of this Purchasing Standard means that this increasingly important sphere has become a benchmark for good business practices.
Having conducted an in-depth and pioneering audit process, with the prior collaboration of the consultancy firm Fullstep, Cosentino was able to obtain this certification. The audit is confidential and valid for three years with yearly renewals, as set out by the Association of Purchasing Professionals of Spain (AERCE), and based on the guidelines established by the International Federation of Purchasing and Supply Management (IFPSM).
The certification ratifies good practices and excellence in the company’s activity in this area and its other spheres of influence, including: commercial, financial, operations, human resources, work environment, etc. Cosentino’s performance in sustainable purchasing improves savings in different purchasing divisions; resolves anomalous market situations; is capable of developing alternative products and services; improves supplier markets by encouraging co-responsibility; and generates leadership and progress within the organization.
“It is a source of pride to be pioneers and industry leaders once again; in this case achieving this certification in accordance with ISO Guide 20400:2017 for Sustainable Purchasing," said Julio Martín, global vice chairman for purchasing at Cosentino Group. "This milestone reflects our process of continuous improvement and the work we are doing to strengthen the Cosentino Purchasing function. The department’s strategy is fully aligned with the company’s overall strategy, which has led to us being recognized once again in such important areas as ethics, sustainability and responsibility."
Iván Martín, head of UNE 15896 and ISO 20400 standards worldwide at AERCE, added, “This recognition is just another example of the recognition of the good business practices of a company such as Cosentino, where purchasing has become the driving force of the management of innovation, digital transformation and sustainability. It is a source of pride to be able to say, once again, that a Spanish company is the first in the world to obtain this type of certification, as it not only guarantees that things are being done well in the purchasing department, but that they are being done responsibly and sustainably in respect of the economic, geographical, social and environmental spheres. At AERCE we would like to extend our most sincere congratulations to the entire Cosentino Purchasing team for this unprecedented milestone in the management of a Spanish company.”
For more information, visit www.cosentino.com.
