SUSTAINABILITY
“ One major hurdle is the enormous complexity of global supply chains , which are often very difficult to trace ”
SANDRA GERHARTZ , MANAGING DIRECTOR AND COO OF BUSINESS UNIT CERTIFICATION , TÜV NORD GROUP
4in1 – a certification concept that proves sustainable development along the entire mineral raw material value chain up to the final product ,” Sandra continues . “ Once all four standards are launched , it will be possible to verify sustainable operations along all stages of the mineral raw materials value chain .
“ The certification will allow companies to knowingly buy from sustainable sources and give their procurement practices a significant sustainability push . When all standards are available , we can cover the value chain from exploration to the final product .”
Improving business outcomes with sustainable procurement Believing sustainable procurement not only provides added value for the environment and society , but is also crucial to a company ’ s financial success , Sandra says optimising resource usage , combined with improving supply chain efficiencies , can lead to significant cost savings .
“ In the current volatile global conditions , collaborating with suppliers and prioritising sustainability can lead to more resilient and adaptable supply chains ,” she goes on .
78 March 2025