London 2012 publishes sustainable procurement code

Any firms hoping to win contracts for the London 2012 Olympics will have to meet stringent environmental criteria, following the publication of the Organising Committee's new Sustainable Sourcing Code.

The Committee said that suppliers bidding for contracts will be measured against the code, which covers a raft of environmental, social and ethical issues.

Firms will be required to demonstrate that their products are sourced in line with international environmental and ethical best practices, that they are actively maximising use of recycled materials and minimising waste and packaging, that they are using energy efficient manufacturing and supply chain processes, and are limiting the use of hazardous or toxic materials.

The code is expected to affect about 5,000 suppliers directly with a further 25,000 firms operating within the games' supply chain.

London 2012 chief executive, Paul Deighton, hinted that the code was likely to become more demanding over time. "One of the most important aspects of this for me is that we are able to develop this as we progress – this is just the first edition," he said. "As we move forward, learn more and gather feedback from others, we can ensure we stay current in this area and indeed across all of our sustainability themes."

Tom Delay, chief executive of the Carbon Trust, said that those firms already committed to reporting and reducing their carbon emissions would now have a competitive advantage in the battle for London 2012 contracts.

"Those leading companies that are already using the Carbon Trust Standard to demonstrate action on climate change and the Carbon Trust's Carbon Reduction Label to measure and communicate product carbon footprints will be well placed to help London 2012 reduce the carbon footprint across its supply chain," he said.