Ethical Sourcing Policy (12.2.1)

Policy on ethical sourcing of food, materials, and supplies across university operations. 

Introduction:

Al-Ahliyya Amman University (AAU) demonstrates a strong and institutionalized commitment to ethical, sustainable, and responsible procurement through a comprehensive governance framework that regulates the sourcing of food, materials, and supplies across all university functions. The Ethical Sourcing of Food and Supplies Policy, officially published and publicly accessible on the university’s sustainability portal, establishes clear and measurable standards for supplier selection. These include transparency, environmental performance, fair labor practices, human rights due diligence, life-cycle sustainability, and alignment with internationally recognized frameworks such as ISO 20400 Sustainable Procurement, Jordanian Environmental Regulations, and UN SDG 12.7 on sustainable procurement.

The policy mandates that all procurement decisions prioritize environmentally certified products, minimize materials with negative ecological or social impacts, and support local producers and SMEs, thereby reducing carbon emissions associated with transportation and strengthening local economic resilience. AAU also integrates sustainability clauses into vendor contracts, requiring compliance with waste reduction, packaging minimization, and ethical labor standards. Annual supplier evaluations, conducted by the Sustainability and International Ranking Center (SIRC) in collaboration with the Procurement Unit, ensure full adherence to these criteria and promote continuous improvement.

This policy is applied consistently across all university departments—including food services, laboratories, office procurement, facilities management, and maintenance operations—as part of a unified sustainable supply-chain management approach. Its implementation contributes to measurable reductions in waste, improved resource efficiency, and increased reliance on eco-labeled and locally sourced products.

By institutionalizing ethical sourcing practices, AAU actively promotes a culture of responsible consumption, fair trade, and supply-chain integrity. This initiative directly advances SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), while indirectly supporting SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) through fair labor standards, SDG 13 (Climate Action) through lower carbon footprints, and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through enhanced collaboration with sustainable suppliers and national stakeholders. Through this policy, AAU positions itself as a leading model of sustainable procurement in Jordan and across the region.

Ethical Sourcing of Food and Supplies Policy

Impact Evaluation & Development Plan

1. Performance Evaluation

   Sustainable Procurement Governance

   AAU’s Ethical Sourcing of Food and Supplies Policy is implemented in coordination between the Finance Department, General Supplies and Services Department, and the

   Sustainability and International Ranking Center (SIRC). The policy ensures that all procurement decisions undergo sustainability screening and supplier evaluation based on ethical, social, and environmental criteria.

   Supplier Ethical Compliance

   Through the Supplier Ethical Sourcing Assessment Procedure, suppliers are required to meet minimum standards in environmental management, occupational safety, fair wages, and human rights compliance. Preference is given to vendors that are ISO 14001-certified or demonstrate measurable reductions in carbon emissions and plastic use.

   Local and Sustainable Food Sourcing

   The university’s hospitality and cafeteria services prioritize locally produced, organic, and seasonal foods. The Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism collaborates with national producers and culinary partners to promote sustainable menus and reduce food waste. The Local Products Exhibition 2025 and Jordan International Food Festival further support community producers and sustainable food supply chains.

   Digital Procurement Monitoring

   Procurement processes are digitized and tracked through the university’s ERP system, allowing transparent recording, approval, and monitoring of all purchases in accordance with sustainability metrics. Annual reports summarize supplier compliance and progress toward sustainable sourcing goals.

2. Development Actions

   Action 1: Sustainable Procurement Portal (2025 – 2028), Create a digital procurement platform to track and rate suppliers on sustainability performance (local sourcing %, recycled content, ethical compliance), to Launch by 2026; 100% supplier inclusion by 2027.

   Action 2: Supplier Training Program (2025 – 2028) Conduct annual workshops for suppliers and contractors on sustainable sourcing, packaging reduction, and ethical standards, to get 4 workshops annually; 150 suppliers trained.

   Action 3: Green Cafeteria Initiative (2025 – 2028) Transition all university food providers to local, low-carbon, and waste-free operations, to get 70% local food sourcing by 2027.

   Action 4: Eco-Certification for Procurement Units (2025 – 2028), Obtain ISO 20400 Sustainable Procurement certification for the Finance and Supplies Departments, to achieve Certification achieved by 2028.

   Action 5: Ethical Marketplace Pilot (2025 – 2028), Establish a university fair promoting ethical and local products from Jordanian SMEs and social enterprises, to get an Annual event from 2026 onward.

3. Benchmarking & Best Practice

   AAU benchmarks its ethical sourcing practices against world-leading institutions such as the University of Oxford (UK), University of Melbourne (Australia), and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (Saudi Arabia), all recognized for embedding sustainability into procurement governance.

    

   Adopted Best Practices

   · Integration of life-cycle cost analysis in procurement decision-making.

   · Prioritization of eco-labeled and Fairtrade-certified products.

   · Supplier audits to verify compliance with ethical and environmental standards.

   · Public disclosure of procurement data through sustainability reports.

   Localization & National Alignment

   AAU’s ethical sourcing framework aligns with Jordan’s National Green Economy Strategy, Public Procurement Bylaw No. 28 (2019), and Waste Management Framework Law No. 16 (2020), supporting responsible public purchasing and local economic development.

   Future Goal (by 2028):

   Establish the AAU Sustainable Procurement and Supply-Chain Observatory, providing annual analytics on ethical sourcing performance, supplier compliance, and circular economy integration across the university.

Institutional Integration Summary

The implementation of the Ethical Sourcing Policy is coordinated by the Sustainability and International Ranking Center (SIRC) and operationalized by the Finance Department, General Supplies and Services Department, and the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism.

Each unit submits procurement data quarterly to SIRC for sustainability verification, ensuring compliance with ISO 20400, ISO 14001, and UN SDG 12.7 indicators.

Monitoring tools assess supplier sustainability performance, sourcing patterns, and waste reduction outcomes. Verified data are incorporated into the Annual Sustainability Report and Executive SDG 12 Report for public transparency.

This governance system guarantees that procurement and sourcing processes are transparent, traceable, and environmentally responsible, embedding ethical principles into every purchasing decision.

Through this integrated framework, AAU not only supports responsible production and consumption but also strengthens its contribution to SDG 8, SDG 12, SDG 13, and SDG 17, positioning itself as a regional leader in ethical and sustainable procurement practices.