SHiPP case study | Region Västra Götaland, Sweden

In Sweden, harmonizing sustainability criteria amongst different public authorities is essential to reduce administrative burden and give a clear signal to the market through specialized collaborative networks that share expertise and tools.

The National Agency for Public Procurement provides tools to optimize procurement processes and achieve sustainable development goals. Their publicly available database has more than 600 criteria (environmental, social, labor, etc.) ready to be used by procurers. However, developing such product specifications requires the support of different experts and a multi-stakeholder approach. 

Not all Swedish procuring authorities have the required in-house expertise, but they can begin their procurement process using the baseline tool provided by the National Agency. 

To minimize the negative impact of healthcare procurement, the National Agency stresses the importance of traceability throughout products’ supply chains. It applies a lifecycle approach that considers both the carbon footprint and the presence of hazardous substances. The National Agency provides many toolkits, including a lifecycle-costing tool to ensure that procurement cost calculation is consistent across the country.

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About SHiPP

The Sustainable Health in Procurement Project (SHiPP) was a four-year program developed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with Health Care Without Harm and funded by the Swedish International Development and Cooperation Agency (SIDA), that aimed to reduce the harm to people and the environment caused by the manufacture, use, and disposal of medical products and by the implementation of health programs.

With an expansive and diverse network of over 1,700 members in more than 80 countries, GGHH was a key vehicle to engage the health sector around the globe on sustainable procurement through the Sustainable Health in Procurement Project (SHiPP). 

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