SMEs form the backbone of the German economy. However, with increasingly strict legal requirements and growing social expectations for companies to take responsibility for environmental and social issues, many purchasing departments are facing considerable challenges. The implementation of sustainability in procurement strategies is proving to be particularly complex, as it must not only be ecologically but also economically justifiable. One pioneer in this area is the company Anton Debatin GmbH, which serves as an example of how sustainable procurement can be successfully implemented.

What is sustainable procurement in the SME sector?

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Sustainable procurement goes beyond pure purchasing price management. It encompasses a variety of aspects, such as compliance with social standards along the supply chain, reduction of CO2 emissions, responsible use of materials and ethical behavior. Sustainability in Procurement means designing processes in such a way that long-term benefits are created for both the environment and the company.

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Important criteria for selection and procurement

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A key element of sustainable procurement is management commitment. Without strategic anchoring in management, it will be difficult to implement initiatives successfully. Companies must adopt a structured approach that includes the following steps:

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1. Determine the status quo: First of all, companies should review the current status of their suppliers in terms of sustainability. Questionnaires and risk assessments help to record the sustainability practices of partners.
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2. Creating transparent supply chains: The traceability of the entire supply chain is of crucial importance. This is the only way to identify and eliminate risks such as child labor or environmental violations.
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3. Introduce social and ethical standards: A well-developed Supplier Code of Conduct ensures that suppliers comply with the company's standards. Anton Debatin has proven that compliance is possible even in complex supply chains.
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4. Adapt internal processes: Implementing digital solutions can significantly simplify supply chain monitoring and the management of sustainability initiatives. Platforms such as Takto offer practical tools to ensure compliance and efficiency.

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Challenges and solutions during implementation

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One of the biggest challenges for SMEs is the additional work involved in switching to sustainable processes. This includes additional costs and the need to convince suppliers to comply with the new standards. Procurement must not only demonstrate negotiating skills, but also build a sustainable network that shares common values.

Anton Debatin showed that a long-term, strategic approach is the key to success. The introduction of a company-wide project to implement sustainable processes and the performance of social audits are just some of the measures that helped to position the company sustainably. What is particularly inspiring is the fact that this commitment was intrinsically motivated and not just a response to regulatory requirements.

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Conclusion

Integrating sustainability into Procurement requires courage and determination. Companies that are prepared to take on this challenge benefit from numerous advantages: increased attractiveness as an employer, stronger market positioning and compliance with legal requirements such as the Supply Chain Act. The success of pioneers such as Anton Debatin shows that a sustainable approach to Procurement is not only feasible for German SMEs, but necessary in order to remain future-proof and competitive.

In our webinar: "Sustainability in SMEs: Challenges and solutions for Procurement - Anton Debatin's path to a sustainable procurement organization", we talk to Hans-Walter Trepper, Head of Materials Management at Anton Debatin GmbH, about Anton Debatin's successful transformation to a sustainable procurement organization and how Tacto was able to support this as a solution.