ERA releases extended Sustainable Supplier Framework

In 2020, the European Rental Association (ERA) launched the ERA Sustainable Supplier Framework to set the industry best practice guidelines and raise common practices for sustainability assessments across the industry.

ERA has now released an extended version of the Sustainable Supplier Framework, which is available on the ERA website. The extended version gives rental companies a mechanism for assessing different levels of adherence to the Framework and opens the possibility for them to audit suppliers.

The Framework aims to enable a harmonised and more effective approach to sustainable supplier assessments and is beneficial for both rental companies and their suppliers. It was developed by an independent consultant based on interviews with rental companies and suppliers and on relevant international standards and provides a set of minimum requirements and aspirations for sustainability in the areas of:

• Human rights and working conditions
• Health and safety
• Responsible sourcing of components and raw materials
• Environmental performance
• Business ethics
• Product sustainability performance

Rental companies have the possibility to adopt the Framework as a code of conduct for their suppliers and suppliers can post adherence to the Framework on their websites or submit it directly to rental companies.

This common approach reduces the administrative burden of supplier assessments for rental companies and suppliers, raises standards across the industry and allows rental companies of all sizes to consider suppliers against a common set of sustainability requirements.

Furthermore, it gives rental company customers, such as contractors and public procurers, a clear idea of how the rental industry approaches supplier assessments and demonstrates that the industry is committed to responsible business practices and high standards of sustainability.

Read more about the Framework and download the relevant documents on the ERA website: https://erarental.org/sustainable-suppliers/