Sustainable Procurement & Purchasing Policy

The University of Carthage is committed to embedding sustainability, ethics, and social responsibility at the heart of its procurement and purchasing activities. As a public institution of higher education, we recognise that our purchasing decisions carry significant economic, environmental, and social consequences. And we take that responsibility seriously.

This policy establishes the principles and practices that govern the University's approach to the acquisition of goods, services, and works. It applies to all staff involved in procurement processes across all faculties, departments, and administrative units of the University of Carthage.

The University of Carthage's sustainable procurement policy aims to:

  • Deliver long-term value for money for the University and for the public sector as a whole, going beyond initial purchase price to consider the full lifecycle cost of goods and services.
  • Select goods and services that are manufactured, delivered, used, and disposed of in an environmentally and socially responsible manner, minimizing carbon footprint and waste.
  • Support local and regional businesses to foster a stronger, more dynamic local economy and contribute to the sustainable development of the wider Tunisian community.
  • Uphold ethical standards and respect for human rights throughout our supply chain, in alignment with international labor and human rights conventions.
  • Set a leading example of responsible purchasing for our academic community, students, suppliers, and peer institutions.

3.1 Environmental Responsibility

The University prioritizes the procurement of environmentally certified products and services wherever feasible. We seek to reduce our ecological impact by favoring suppliers who demonstrate a commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, minimizing waste, using renewable energy, and adopting circular economy practices. Environmental criteria are systematically incorporated into tender evaluations and supplier assessments.

3.2 Social Responsibility & Human Rights

We are dedicated to ensuring that our supply chain respects fundamental human rights and dignified working conditions. The University requires its suppliers to comply with applicable labor laws, prohibit forced or child labor, guarantee fair wages, and uphold freedom of association. Ethical considerations are integral to our institutional culture and guide all procurement decisions.

3.3 Economic Responsibility & Value for Money

The University pursues transparent, competitive, and fair procurement processes in strict compliance with Tunisian public procurement legislation. We evaluate suppliers on the basis of total cost of ownership rather than purchase price alone, considering quality, durability, maintenance costs, and end-of-life disposal. Preference is given to innovative solutions that deliver sustainable long-term value.

3.4 Local & Regional Development

The University of Carthage actively encourages the participation of local and regional enterprises in its procurement processes. By supporting SMEs and locally rooted suppliers, we contribute to economic vitality and job creation within our community. Where equal quality and value can be achieved, local sourcing is a preferred option.

This policy applies to all procurement activities of the University of Carthage, including:

  • Acquisition of goods, supplies, and equipment for all departments and faculties.
  • Procurement of services, including consulting, IT, facilities management, and professional services.
  • Construction, renovation, and infrastructure works.
  • Framework agreements and long-term supplier contracts.
  • Delegated procurement carried out by individual departments.

The University's procurement strategies are subject to ongoing review and evaluation of their socio-economic and environmental impact, with the aim of continuously improving our processes. The implementation of this policy relies on staff accountability, capacity building, and the adoption of reliable and innovative strategies aligned with international sector standards.

A sustainable procurement working group, involving representatives from finance, legal, academic faculties, and operations, will be established to oversee policy implementation, monitor performance indicators, and report annually to university leadership on progress against sustainability targets.

This policy is grounded in, and compliant with, the following Tunisian legislative and regulatory instruments:

  • Decree No. 2014-1039 of 13 March 2014 on the regulation of public procurement in Tunisia (Code des Marchés Publics).
  • Decree No. 2012-515 of 2 June 2012 amending Decree No. 2002-3158 of 17 December 2002 on public procurement.
  • Decree No. 2011-623 of 23 May 2011 laying down specific provisions for the regulation of public procurement.
  • Decree No. 2002-3158 of 17 December 2002, as amended and supplemented by subsequent decrees (2003-1638, 2004-2551, 2006-2167, 2007-1329, 2008-561, 2008-2471, 2008-3505, and 2009-3018).

Further reference: https://www.droit-afrique.com/uploads/Tunisie-Code-marches-publics-2014.pdf