Aiming for a Green – Sustainable – Global Responsibility University model, the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) consistently considers ethical sourcing a vital factor in internal supply chain management, thereby contributing to the implementation of SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production and SDG 13 – Climate Action.

In 2022, the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) established a regulation on “ethical food sourcing”, requiring service units on campus, such as canteens, supermarkets, restaurants, and beverage stalls, to ensure the provision of healthy, safe, and reasonably priced food for students, lecturers, staff, and visitors. However, this regulation was initially limited to a basic framework and did not clearly define specific criteria regarding ethical, environmental, and social responsibility across the entire supply chain.

By 2024, UEH officially refined and expanded the policy, adding new content on Ethical Sourcing Policy not only for food but also for stationery, supplies, and technical equipment. This new policy was immediately adopted in 2024 to promote a green – transparent – sustainable supply chain, enhancing UEH’s reputation and moving toward a comprehensive Green Campus model.

1. Regarding the Policy

The Green University Regulation of 2024 has incorporated an additional “Ethical Sourcing Policy” as follows:

Article 6: Ethical Sourcing Policy 

Ethical Sourcing is defined as UEH’s process of selecting, procuring, and utilizing food, stationery, supplies, and equipment from suppliers who comply with standards regarding safety, transparency, social responsibility, and environmental protection. The objective of this policy is to ensure that all procurement activities within UEH support sustainable development, promote green production, and responsible consumption.

1. For Food: Procurement must only be from suppliers with food safety certificates and clear traceability; preference is given to local, organic, or certified products such as VietGAP or HACCP.

2. For Stationery and Supplies: Preference is given to products with ecolabels, made from recycled materials, and limiting single-use items and non-recyclable plastics.

3. For Technical Equipment and Supplies: Preference is given to products that are energy-efficient, environmentally friendly, and possess ISO 14001 certification or equivalent.

4. Internal units are responsible for selecting suitable suppliers, maintaining records of product origin, and periodically reporting to the UEH Green Campus Coordination Board.

5. Suppliers who violate ethical, safety, or environmental standards will face temporary suspension of cooperation and be placed on the non-compliance list.

See details on UEH’s Ethical Sourcing Policy and Green University Regulation at: https://gogreen.ueh.edu.vn/en/green-campus-regulations 

This UEH policy directly contributes to SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production and indirectly to SDG 13 – Climate Action through reducing emissions, responsible consumption, and developing a green supply chain.

2. Implementation

Following the newly added policy, during the academic year 2023–2024, UEH implemented adjustments in accordance with the new regulation. All procurement and sourcing activities within UEH must now meet standards related to safety, transparency, and sustainable development. Specifically:

+ Food: Only suppliers with food safety certificates and clear traceability are partnered with; preference is given to local, organic, or certified products such as VietGAP or HACCP.

+ Stationery and Supplies: Selection of products with ecolabels and recycled materials; minimizing single-use items and non-recyclable plastics.

+ Technical Equipment: Prioritizing energy-efficient, environmentally friendly equipment with ISO 14001 certification or equivalent.

Picture6

Image of technical equipment, etc., bearing energy-saving labels (Star-rating labels, etc.)

In addition to expanding its scope, the 2025 policy also establishes a mechanism for supply chain monitoring and transparency. Internal units must maintain records of origin and report periodically to the UEH Green Campus Coordination Board, while suppliers will be evaluated, ranked, and publicly disclosed based on the “Ethical Supplier” criteria. Units that violate ethical, safety, or environmental standards will face temporary suspension of cooperation and be placed on the non-compliance list.

It can be seen that the 2024 regulation laid the foundation for the “ethical sourcing” mindset within UEH, while the 2025 version elevates this policy to a comprehensive green supply chain management and responsibility system. This is a clear step forward in UEH’s journey towards the goal of a “Sustainable University with Global Impact,” simultaneously spreading the spirit of responsible consumption to the community of students, lecturers, and partners of the University.

Open related links:

1. 2022, Regulations Regarding Green Campus Practice, https://gogreen.ueh.edu.vn/en/green-campus-regulations