CCS proactively helping suppliers with PPN 06/21 implementation

Crown Commercial Service (CCS) is undertaking a proactive campaign of activity to help our suppliers understand and act on the requirements outlined in Procurement Policy Note 06/21. PPN 06/21 asks that suppliers confirm their commitment to achieving net zero by 2050 by calling on them to produce a Carbon Reduction Plan (CRP).

“We are educating and encouraging the entire public sector supply chain to step up and meet the Governments’ Net Zero policy ambitions. Working alongside our customers, our suppliers are critical to our ability to deliver. We need their expertise, products, services, compliance and effective reporting to enable our customers to deliver their commitments,” explains Joe Tilley, Sustainability Director and Strategic Portfolio.

Setting up a Carbon Reduction Plan is fundamental to achieving net zero emissions. For this reason, CCS is taking steps to ensure our supply base complies with the latest PPN. Ultimately, our goal is to show our customers what our suppliers and we are doing to meet the Government’s Net Zero target.

Here is a summary of what’s being done to help achieve this goal:

Providing ongoing CRP training

Since December 2021, the CCS sustainability team has run weekly training events to enable suppliers to produce, release, and maintain a CRP that conforms to the requirements detailed in PPN 06/21. So far, thousands of suppliers have completed the training and are on their way to producing and releasing compliant CRPs. Suppliers can enrol in the interactive CRP and training session at any time.

Conducting complimentary CRP document reviews 

In the next support phase, we will offer our suppliers a complimentary CRP document review to help them meet the required standard set out by the supporting guidance to this PPN. A dedicated team of Document Compliance Officers will review supplier CRPs, assessing the documents against the critical points outlined in the PPN 06/21 guidelines.

“This work will ensure our supply base is ready for future agreements. In addition, the service will help free up their time and efforts to focus on the technical requirements of the tenders rather than setting up a CRP in the short bidding window that they may have as part of the procurement,” says Marie-Helene Durif, Deputy Director, Technology Products & Services.

Making supplier CRPs visible on the CCS website

Once a CRP has been reviewed and can pass the selection criteria stipulated in the PPN guidance, we will add its URL link to the CCS website. As a result, customers can easily see our supply base’s CRPs and understand how their supply chain is embracing the 2050 target. 

When will the CRP review service be operational?

Our dedicated team of Document Compliance Officers will be in place from July 2022 for a fixed period. The team will be available for several months.

When will suppliers be made aware of the CRP review offer?

In the next few weeks, we will contact any supplier that has not yet provided CCS with a CRP. The supplier will receive a request to submit their published CRP for review. The submission link will be unique to the supplier’s organisation, not generic. 

Once a supplier submits their published CRP using the form provided, a Document Compliance Officer will review the CRP document against the key points outlined in PPN 06/21. The guidance on adopting and applying PPN 06/21 is available on GOV.UK. 

How can a supplier contact the CRP review team? 

Any supplier with CRP-related queries can contact the Document Compliance team by emailing CRP@crowncommerical.gov.uk. Suppliers can also find answers to the top frequently asked questions about PPN 06/21 on the CCS website.