Ethical guidelines for procurement
Purpose and scope
OsloMet’s vision is: “Oslo Metropolitan University develops knowledge to solve societal challenges.” As a public institution, OsloMet is obligated to use public resources efficiently and responsibly. In addition to complying with public procurement legislation, OsloMet is committed to act ethically and sustainably in its role as a purchaser.
OsloMet’s strategy emphasizes social responsibility and cooperation at the regional, national, and international levels, with a strong focus on sustainable development. Procurement activities at OsloMet shall meet the institution’s needs for products and services while contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and OsloMet’s objectives for accountability and sustainability.
Sustainable development requires consideration of people, society, the economy, and the environment. UN Sustainable Development Goal 17, “Partnerships for the Goals,” is a globally recognized approach and shall serve as a guiding principle for OsloMet’s procurement activities.
The purpose of these Ethical Guidelines for Procurement is to clarify how OsloMet works with sustainability in procurement, to define applicable requirements, and to ensure that OsloMet acts with transparency and respect in all its operations. The requirements cover areas including financial responsibility, climate and environmental impact, and social conditions, including human rights and international humanitarian law. The specific requirements applied shall reflect the procurement’s potential for negative impact.
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Requirements for employees
This section describes management’s expectations and requirements for ethical conduct in purchasing, ordering, and supplier interactions.
Use of contracts
Existing contracts shall be used where they meet the need for the required goods or services. Contracts or framework agreements entered between OsloMet and external suppliers must be used only when justified by the institution’s operational needs.
Gifts and other benefits
Employees shall not accept, for themselves or others, gifts, commissions, or business benefits that may influence, or appear to influence, procurement decisions or procurement processes in an improper manner. In cases of doubt, such offers shall be declined.
Minor promotional items and seasonal greetings, such as small gifts of nominal value, are not covered by this restriction.
Information and communication
Confidential information obtained through connection with supplier shall not be used for personal gain. Information received regarding bids or services shall be treated as confidential and shall not be misused to the disadvantage of competing suppliers.
OsloMet employees are expected to act in accordance with good business practice, maintain high ethical standards, and ensure equal treatment of suppliers.
Business conduct, social interaction and travel
Moderate hospitality and social interaction may, in some cases, be a natural part of professional interaction with suppliers and/or during a procurement process. However, such interactions must not influence decision-making or give reason to believe that they do.
When suppliers offer visits to private companies, travel to exhibitions, or similar activities, OsloMet must cover its own travel and accommodation expenses.
Whistleblowing
All employees have both the right and the responsibility to report misconduct or other matters of concern in the workplace. This includes violations of laws, regulations, OsloMet’s ethical guidelines, or commonly accepted ethical principles.
Reports are normally expected to be submitted to the employee’s immediate supervisor or manager. For further information, see OsloMet’s whistleblowing procedures on the university’s website.
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Requirements for employees participating in a procurement process
These requirements apply to employees who lead or participate in the preparation, conduct, and follow-up of procurement processes and awarded contracts.
Impartiality
Employees participating in a procurement process are responsible for assessing their own impartiality at the outset of the process. Impartiality requires that there must be no circumstances that could raise doubts about the employee’s objectivity.
In cases of doubt, the matter should be raised with the immediate supervisor or manager for assessment.
Risk assessment
The high-risk list published by the Norwegian Agency for Public and Financial Management (DFØ) identifies product categories particularly exposed to violations of fundamental human rights in supply chains. OsloMet employees shall use DFØ’s guidance to set appropriate requirements and criteria in procurements.
Contracts with a risk of human rights violations must be monitored, and deviations and improvement actions must be reported.
Corruption
Corruption is defined as the misuse of entrusted authority for private gain and may take the form of bribery or personal benefits. OsloMet shall not offer, request, receive, or accept improper advantages, directly or indirectly, for personal gain or to benefit others.
Corruption and trading in influence are criminal offenses under the Norwegian Penal Code.
Conflicts of interest and fair competition
Employees shall avoid conflicts of interest and ensure fair competition. This includes avoiding situations where personal interests conflict with OsloMet’s interests, or where such interests could affect professional judgment or institutional independence.
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Principles for sustainable procurement practices
These principles describe how OsloMet identifies and manages risk to prevent, mitigate, and reduce negative impact on people, society, and the environment. They explain the requirements OsloMet places on contracted suppliers to ensure sustainable business practices.
In procurements involving a high-risk human and labour rights violations, OsloMet applies specific contractual clauses to safeguard fundamental human rights. These clauses are developed by DFØ and Ethical Trade Norway.
1. Requirements for OsloMet
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Due diligence assessments
OsloMet’s membership in Ethical Trade Norway commits the institution to conduct due diligence. Due diligence is a risk-based approach to respecting and safeguarding people, society, and the environment in OsloMet’s operations and throughout the supply chain.
This includes identifying risks of negative impacts, preventing and mitigating such impacts, monitoring implemented measures, assessing their effectiveness, and communicating with affected stakeholders.
Where OsloMet causes or contributes to negative impacts, the activity shall cease and the harm shall be remedied by OsloMet. Where the supplier is responsible, the supplier shall also be responsible for remediation. OsloMet expects suppliers and partners to apply the same approach.
OsloMet shall adapt its procurement practices to strengthen, and not undermine, suppliers’ ability to meet OsloMets requirements and to improve conditions for people, animals, society, and the environment.
OsloMet will promote cooperation with its contracted suppliers and, when relevant, help strengthen suppliers’ capacity to meet OsloMet’s supply-chain requirements.
OsloMet will publish an annual publicly available report to Ethical Trade Norway describing activities, results, and future plans.
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Ethical, Social, and Environmental Risks
OsloMet endorses Ethical Trade Norway’s Declaration of Principles, which are based on UN and ILO conventions and international standards covering human rights, decent work, environment and climate, anti-corruption, and animal welfare.
OsloMet recognizes that its procurement activities may have negative impacts. Typical ethical, social, and environmental risks associated with procurement are outlined below and shall be assessed on a case-by-case basis. The level of risk determines the requirements applied in tender documents.
1. Human Rights
In global supply chains, OsloMet shall apply ethical contractual clauses to promote decent working conditions and compliance with working time regulations. Wages shall always be sufficient to cover basic needs, including some level of savings. OsloMet shall support freedom of association and democratically elected worker representation.
OsloMet shall not procure goods or services from suppliers operating in countries subject to UN or Norwegian sanctions. OsloMet shall avoid suppliers whose activities pose a high risk of contributing to serious human rights violations in situations of war or armed conflict, in accordance with the Geneva Conventions and UN resolutions.
2. Environment and Nature
OsloMet shall consider environmental and ecological impacts in procurement by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, minimizing harm to nature, and ensuring sustainable management of natural resources. Environmental certifications, eco-labels, and sustainability criteria shall be applied in contracts and award criteria where relevant.
3. Circular Economy
OsloMet shall apply circular economy principles, including life-cycle thinking, resource efficiency, reuse, and recycling.
4. Animal Welfare
Where animal welfare labeling schemes exist, OsloMet shall assess whether it is appropriate to require such certification, including organic or animal welfare labels. This applies to food as well as products such as soaps, detergents, and wool. Animal welfare requirements in public procurement play a significant role in improving welfare standards.
5. Corruption
The risk of labor-related crime and corruption shall always be assessed in procurement processes.
6. Innovation
OsloMet shall assess whether a procurement may contribute to innovation or value creation. Market dialogue shall be used where appropriate to share knowledge and develop future-oriented, sustainable solutions.
2. Requirements for OsloMet's Contracted Suppliers
OsloMet expects contracted suppliers to demonstrate commitment to continuous improvement through cooperation and systematic efforts to comply with Ethical Trade Norway’s Principles for Sustainable Business Conduct (Code of Conduct).
Suppliers are expected to conduct due diligence assessments, prevent and mitigate negative impacts, monitor outcomes, and communicate with affected parties. Where suppliers cause or contribute to harm, they are responsible for remediation.
Suppliers shall avoid business partners operating in countries subject to UN or Norwegian sanctions and shall follow Norwegian government guidance on avoiding activities that contribute to illegal occupation or violations of international law.
3. Ethical trade Norway's Principles for Sustainable Business Conduct (Code of Conduct)
These principles are based on UN and ILO conventions and establish minimum standards. Applicable national legislation shall be respected, and where multiple standards apply, the highest standard shall prevail.
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References
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Entry Into Force and Revision
Effective date: January 1, 2026.
This document shall be updated as necessary to ensure that its content remains current. At a minimum, the document shall be reviewed and revised annually.