Six companies in the railway industry have come together to found "Railsponsible”, an initiative which aims to achieve a global railway industry in which suppliers adhere to ethical, social, and environmentally-friendly business practices. Launched in Utrecht (The Netherlands) in March, the initiative promotes sustainable procurement as means to improve sustainability throughout the supply chain.

As part of the initiative, railway companies will use and share common procurement tools and promote best practices and processes. Founded by the Chief Procurement Officers of Deutsche Bahn, Knorr Bremse, Nederlandse Spoorwegen, Alstom Transport, Bombardier Transportation, and SNCF, Railsponsible is open to all railway operators and suppliers, along with industry associations that share its commitments.

Last month saw the launch of a common supplier assessment campaign using the EcoVadis collaborative platform, a tool which allows procurers to monitor the sustainability performance of their suppliers. The initiative is facilitated by BSR, a non-profit business network and consultancy that promotes sustainability.

For more information, visit the Railsponsible website.