What is the NF X50-135-1 standard?

Today, there are two standards for responsible purchasing: ISO 26000 and NF X50-135-1.
In this article, we explain everything you need to know about the NF X50-135-1 standard!

What is responsible purchasing?

Responsible purchasing covers all purchases of goods and services for which environmental and social impacts are taken into account.

We can also speak of eco-responsible purchasing when the environmental impact of the good or service is a purchasing criterion. To achieve this, buyers can draw on various models such as short supply chains, eco-design and the circular economy...

This notion of responsibility is part of CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility). Purchasing is an integral part of companies' strategies for reducing their environmental and social impacts, which are addressed in their CSR approach.

The NF X50-135-1 standard

The NF X50-135-1 standard is a product of AFNOR.
AFNOR is an association whose subsidiaries form an international group providing services of general interest and sustainable development services.
The association's aim is to support companies and local authorities through 4 value propositions:

• AFNOR Normalisation (standardization)
• AFNOR Édition (publishing)
• AFNOR Compétences (training)
• AFNOR Certification

The NF X50-135-1 standard is offered by AFNOR Édition.

What is the NF X 50-135 standard?

The NF X50-135-1 standard can be seen as a follow-up to the ISO 26000 standard. Indeed, NF X50-135-1 aims to answer the questions raised by purchasing departments.

This standard therefore offers concrete, applicable recommendations for all organizations.
The aim of NF X50-135-1 is to support not only buyers but also senior management, since it can be integrated into the company's overall strategy.

The first part of the standard presents the internal and external organizational models that a company can put in place to adopt a responsible purchasing model. This first part thus makes it possible to set the guiding principles of the new purchasing model, including stronger governance and respect for human rights, working conditions, the environment, fair practices and local development.

The second part of NF X50-135-1 offers concrete recommendations as well as tools suited to each stage of the purchasing process. This part provides answers to questions about competition, product life cycle management and drafting specifications for responsible purchases.

The NF X50-135-1 standard therefore gives buyers access to practical advice and tools to set up a new organization that enables a responsible purchasing policy.

The ISO 26000 standard

The ISO 26000 standard dates from 2010 and, for its part, provides definitions of the terms and core issues of social responsibility.
It was the first standard to address responsible purchasing issues, but it remains less precise and concrete than NF X50-135-1.

On the other hand, ISO 26000 is a good starting point for rethinking how your organization operates and establishing a more comprehensive strategy that involves all of the company's management functions.

Improving the impact of your purchasing with Leasetic

Transforming the way companies manage their purchasing is one of Leasetic's core businesses! Our offer is aimed at Purchasing Directors as well as executives, as it addresses two major challenges for companies: reducing their environmental impact and their costs. We work across many areas of the business: responsible financing, IT equipment leasing and IT fleet management, revaluation and financial expertise.

Contact one of our experts today!