Peru is pioneering the way in sustainable procurement in Latin America. Spanish company AENOR awarded Peruvian fishing company Austral Group certification for its Sustainable Procurement Strategy, based on ISO 20400, turning it into the first company in the region to receive this recognition.
This certification was obtained following a rigorous review by AENOR of the implementation of the sustainable procurement model, confirming that Austral conducts its acquisitions of goods and services with maximum responsibility and efficiency, taking into account the best environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria.
This innovative model allowed for the redefinition of the categorization of the company's suppliers, the identification of supply chain risks and the normalization and integration of ESG criteria into its procurement process. Additionally, over 230 Austral suppliers were evaluated, particularly MyPES in the fishing sector, to identify their level of grade in sustainability matters in order to design the Supplier Development Plan.
Adriana Giudice, General Manager of Austral Group, emphasized the importance of implementing sustainable practices in the value chain, encouraging suppliers to improve their operations, and positively contributing to society, particularly in such an important sector for the Peruvian economy as industrial fishing.
"We are proud to be the first company certified by AENOR in Latin America. We believe this pledge not only defines us as a socially responsible company but also strengthens our relationship with suppliers. Thus, together, we ensure a solid and sustainable commercial future in fishing industry," stated the CEO Giudice.
The executive added that Austral Group marks an important milestone in the Peruvian fishing industry, encouraging other companies in the sector to apply this model in their organizations. "Being the first Peruvian company to obtain this certification, we have a positive impact not only within the organization but also in the fishing sector. With this recognition, we incorporate our pledge to sustainability into the value chain," commented Giudice.
It is worth noting that in 2023, with the support of Impacto Positivo consultancy, Austral Group implemented the first Peruvian sustainable procurement model, called "CRIS". Through this model, the company has crafted a Development Plan that allows for the application of best practices and the closing of gaps in ESG issues, thus strengthening management with its suppliers and fishing boat owners, contributing to increasing their competitiveness in the market.
