Sustainable procurement
Every year, NS purchases goods and services for an average of 1.3 billion euros. In 2024, we had ties with over 3,000 suppliers in 26 countries. 80% of our total procurement is from 122 suppliers. Goods and services purchased by NS mainly comprise trains, components, various staff, financial and facility services, IT, construction, communication and energy. By producing and delivering these goods and services, suppliers have an impact on society. Our guiding principle when it comes to current and potential partners is that we jointly reduce negative impact and increase positive impact.
Socially responsible commissioning and procurement
In 2022, NS introduced the policy for Socially Responsible Commissioning and Procurement (MVOI). This policy was updated in 2024. The aim of the policy is to improve the sustainable impact of NS's supply chain by making concrete, sustainable choices when procuring products and services.
Sustainable key objectives for socially responsible commissioning and procurement
NS's sustainable key objectives – zero-emission, circular, green, for and together with everyone –are also the foundation for its Socially Responsible Commissioning and Procurement policy. These key objectives have been applied to the procurement process to achieve maximum impact.
Zero-emission: for example, we have incorporated our CO2 reduction ambitions into our tendering process for taxi services. This tendering process was completed at the end of 2023, with the new provider delivering taxi services for NS from 1 June 2024.
Circular: for example, in the tendering process for carbon contact strips (conductor between train and overhead wires), we rewarded suppliers for using circular materials and their efforts to extend the lifespan of the carbon contact strips through remanufacturing and repair.
Green: last year, we improved the range in our company restaurant with offerings such as products from regional biodiversity-friendly producers.
Social Return: for example, the deployment of more than 50 people with poor job prospects for the daily cleaning of trains.
Chain responsibility: for example, the supplier of our company clothing only works with factories that meet Fair Wear requirements. This ensures that production takes place under decent working conditions. The supplier also supports projects aimed at promoting a living wage for workers within the production chain.
Procedure for each procurement process
The Socially Responsible Commissioning and Procurement policy describes the procedure for each procurement process, from the wording of a contract to final order. In category plans, we take a strategic approach to sustainability, impact and opportunities for procurement categories. In tendering procedures, we include requirements or award criteria to reward suppliers of sustainable products and services. We also encourage sustainable choices when ordering products by clarifying impact and highlighting sustainable options.
Cooperation in the European rail sector
NS participates in several partnerships to accelerate sustainability improvements in the supply chain, such as ERJU, Eurospec, Railsponsible, Round Table Rail, UIC and UITP.
Sustainability standards in procurement
Railsponsible
NS is a member of Railsponsible and has signed the Climate Pledge to decarbonise its supply chain and reduce carbon emissions according to internationally recognised best practices such as SBTi.
Code of Conduct
The Code of Conduct clarifies the CSR standards for suppliers. Where suppliers violate the Code, we engage in discussions. We did not identify any serious violations in 2024. The Code of Conduct is included in the contract templates as standard and is shared with suppliers at the start of their partnership with NS.
WIZZR
WIZZR is a monitoring system we use to track agreements on Social Return with suppliers. We apply data enrichment to increase transparency and further improve sustainability.
Supply chain responsibility
We developed policy on supply chain responsibility in 2024. The policy is based on principles such as the OECD guidelines. This means that every link in the supply chain is expected to take responsibility for identifying and addressing wrongdoing against people, the environment and society. This policy will be actively applied in the coming years.