Welcome

The RESPIRO project aims to encourage an exchange of experiences in including social and ethical requirements in procurement actions both between public and private sector purchasers and potential suppliers. Two sectors have been selected for particular attention:

Construction
– as Europe’s largest industrial employer, efforts to promote Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) principles, such as healthy and safe working conditions and combating against black labour, can have a significant impact on a great many people. In addition, social criteria in sourcing supplies can have sustainability gains in the global dimension.

Textiles and Clothing
– a sector under high pressure from global competition where CSR principles such as quality employment can help to profile European industry. Again, as the sector is a major employer especially in developing world countries, CSR principles are relevant along a global supply chain as well.

Objective

The RESPIRO project aims to increase inclusion of social and ethical requirements in public and private sector procurement through encouraging an exchange between public and private sector purchasers.

Strands of activities

To establish and facilitate a multi-stakeholder dialogue process with relevant stakeholders, in order to bring together the relevant expertise for the various issues of the two sectors: construction, and textiles and clothing.

To produce clear guidance for Socially Responsible Procurement (SRP) in the construction and textile and clothing sectors, in particular concerning the following issues: working conditions, employment protection, black labour, promoting labour market inclusion, and ethical procurement of materials.

To widely disseminate the guidance developed.

To raise awareness among policy-makers at national and European levels of the opportunities offered by SRP.

Download a two-page summary of the RESPIRO project [PDF 131 KB]

The project is co-funded by the European Commission, Directorate - General Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities (Industrial Relations and Social Dialogue)

Responsibility in Procurement Guides available

The two RESPIRO guides on socially responsible procurement for building construction works and textiles and clothing are available in three languages (EN, FR and DE): download your copy now

RESPIRO Conference outcomes

The 1.5 day RESPIRO conference took place on the 3-4 December 2007 in the City of Lille, France.

Click here to access conference outcomes.

Learn more about the RESPIRO project...