Recently, the EasyMix team picked up a BSI certification for the responsible sourcing of products (BES 6001). We’re proud of our achievement, and wanted to share some tips with our readers about how to think about sourcing building goods in a more sustainable way.

Why is the certification important?

With the government putting more and more focus on sustainable development, it’s becoming apparent that construction companies need to be able to prove that their buildings have been created in a sustainable fashion. The sourcing of products is a key aspect of this, and it falls to the manufacturers to make sure that the supply chain is managed properly.

What does the certification cover?

The BSI certification BES 6001 covers a wide range of different topics, but the main three categories that everything can be brought under are:

  • Organisational management
  • Supply chain management
  • Environmental and social issues

The assessment process starts at the point at which the materials are mined or harvested, and ends with the manufacturing and processing carried out by the business in question.

At EasyMix, we understand that, in order to create the best concrete possible for our customers across London, we need to source the highest quality cement and aggregates. We make sure that all of the materials are perfect before we start each mix, and that’s why our customers keep coming back to us. We make the best concrete around, it’s that simple.

What are the benefits of getting certified in this way?

There are many different benefits to picking up a BES 6001 accreditation. These include:

  • Being able to demonstrate to customers and other key stakeholders that you have a great supply chain.
  • Being able to leverage the certification to improve your company’s image as well as become more competitive in the market.
  • Learn more about supply chain management during the process of the application and amass knowledge about how to choose the best suppliers.

How your business can start sourcing materials more responsibly

When it comes to the responsible sourcing of materials, the main piece of advice that we would like to give you is this: it pays to do your research. A company that might seem like a good fit for your supply chain on the face of it could end up having some secrets that they’re not telling you, so always make sure you carry out your due diligence carefully! Usually, a firm’s reputation will precede itself, so if you’re looking for a new timber or stone supplier that you haven’t heard of before, it’s worth doing some extra digging.

It’s also worth noting that, while a cheaper price point might be enticing in the short term, a reputational knock to your business could last forever, so don’t go for the cheapest option if the supplier isn’t willing to be completely transparent.

Here at EasyMix, we’re London’s favourite concrete supplier. We supply both ready mix and volumetric concrete throughout the capital, so if you have a project on the horizon that requires our expertise, you know that we can be there to help. For more information about our services or the sourcing of our products, please feel free to get in touch.