Press release C2DS, DEC. 7, 2023
Creation of an "ecoscore" for more responsible medical devices
C2DS and Snitem (Syndicat national de l'industrie des technologies médicales) have announced the launch of an "ecoscore" for more responsible purchasing of medical devices. The aim is to develop a simple, effective tool for buyers, based on purchasing indicators and scoring for decarbonation, environmental health and quality of life at work. This is the first tool to bring together manufacturers and buyers directly in its design and use.
Purchasing is the keystone of a sustainable development approach. In effet, they are the main source of greenhouse gas emissions. According to data compiled by C2DS and ANAP, they are responsible for between 50 and 60% of a healthcare establishment's emissions, most of which relate to the purchase of medical devices and drugs. These purchases are followed by waste. Optimizing the health determinants of teams, patients and the environment therefore begins with purchasing.
C2DS and Snitem wanted to work on the creation of an "ecoscore" to develop indicators and a purchasing score. To do this, they chose to use the Afnor Spécification methodology to rapidly agree on priority criteria that both parties could meet in the short term. The three perimeters - decarbonation, environmental health and quality of life at work - will thus be covered.
Afnor will lead the consensual emergence of these indicators and purchasing scoring. The aim is to provide hospital purchasers with a very simple tool, and to indicate to medical device companies what is expected of them.
In terms of timetable, work will start at the end of the 30-day regulatory period for publication of the project on the Afnor website. Other stakeholders, such as experts, manufacturers, users and beneficiaries, will also be involved.
The identification of indicators and scoring will be finalized in June 2024, with a first operational tool, open to all and free of charge.
C2DS and Snitem are financing the project in equal shares, with the aim of offering a simple and efficacious tool to their members: the almost 900 health and medico-social establishments for C2DS, and the 600 DM companies for Snitem. This tool will draw its legitimacy and strength from the consensus achieved.
" For 15 years, we've been explaining 'why act', and continuing to do our part. Today, our role is resolutely to find solutions and provide support on 'how to act'. How can we expect buyers to act more responsibly if they have no operational tools at their disposal? They want to do the right thing, but don't know how. This "ecoscore" will draw its legitimacy from the consensus reached with manufacturers, and will be a negotiation of reason. We will be pragmatic: in the short term, what can we expect from manufacturers and establishments, given their heavy constraints? So we'll be laying solid foundations that can be shared by all. When buyers and sellers agree on fundamentals, that's the key. This is the first step, and others will follow ," declares Véronique Molières, Director of C2DS.
"Snitem welcomes the launch of work on this "ecoscore". CSR is at the heart of the priorities of Snitem and DM companies. Responsible purchasing is a real challenge to which medical device manufacturers wish to contribute. The creation of this tool, which will seek to be the fruit of a consensus between stakeholders, but also rapidly operational and easy to use, is a priority, and it seemed essential to us that this work be carried out jointly with healthcare establishments, which are strongly committed to sustainable development approaches." Eric Le Roy, General Manager of Snitem