2,000+
businesses supported
UK's largest
compliance scheme
EcoVadis Platinum
top 1% globally
Decades of expertise
across SECR, ESOS & EPR
NHS Supplier ESG Support
Win and keep NHS contracts with ESG that stands up to scrutiny. Reach Evergreen Level 1, build Carbon Reduction Plans aligned with NHS requirements and report Scope 3 emissions with confidence.
NHS supplier ESG support helps organisations understand, evidence and improve their sustainability performance for NHS procurement. From assessing your current position to building robust reporting processes and supplier data strategies, Valpak helps you respond to today’s requirements while preparing for future expectations.
Key NHS supplier ESG support challenges
Who needs NHS supplier ESG support?
Whether you're responding to NHS tenders for the first time or strengthening an established sustainability programme, Valpak can help.
Organisations responding to NHS tenders
Preparing a bid often means gathering evidence of sustainability performance, Carbon Reduction Plans and wider ESG commitments. Our team helps you understand what's required and identify any gaps before submission.
Manufacturers supplying goods to the NHS
As NHS sustainability expectations continue to grow, manufacturers need reliable emissions data, greater supply chain transparency and preparation for future product-level carbon footprint requirements.
Sustainability and Procurement Teams
Managing ESG obligations can be complex. From emissions reporting to governance and risk management, we help teams develop a clear and practical roadmap.
Businesses preparing for Evergreen Level 1
For organisations new to NHS sustainability requirements, understanding where to start is often the biggest challenge. A Position Audit helps prioritise actions and build confidence before tender deadlines.
Organisations developing Net Zero strategies
Reducing emissions requires more than a target. We support businesses with emissions measurement, supplier engagement and realistic reduction planning.
NHS sustainability milestones for suppliers
NHS sustainability requirements are continuing to evolve. As a result, suppliers need to prepare for both current obligations and future reporting expectations.
| 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | 2030 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evergreen Level 1 required before tender close (NHS Supply Chain) | Public reporting of all relevant global Scope 1, 2 & 3, plus a compliant CRP | Product-level carbon footprinting for goods supplied to the NHS | NHS pledges to buy only from suppliers aligned with its net zero move |
What NHS suppliers need to demonstrate
Regardless of contract value, NHS suppliers are increasingly expected to demonstrate robust ESG performance. In addition, organisations are expected to show continuous improvement through reporting, governance and supply chain transparency.
Governance and reporting requirements
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- ✓ Carbon Reduction Plans and Net Zero commitments
- ✓ Scope 1, Scope 2 and relevant Scope 3 emissions reporting
- ✓ Governance, risk management and compliance controls
- ✓ Continuous sustainability improvement and annual progress reporting
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Supply chain and sustainability requirements
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- ✓ Responsible sourcing and modern slavery due diligence
- ✓ Social value initiatives and measurable outcomes
- ✓ Supply chain transparency and ESG data
Understanding NHS supplier ESG requirements
Evergreen Level 1
Overview
Evergreen Level 1 is a sustainability assessment introduced by NHS Supply Chain to help suppliers demonstrate their commitment to sustainable business practices.
What suppliers need to know
For relevant NHS Supply Chain procurements, suppliers must achieve Evergreen Level 1 before the tender closing date.
Why this is important
Without the required level of assessment, organisations may be unable to progress through the procurement process, regardless of their offering.
How we support Evergreen readiness
Our Position Audit identifies areas for improvement, prioritises actions and provides a practical route towards Evergreen readiness.
Carbon Reduction Plans (CRPs)
The purpose of a CRP
A Carbon Reduction Plan outlines your organisation’s greenhouse gas emissions and the actions being taken to reduce them over time.
NHS expectations
Plans should be board approved, align with PPN 006 requirements and use emissions data from a reporting period that is less than 12 months old when procurement begins.
Procurement implications
Because CRPs are assessed on a pass/fail basis, an out-of-date or non-compliant plan can prevent a bid from moving forward.
Support with Carbon Reduction Plans
From emissions calculations to board-ready reporting, we help organisations develop and maintain compliant Carbon Reduction Plans.
Scope 3 Emissions
Understanding Scope 3
Scope 3 emissions are indirect emissions generated across your value chain. This can include purchased goods and services, transport, waste disposal and supplier activities.
Future reporting requirements
NHS sustainability expectations are expanding to include all relevant global Scope 3 categories, increasing the need for accurate supplier and value-chain data.
The challenge for suppliers
For many organisations, Scope 3 emissions represent the largest share of their carbon footprint and are often the most difficult to measure accurately.
Building stronger Scope 3 reporting
We support businesses with data collection, supplier engagement and ESG reporting, helping create a stronger foundation for future disclosure requirements.
Our NHS supplier ESG support services
Position Audit
An honest baseline of where you
stand and what to fix first — before a
tender finds the gaps for you.
Carbon Reduction Planning
Board-approved CRPs and Net Zero Commitments that meet the NHS reporting standard and stay current.
Find out more...Life Cycle Assessment
Product, packaging and service footprints — the foundation for product-level carbon data.
Find out more...Packaging Technology Consultancy
Material, recyclability and weight data that feeds both EPR reporting and your Scope 3 footprint.
Find out more...Zero Waste to Landfill
Independent certification evidencing waste diversion — a mandatory CRP Scope 3 line.
Find out more...Supply Chain ESG Data & Reporting
Collect, verify and reuse supplier data so one dataset answers many tender questionnaires.
Find out more...Making better use of your packaging data
Many NHS suppliers already collect packaging information for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) reporting. However, the same data can often support wider ESG reporting requirements.
For example, packaging weights and material data can contribute towards Scope 3 emissions calculations while also supporting future product-level carbon footprinting activities.
What this means for your organisation
✓ Reduce duplicate data collection
✓ Improve reporting consistency
✓ Save time completing tender questionnaires
✓ Build stronger foundations for future reporting requirements
Supporting future requirements
Reusing existing data can reduce duplication and improve reporting consistency. As NHS sustainability requirements continue to evolve, this approach can also make future procurement reporting easier to manage.
Because Valpak already supports organisations with packaging compliance, EPR reporting and supplier data management, we can help businesses make better use of existing data rather than creating new reporting processes from scratch.
Why choose Valpak for NHS supplier ESG support?
Helping organisations navigate environmental compliance is what we’ve done for decades. We combine regulatory expertise, sustainability consultancy, and data-driven insight to help NHS suppliers stay compliant, demonstrate progress, and remain tender-ready.
NHS-specific expertise: We don’t offer one-size-fits-all sustainability advice. Our team helps suppliers navigate PPN 006, Evergreen requirements, Carbon Reduction Plans, SECR reporting, and Scope 3 emissions, with practical experience supporting organisations working with the NHS.
One dataset, multiple outcomes: The same packaging and product data can help support EPR compliance, Scope 3 reporting, and future product-level carbon footprinting. Valpak’s data-led approach reduces duplication and helps create a more consistent reporting foundation.
Proven track record: Supporting 2,000+ businesses as the UK’s largest compliance scheme, Valpak combines decades of regulatory expertise with an EcoVadis Platinum rating, placing us in the top 1% of companies assessed globally.
Continuous compliance, not a one-off project: Evergreen Level 1 is only the start. Carbon Reduction Plans need updating, reporting requirements continue to evolve, and Scope 3 expectations are growing. We help you maintain compliance and stay tender-ready as requirements change.
FAQs
Any NHS Supply Chain tender issued after April 2026 will require Level 1 status at tender close. Without it, your bid cannot be submitted. Existing contracts are not affected, but future opportunities will be blocked. Valpak can help you reach Level 1 within weeks, not months. Book a Postion Audit.
Yes, but it must be updated with current data. If your CRP’s reporting period is over 12 months old when NHS procurement starts, the old plan fails at selection stage. You’ll need to submit a new plan with current Scope 1 & 2 data.
Most first-time Scope 3 submissions have gaps. Common gaps: fan travel (for sports), supply chain emissions, commercial partner data. Valpak’s audit identifies gaps and prioritises fixes.
- Scope 1: Direct emissions from your operations (heating, fleet)
- Scope 2: Indirect emissions from purchased energy (electricity)
- Scope 3: Indirect emissions from your supply chain, waste, etc.
NHS requires all three. Scope 3 is typically the largest.
No. Each tender requires data current as of procurement start. If your data is 14 months old, it fails. Valpak’s Supply Chain ESG Data platform keeps your data current automatically.
If your supply chain includes packaged goods, you’ll report scope 3 emissions tied to that packaging. Valpak can help audit your supply chain to identify where packaging (and packaging data) sits.
NHS requirements are specific: Evergreen Level 1 is not applicable elsewhere; CRP standards follow PPN 006 guidance; Scope 3 reporting is tied to supply chain visibility (a known gap for most suppliers). Valpak’s NHS-specific expertise addresses these gaps directly.
Book a call to discuss your specific situation. Most suppliers find that compliance costs less than losing a tender due to ESG gaps.
Depends on your current baseline. For most suppliers with moderate governance gaps: 4–8 weeks.
Evergreen Level 1 status doesn’t expire, but your Carbon Reduction Plan and Scope 3 data must stay current (less than 12 months old at tender start). Valpak manages ongoing compliance.
Prepare for future NHS sustainability requirements
NHS sustainability requirements continue to evolve. Organisations that establish strong reporting processes, reliable data and clear sustainability plans today are likely to be better positioned for future procurement opportunities.
Whether you’re working towards Evergreen Level 1, developing a Carbon Reduction Plan or improving Scope 3 reporting, Valpak can help. Together, we can build a practical roadmap that supports both current and future NHS requirements.
Our integrated approach also helps reduce duplication by making better use of data already collected for compliance and reporting purposes.
Speak to an ESG specialist
Discuss your organisation’s requirements with our team and explore how NHS supplier ESG support can help you prepare for current and future sustainability expectations.
Book a free consultation