Sustainable Procurement Tools for a Sustainable Supply Chain

FS Engineering embraces sustainability in every process, from corporate ESG policies to sustainable design criteria. As part of the FS Group, sustainability is a fundamental pillar of the corporate governance model, promoted by a specific policy and implemented through constantly updated methodologies and operational tools.

With its approach to sustainable procurement, FS Engineering concretely promotes sustainable development by positively guiding the choices and behaviors of suppliers throughout the supply chain without limiting competition.

This approach allows for:

The FS Group's Proprietary ESG Rating Platform

FS Engineering selects its suppliers according to the most relevant environmental, social, and economic sustainability criteria for the sector and requires that their overall sustainability performance be assessed through the FS Group's proprietary ESG Rating Platform.

The ESG Rating defined by the FS Group represents the first step in supporting suppliers on a path to improving their sustainability profile. All FS Group suppliers and economic operators must assess their level of maturity regarding the management of sustainability dimensions (Environmental, Social, and Governance) by completing the self-assessment questionnaire on the FS ESG Rating Platform.

The ESG Rating is a requirement for registration and continued participation in the FS Group's Qualification Systems, a rewarding element in tenders, and a contractual requirement set forth in the new General Contract Conditions, which will be issued soon.

The questionnaire for assessing its sustainability performance is available on a dedicated platform at https://esgrating.gruppofs.it/. Further information on the methodology and how to access the platform can be found at the "RATING ESG" link.

Guidelines for Sustainable Procurement Management

With the "Guidelines for Sustainable Procurement Management," FS Engineering has defined the process for introducing sustainability requirements (so-called sustainable procurement criteria) and assessing the sustainability profile of goods, services, and works. The aim is to positively influence supplier choices and behaviors throughout the supply chain.

These criteria are used in negotiations and technical specifications, i.e., in the supplier selection phase and as rewards for bidders participating in tenders for works, services, and supplies related to the company's core business, as well as during the related execution phase.

The assignment of criteria follows a rigorous process of analysis and assessment of risks, opportunities, and impacts related to the procured product or service throughout its entire life cycle. Periodic monitoring, established in the Guidelines, consolidates the minimum thresholds and sustainability requirements that can be used, ensuring they are always aligned with the latest methodological and regulatory developments. At the same time, through performance indicators, it enables ongoing self-assessment of supplier engagement objectives.

Monitoring and Transparent Communication

Effective communication is a key element in disseminating sustainability principles to suppliers and other stakeholders, with the aim of contributing to the creation of a naturally sustainable supply chain, consistent with the Group's ethical principles and objectives.

By defining its sustainability objectives and contributing to the FS Group Integrated Report, FS Engineering is also committed to transparent and comprehensive communication regarding the impacts of its activities on customers, stakeholders, consumers, and the public.

Such reporting processes are essential to ensuring full consistency between the sustainability strategy and its concrete implementation through the monitoring and dissemination of indicators that monitor the overall performance of the entire supply chain. In addition to meeting key internal management and transparency objectives, our communications efforts follow rigorous and verified methodologies, aligned with the legal obligations arising from the entry into force of the new CSRD (EU Directive 2022/2464, implemented in Italy by Legislative Decree 125/2024) and the issuance of subsequent delegated acts, which introduce disclosure obligations for companies across the entire value chain, including small and medium-sized enterprises.

FS Engineering has therefore implemented several indicators for monitoring its supply chain, which refer to the involvement of economic operators in the ESG rating platform. Furthermore, it requires its suppliers to provide declarations regarding worker protection, working conditions, diversity and inclusion, and data protection. These requirements have been incorporated into the obligation to subscribe to the FS Group Code of Ethics and form the basis for the application of the SA8000 principles. To this end, FS Engineering has established a supply chain monitoring process, sending suppliers a communication of the standard's requirements and a formal request for their acceptance, as well as a related commitment to complying with the social issues outlined in SA8000. This initiative complements other sustainability commitments, starting with Ecovadis certification, which awarded the company a bronze level in 2025 as its first achievement.

Research as a tool for continuous learning

These approaches are also explored in research and innovation activities, where FS Engineering, as part of the EU Rail Symbiosis project, coordinated by the UIC – International Organization of Railways, is conducting a study on the application of sustainability and biodiversity principles and indicators in supply chain management and procurement. In this context, the research group, which involves international partners from the academic and corporate worlds, connects leading European infrastructure companies and supports them in sharing best practices and effective responses to the challenges posed by international regulations. In particular, it highlights the new requirements for integrated sustainability reporting and the obligations extended to the supply chain by the new CSRD, promoting recommendations in line with global sustainability goals.