ABSTRACT

In Switzerland, the idea of co-operation with developing countries within a just international system and the idea of environmental protection have a long tradition, both among the population and within government. In the case of integrated product policy (IPP), the Swiss Agency for the Environment, Forests and Landscape was designated as the co-ordinating agency. The basic principles of this IPP are: Life-cycle thinking and Policy integration. Life-cycle thinking is one of the pillars of IPP. While sectorial considerations regarding products are familiar to everybody, a holistic view is often overlooked, or even actively avoided. IPP calls on decision-makers always to take into account the principles of sustainable development; that is, to make sure that products meet high economic, environmental and social standards throughout their life-cycle. Public procurement links a wide variety of different sectors of the administration: for instance, the treasury, construction and logistics, defence, foreign and domestic trade and the environment.