Weighted criteria allow the buyer to evaluate multiple factors, not just price, to make a fair and balanced decision. This approach ensures responsible sourcing by considering quality, sustainability, and other relevant factors alongside cost, which aligns with public procurement ethics and standards.

CIPS promotes a constructive and corrective approach when suppliers fall short of ethical standards, especially on critical issues like human rights. Immediately cutting ties can harm workers further and disrupt supply without addressing root causes. A responsible sourcing approach requires buyers to engage suppliers, escalate the concern, and establish a corrective action plan with monitoring to ensure compliance. Only if the supplier refuses to act or breaches persist should termination occur. This supports continuous improvement, supplier development, and ethical due diligence, reflecting global standards such as the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
Reference: CIPS L4M4 Study Guide (v2), LO: "Implementation" - audits, corrective action plans, ethical risk management.

The correct answer is 'yes- because a low credit rating would indicate the supplier is financially un-stable'.
The two options beginning with no should automatically be discounted. The other option is incor-rect because credit ratings are private and would therefore not affect reputation.

Employee working conditions, a code of ethics, and a carbon emissions policy are all indicative of a supplier's commitment to ESG standards. Assessing these factors aligns with responsible sourcing practices, which prioritize sustainability and ethical considerations.

Including ESG criteria in tender analysis helps ensure suppliers align with the buyer's sustainability initiatives (1) and helps identify risks within the supply chain (4), such as unethical labour practices or environmental harm. Improving workflow (2) and spend monitoring (3) are operational concerns but not ESG drivers.
Responsible sourcing requires procurement professionals to integrate ESG into decision-making, ensuring not only cost-efficiency but also ethical compliance, resilience, and long-term value. This reflects the growing importance of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and stakeholder expectations.
Reference: CIPS L4M4 Study Guide (v2), LO: "Concepts" - ESG in sourcing decisions.