Government Buying Standards (formerly known as Buy Sustainable Quick Wins) are designed to make it easier for government buyers to buy sustainably. They include:

• Official specifications that all government buyers must follow when procuring a range of products
• Information about sustainable procurement and how to apply it when buying
• Direct links to websites with lists of products that meet the standards

Sustainable procurement

Government Buying Standards are designed to help buyers across the public sector to procure sustainably. They set out the sustainable criteria that must be followed when buying a range of different products and services. The Standards have been also designed to ensure that products which fulfil the criteria provide better value for money over the whole life of the product than products that do not.

By following the Government Buying Standards across the whole public sector, key targets around sustainability can be met, such as the mandatory Sustainable Operations on the Government Estate (SOGE) targets.

All central government departments and their related organisations must ensure that they meet at least the mandatory Government Buying Standards when buying goods and services.

The Buying Standard for commercial refrigeration states that the product must be on the Government's Enhanced Capital Allowance (ECA) Scheme. Foster Refrigerator has more products listed on the ECA scheme than any other UK based commercial foodservice refrigeration manufacturer, which therefore qualify for the Government's Buying Standard. For a full list of Foster products available on the ECA Scheme please download the Foster ECA Green Paper here.

The Buying Standard states that HFCs must only be used where other safe, technically feasible, cost effective and more environmentally acceptable alternatives do not exist in accordance with Government policy. Hydrocarbon (R290) refrigerant meets all the requirements of the Buying Standard's specifications, which Foster Refrigerator offer at no extra cost! Please click here to visit the 'Green Papers' section of our website for further information on Hydrocarbons and energy efficiency in refrigeration.

In summary, benefits of the Buying Standard include:-

• Contributes to your Carbon Reduction Commitment
• Lower Running Costs
• Reduced Carbon Emissions
• Product Payback Story