IRONMONGERY AND SECURITY
UNLOCKING BETTER SUPPLY CHAIN PRACTICES
Created based on data obtained through a Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA), an EPD declares the environmental impact of a product from cradle to grave. Once the results of the original LCA have been peer reviewed, in line with the latest construction standards, a product will obtain an EPD verification. This remains valid for five years.
ERA has submitted its first EPD for official verification, for its popular 3 Hook 2 Roller Euro Cylinder Multi Point Door Lock, reflecting its commitment to sustainability and transparency within its operations.
Supply chains are responsible for around 80% of a typical
business’ greenhouse gas emissions, real progress depends on working with partners that are committed to providing sustainable products, as BMJ finds out.
W
hile merchants may already be effectively cutting energy usage and reducing waste within their own operations,
real progress can’t be achieved in isolation. Change requires collaboration and careful consideration when it comes to supplier selection. Luckily, with so much information available to the industry, it is becoming easier to identify responsible suppliers.
Clear communication Lara Coutinho, supply chain sustainability manager at Quanex group, which includes hardware brand ERA, says that a prime indicator of a supplier’s commitment to sustainability is in how openly they communicate their intentions and, most importantly, their progress. “With greenwashing becoming a key concern in a competitive market, it is important to note whether a supplier is releasing regular reports and progress updates,” she says. “Equally, it is essential that their communications extend beyond broad goals,
Above: Lara Coutinho, Supply Chain Sustainability Manager at Quanex group
instead offering measurable data. As a starting point, this level of transparency is a good measure of a supplier’s credibility.” Coutinho adds that, additionally, evaluating a supplier’s long-term sustainability strategy is key. “An accessible roadmap is a stellar example of this. This in-depth documentation will set out how a company plans to tackle its environmental impact over time.”
A roadmap may include, but is not limited to, a business’ plans to switch to low-carbon materials and techniques, its investment in renewable energy, and its waste management strategy, for example. A strong roadmap will also outline commercial ambitions, in line with sustainability goals.
Coutinho explains that Quanex, ERA’s new owner, has recently announced its 2030 Sustainability Roadmap, which focuses on three pillars – Sustainable Products, a Healthy Planet, and Thriving People and Communities. “The goal is to provide innovative, sustainable solutions for customers; to achieve world-class environmental performance in operations; and to build an inclusive, safe, and thriving workplace by positively impacting people and communities,” she says.
Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) are becoming more commonplace in the construction industry and are another example of tangible evidence of good sustainable practice. Merchants should seek to partner with suppliers that are investing time and resources into securing EPDs for their products.
December 2025
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net
Open to data sharing Coutinho says: “A supplier’s commitment to sustainable supply chain practices can also be evidenced in the membership of platforms, such as Sedex, or EcoVadis, which aim to empower businesses to strengthen their sustainable, ethical, and social practices.” Such platforms offer tools and services that enable suppliers to easily manage and boost their credentials in key sustainability and ethics-related areas.
“When sourcing sustainable suppliers, merchants should consider working with providers that are prioritising sustainable packaging and waste management practices, especially considering that 80% of the plastic marine litter found in our oceans makes it way there from land,” she says.
“Transparency, again, remains crucial here. Merchants can verify a supplier’s credentials by checking that any claims around packaging, for example, are not vague, but rather supported with specific, verifiable details. “Not only should the development of sustainable packaging be a key consideration for merchants, but broader waste management initiatives should also be a priority. Therefore, it is important for merchants to understand their partner’s participation in recycling schemes, and their policy on waste to landfill, for example.” ERA, as part of Quanex, has made a commitment to move to 100% sustainable packaging by 2030, as outlined in the group’s roadmap. In addition, the hardware manufacturer is also committed to achieving zero waste to landfill by 2030. Coutinho continues: “As the drive towards a sustainable construction industry accelerates, one of the routes to success for merchants lies within the supply chain. By demanding transparency and aligning with partners that are demonstrating real progress, they can not only reduce their environmental impact but can also strengthen their commercial advantage in a rapidly changing market.” BMJ
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