In 2024, the University Board adopted the revised ethical procurement guidelines and established the procurement strategy for 2024–2028.
UiO is working with risk-based due diligence assessments to implement UiO’s ethical procurement guidelines. In addition, the supplier register is regularly reviewed against the lists recommended by The Norwegian Agency for Public and Financial Management (DF?), to identify and exclude companies that breach fundamental ethical standards.
On the updated UN list
This autumn, The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) published an updated report on business enterprises involved in activities related to Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory.
Information about the update and the report can be found on OHCHR’s website (ohchr.org).
Airbnb, Booking.com and Expedia Group are all included in the list of the 158 companies that OHCHR believes may be linked to human rights violations. This is based on activities related to Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
— Based on the assessment done by OHCHR, these companies do not comply with the requirements we set in our ethical procurement guidelines. Therefore, UiO does not want our employees to use these companies, says Arne Benjaminsen, University Director.
Adjustments related to accommodation for travel
UiO has framework agreements with a travel agency, hotels and car rental that should be used, if possible, when booking business travel. Rental platforms such as Airbnb, Booking.com, Expedia or equivalents should not be used for accommodation during work-related travel. UiO does not have agreements with these three companies.
— This means that employees who have planned overnight stays with such companies will, as a rule, not have the expenses reimbursed. Exceptions to this rule must be assessed case by case and supported by clear justification. We understand that it may take some time to become familiar with new routines, and there will be a transition period until sufficient information measures have been carried out, says University Director Arne Benjaminsen.
The website for employees is updated with the new adjustments related to booking travel and accommodation. See updated information on booking a trip here.