POLMED: DNSH principle in practice

When ordering a CT scanner, surgical column or ultrasound machine, do you need to check whether its manufacturer uses environmentally friendly film for packaging? Or whether the equipment can be delivered by electric van? In the new reality of EU funding, this is no joke at all. Along with the National Recovery Plan and other sources of EU funding, the DNSH principle - "Do No Significant Harm" to the environment - has entered Polish hospitals.

Only that without clear rules, it's easy to make costly mistakes. That's why the POLMED Chamber - an association of manufacturers and distributors of medical devices - has prepared a practical guide for healthcare entities that shows how to responsibly and legally conduct sustainable purchases of medical equipment.

DNSH: right idea, difficult practice

The DNSH principle is a pillar of sustainable development in the European Union. All EU-funded investments must not harm the environment in any of six key areas: from climate change mitigation to water conservation to the circular economy. In theory - laudable goals. In practice - a legal and logistical maze that, for many hospitals, can spell trouble when it comes to obtaining funding.

- The DNSH principle is very important, but in the case of health care it requires special care and knowledge. It's not about buying the cheapest "green" equipment, but about sensibly combining environmental requirements with patient safety and quality of treatment," explains Arkadiusz Grądkowski, president of the POLMED Chamber.

Absurdities in tenders

The POLMED Chamber's Guidebook, published under the auspices of the Lewiatan Confederation, is a publication that comprehensively shows how to apply the ESG and DNSH criteria in practice in the procurement of medical devices. It includes:

✔️ examples of well-constructed environmental criteria (e.g., product lifespan, repairability, availability of spare parts),

✔️ warns against common mistakes (e.g., requiring Eco-labels that... do not apply to medical devices),

✔️ analysis of legal considerations under the NIP, EU taxonomy and future ESG reporting obligations (CSRD).

- In recent months, we have seen tenders in which hospitals have demanded, for example, that equipment be transported exclusively by electric vehicles. In the case of large-scale equipment, this is a sham. Such criteria not only exclude viable suppliers, but also expose facilities to tender cancellation," Arkadiusz Grądkowski stresses.

Sustainable, which means responsible

It is important not to confuse "green" purchasing with so-called greenwashing - that is, pretending to care about the environment without real impact. The POLMED Chamber's guide focuses on the concrete: certifications in accordance with international standards, rules based on data and evidence, and a systems approach.

In one example of positive criteria, the contractor must provide training for hospital staff in the environmentally friendly use of equipment - making a real difference in reducing energy consumption, water consumption and waste generation.

- A sustainable tender is not a tender with "green-sounding" slogans, but a tender that is smartly structured, legal, realistic and result-oriented, adds the author of the guide, attorney Oskar Luty, a public procurement expert.

What's next?

In 2025, further ESG reporting obligations will extend to large medical facilities. In practice - without good documentation and clear procedures for meeting the DNSH rule, many hospitals may have trouble accessing funding. This makes it all the more worthwhile to reach for a tool that simplifies what was previously unclear.

The full version of the guide is available on the POLMED Chamber website: https://polmed.org.pl/pobierz-poradnik-zrownowazone-przetargi-na-wyroby-medyczne-i-ivd/

Source: POLMED press mat.