PPN 06/21 compliance made easy

Procurement Policy Note (PPN) 06/21 is a UK Government directive introduced in June 2021. It mandates that suppliers bidding for major central government contracts—typically those exceeding £5 million per annum—must submit a Carbon Reduction Plan (CRP). This supports the government's goal of achieving Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.

Importantly, from April 2024, the NHS requires all suppliers to submit a CRP or Net Zero Commitment, even for contracts below £5 million. This means suppliers must engage with carbon reporting to be eligible for NHS procurement opportunities.

Source: UK Government – PPN 06/21
NHS Policy: NHS England – CRP Requirements

All central government departments, executive agencies, and non-departmental public bodies in England must apply PPN 06/21. Suppliers bidding for in-scope contracts valued at £5 million or more per year must submit a compliant CRP.

From April 2024, the NHS has expanded this requirement to all suppliers regardless of contract value. For contracts over £10,000, suppliers must submit at least a Net Zero Commitment.

Source: NHS England

• Be published on the supplier's website
• Be signed off at an appropriate level within the last 12 months
• Include a commitment to achieve Net Zero by 2050
• Detail current Scope 1, 2, and relevant Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions
• Outline environmental management measures relevant to the contract

Source: PPN 06/21 Guidance

No. PPN 06/21 applies to new procurements launched on or after 30 September 2021 with a contract value above £5 million per year (excl. VAT), where it is relevant and proportionate.

However, the NHS applies these requirements to all new contracts regardless of value as of April 2024.

Compliance is reviewed at the selection stage. CRPs must meet the technical standard but are not scored or benchmarked against other bids. Non-compliant CRPs can result in disqualification.

No. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) documents, case studies, or sustainability statements cannot replace a formal Carbon Reduction Plan. You must use the designated CRP template.

The NHS has implemented a two-tiered approach:

• Tier 1: Contracts ≥ £5 million per annum require a full CRP
• Tier 2: Contracts ≥ £10,000 per annum require a signed Net Zero Commitment

These measures apply to all suppliers and are part of the NHS's broader Net Zero strategy.

Source: NHS Procurement Policy

A Net Zero Commitment is a publicly available, signed statement outlining a supplier's intent to reach Net Zero emissions by 2050 or earlier. It includes estimated emissions and high-level plans for reduction.