L3M5 Practice Exam Questions with Answers Socially Responsible Procurement Certification

Explanation

Reverse logistics.

The 'returns' sector represents an industry in itself, and creates large volumes of traffic on the roads.

In a LinkedIn post some time ago, I suggested that 'last mile' distribution and returns could be un-dertaken more efficiently and in a more environmentally-friendly manner by a single state-run en-terprise, perhaps with red vehicles and red collection boxes. This was a 'witty' idea, as historically in the UK we had Post Office / Royal Mail doing exactly that, prior to privatisation of the market and the very significant growth of companies like DHL, TNT, etc - the 'success' of this competitive mar-ket has resulted in vast numbers of 'white vans' crowding the roads and pavements, resulting in noise, air pollution, and I'm sure an increased number of road accidents. A PhD awaits someone who wishes to monitor the change in injuries and deaths as delivery / reverse logisitcs vehicle num-ber have increased in the UK.

(L3M6)

Explanation

GHG is an abbreviation for 'greenhouse gas'.

Greenhouse gases create a 'greenhouse effect' on the planet- ie warming it.

Other question on the subject of GHG appear in these tests.

Explanation

CH4 - methane - a greenhouse gas.

Explanation

Freight distribution gives us the clue that the correct answer is 'green logistics'.

Explanation

CO2 - an example of a greenhouse gas.

This is very common knowledge.

Explanation

Global Reporting Initiative.

The GRI standards have been widely adopted for reporting on sustainability issues by many com-panies worldwide.

Explanation

True.

EIAs can be direct, indirect or cumulative.

Explanation

'Re-create' is a fiction for the purposes of this question.

Explanation

It is unlikely that health and safety legislation will itself create meaningful environmental costs. Probably the opposite.

However, the siting / location of the warehouse itself can be significant: is it near customers / suppli-er thus reducing distances travelled? Do employees need to use vehicles to get to work, or is public transport readily available?

Modern warehouses should be designed in a relatively environmentally-friendly way. For example, well-insulated, using modern materials technology.

And then the materials-handling equipment: again, latest technology can help. A battery-powered forklift creates fewer emissions (potentially including a 'green' power source) than a smoky noisy spluttering old diesel forklift.

(L3M6)

Explanation

Unit load. Part of the concept of unitisation - making items easier to store and transport.

(L3M6)

Explanation

Corporate Social Responsibility.

A very common concept nowadays.

The idea that organisations should accept some responsibility for what goes on around them, and not just focus on increasing profits.

Explanation

The answer is palm oil.

Much has been written and broadcast about the environmental and social damage caused by the growing and harvesting of palm oil.

Explanation

1994.

The term was coined in that year by John Elkington in the UK.

Explanation

Polluter pays

Explanation

Clearly this is auditing. Compliance, verification, legality, etc.

Explanation

The correct answer is one metre.

It is predicted that this increase will be devastating not just for low-lying areas, but for many popu-lation centres.

Explanation

Local wage rates would not be relevant, but all of the other factors shown would be.

In fact, these factors would be fundamental to this type of decision-making.

(L3M6)

Explanation

Height - a reference to the necessity to fully use the cube of a space.

(L3M6)

Explanation

The correct answer is that all of these shown create hazards, which along with exposure to chemi-cals, gases and some forms of dust, must be guarded against. In most countries there is legislation which should be observed to promote safe working.

Warehouses and factories are highly hazardous places, and managers should ensure that stringent safety procedures are followed to the letter, in some cases, upon pain of dismissal for employees. For examples, vehicles and humans should be physically separated wherever possible, and items at height should be handled with utmost care.

(Yesterday I witnessed a crane manoeuvre (outside the UK) where an operative was standing di-rectly under a very heavy item, which had it fallen, would have instantly killed the operative. Such practices need to be trained out of people, irrespective of the cost.)

(L3M6)

Explanation

The combination of environmental and social concerns, with business, immediately implies CSR.

Explanation

Cost (reduction) is a traditional focus of procurement.

CSR tries to help us think beyond simply cost reduction, or a bottom line orientation.

Explanation

Rail / road access, customer / supplier proximity, local wage rates would all be factors in the deci-sion regarding location of a new storage facility / distribution centre. Interest rates would be set at a national level, at least, so would be unlikely to feature as an important decision-making criterion.

(L3M6)