In business relations with buyers from the European Union, sustainable supply chains are increasingly reflected in very concrete questions directed at companies from Bosnia and Herzegovina. Partners expect companies to be able to explain the origin and flow of key materials, how they assess procurement risks, how they monitor impacts on the environment and people, and whether they have basic procedures in place to manage these processes. In practice, companies are expected to demonstrate that they have control over their processes and that they can consistently provide verifiable information when requested by buyers.
The most significant change for SMEs lies in the transition to a system where information is collected in a standardized way and maintained over time. This requires establishing minimum internal responsibilities, organizing records, and defining procedures that can be repeated without improvisation. Once this foundation is in place, companies can respond to requests more quickly, reduce the risk of supply disruptions, and strengthen their position in negotiations, particularly as buyers increasingly assess suppliers through the lens of sustainability.
In this context, the programme implemented by AHK BiH focuses on building local expertise and developing practical tools for companies that need to align with sustainable supply chain requirements in accordance with EU rules, including the due diligence framework and related market expectations. The key objective is to strengthen the capacities of local companies so that they can assess compliance and practically apply relevant methods and tools.
The programme topics are structured to address what companies most often need in practice. They include understanding regulatory frameworks affecting supply chains, assessing ESG risks and applying double materiality approaches, mapping stakeholders and identifying sector-specific risks, as well as operational tools for supplier analysis and screening, including checklists, audit approaches, and self-assessment tools. A particularly important component is supply chain mapping and methodologies for calculating emissions across the value chain, including Scope 3 emissions, as an increasing number of buyers require evidence that companies can track impacts not only within their own production but also through their suppliers. The programme also includes the integration of ESG objectives into procurement systems and company transformation planning, as well as tools for performance monitoring, basic reporting, and mechanisms for addressing issues and non-compliance.
The programme is designed to translate knowledge into practice through work on concrete challenges within companies and mentorship during the implementation phase, ensuring that methods and tools are adapted to the real capacities of SMEs. At the same time, the establishment of a digital resource base is planned on the AHK BiH website (www.bosnien.ahk.de), providing practical guidelines and materials so that support can be accessible to a wider group of companies. This activity is supported by the European Union and the Federal Republic of Germany through the EU Private Sector Development initiative, with the aim of strengthening the competitiveness and resilience of companies in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the context of evolving market expectations.
For SMEs in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the message is straightforward: sustainable supply chains increasingly depend on a company’s ability to manage data, risks, and suppliers in a structured way. Companies that establish basic procedures in a timely manner and use reliable tools for supplier mapping, risk assessment, and performance monitoring are better positioned to retain customers, enter new value chains more quickly, and plan stable growth in markets where business reliability is increasingly measured through sustainability.
