ObsAR Observatoire des Achats Responsables

What ObsAR Observatoire des Achats Responsables does

ObsAR — L'Observatoire des Achats Responsables — is a French non-profit association (loi 1901) founded on 8 July 2010 in Rueil-Malmaison, France, with a regional antenna in Meyreuil (Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur). The association operates as a think tank dedicated to promoting responsible purchasing practices across the French economy, serving procurement professionals, CSR/sustainability officers, and public-sector buyers in both private enterprises and government bodies. Its core membership spans 60+ organisations including CEA, Crédit Agricole, Air Liquide, La Française des Jeux, AFD, Direction des Achats de l'État, Ministère des Armées, and UGAP.

The association's product and service portfolio centres on six offerings: the annual Baromètre des Achats Responsables (now in its 16th edition with 550 respondent organisations, conducted with OpinionWay), expert-led Working Groups (GT) covering climate, inclusive purchasing, human rights, and methodology, the Académie ObsAR micro-learning platform, the Jeu des Achats Responsables board game training tool, a 1,300+ document resource centre, and publications including the '100 questions pour comprendre et agir' book on ISO 20400. ObsAR was instrumental in the development of the NFX 50-135 French standard (2012) and the ISO 20400 international standard (2017).

ObsAR's revenue is generated through four streams: recurring membership fees (organisation-level subscriptions granting access to working groups, barometer full results, document centre, and partner discounts), training programmes (the Jeu des Achats Responsables at €2,000/day for members and €2,500/day for non-members, commercialised via CDAF Formation, plus free e-learning via the Ecolearn partnership), one-time book sales (the '100 questions' guide distributed via AFNOR and FNAC), and event sponsorship/barometer partnerships (Manutan, Aprovall, Zei, Groupe AFNOR as co-funders). The association is governed by a Board of Directors led by Pierre Pelouzet (President) with Annie Sorel and Fanny Benard as Vice Presidents and operates with a lean team of 7 employees, distinguishing it from technology-driven procurement analytics vendors in the French responsible purchasing market.

Name

ObsAR Observatoire des Achats Responsables

Legal name

ObsAR - L'Observatoire des Achats Responsables

Website

https://obsar.asso.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ObsAR is a French non-profit think tank (loi 1901) founded in 2010 that mobilises 60+ member organisations around responsible purchasing through annual benchmarking surveys, working groups, training, and standardisation work on ISO 20400.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Rueil-Malmaison

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Membership fees: Organizations pay annual membership fees to join ObsAR, gaining access to all working groups, the full Barometer results, the document centre (1,300+ documents), a benchmark questionnaire, priority event access, and partner discounts. The member directory and use of the 'adherent a l'ObsAR' mention are included.
2. Training programmes and game-based learning: Revenue is generated through the commercialisation of the Jeu des Achats Responsables (a board-game-based training) via CDAF Formation (2,000 euros per day for members, 2,500 euros for non-members), and e-learning modules via Ecolearn partnership (free for members).
3. Book and publication sales: Revenue is generated from the sale of the book '100 questions pour comprendre et agir - Les achats responsables - mise en oeuvre de l'ISO 20400' via AFNOR and FNAC. The copyright of the work belongs to ObsAR.
4. Event sponsorship and Barometer partnerships: The annual Barometer attracts institutional partners (Manutan, Aprovall, Zei, Groupe Afnor) who co-fund and co-brand the study. ChangeNOW, Produrable, and other conference participations also generate visibility and sponsor relationships.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

ObsAR is a French non-profit think tank association (loi 1901) that operates as a community and knowledge hub for responsible purchasing. Its core offerings include the annual Baromètre des Achats Responsables (a large-scale survey of 550+ organisations conducted with OpinionWay), expert-led thematic Working Groups (GT) on climate, human rights, inclusive purchasing, and ISO 20400 implementation, the Académie ObsAR micro-learning platform, the Jeu des Achats Responsables board-game training, and a publications library including the '100 Questions' book on ISO 20400. Members pay annual dues to access working groups, full Barometer results, and a 1,300+ document resource centre.

Product overview

ObsAR (Observatoire des Achats Responsables) is a non-profit think tank association (loi 1901) founded in 2010, offering a suite of products and services centered on responsible purchasing practices. Its core offerings include the annual Baromètre des Achats Responsables survey conducted with Opinion Way, expert-led Working Groups (GT) covering topics like climate, inclusive purchasing, and human rights, and the Académie ObsAR micro-learning platform. Additional offerings include the Jeu des Achats Responsables gamified training tool and various publications including guides on ISO 20400 implementation. The organization also provides training partnerships through Ecolearn and runs the Programme Achats Circulaires et Solidaires for circular economy integration in purchasing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Baromètre des Achats Responsables Annual large-scale survey and benchmarking report on responsible purchasing practices in France, conducted with OpinionWay. Members receive full results; public syntheses are released via press. Covers ESG, decarbonisation, supply chain due diligence, and maturity of responsible purchasing strategies across private and public organisations.
• Groupes de Travail (Working Groups) Expert-led peer working groups on thematic responsible purchasing topics including Achats et Climat (Purchasing & Climate), Inclusive Purchasing, Human Rights, and Building a Responsible Purchasing Approach. Members co-develop methodologies, share best practices, and contribute to normalisation work.
• Académie ObsAR Self-paced micro-learning platform offering training modules on responsible purchasing topics including due diligence, climate action, and circular purchasing. Free access for ObsAR members via the Ecolearn partnership.
• Jeu des Achats Responsables Half-day gamified board-game training covering 12 responsible purchasing levers through role-play simulation. Designed to acculturate purchasing teams and suppliers. Priced at 2,000 euros/day for ObsAR members and 2,500 euros/day for non-members, delivered via CDAF Formation.
• Publications et Guides (including '100 Questions sur les Achats Responsables') Research publications, methodological guides, white papers, and reference books on responsible purchasing, including the ISO 20400 implementation guide '100 Questions'. Distributed via AFNOR (B2B, with 20% member discount on ISO 20400) and FNAC (paper retail). Members also access a 1,300+ document resource centre.
• Programme Achats Circulaires et Solidaires Structured programme combining self-paced training modules, methodological webinars, peer experience sharing, and working groups, focused on integrating circular economy and social/solidarity economy practices into purchasing. Co-developed with RAPIDD and the French Ministry of Ecological Transition.

Quantifiable outcome

• 77 organisations out of 100 have implemented a responsible purchasing strategy, with 21% having done so for more than 2 years (Barometer 2021).
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered major, minor and core.

• ManutanmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 9 June 2026Manutan was a partner of the Barometre 2026 des Achats Responsables, the 16th annual study by ObsAR in partnership with OpinionWay. Manutan is also a member of ObsAR and co-organises webinars on decarbonation of purchasing.
• AprovallmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 9 June 2026Aprovall was a partner of the Barometre 2026 and co-organised a webinar on ESG supplier engagement (October 2025). Aprovall provides ESG assessment tools and was also a Barometre focus partner on inclusive purchasing.
• ZeiminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 9 June 2026Zei was a partner of the Barometre 2026 des Achats Responsables, contributing to the study on responsible purchasing practices.
• Groupe AfnorcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 June 2026Groupe Afnor (AFNOR) was a partner of the Barometre 2026. Afnor is central to ObsAR's normalisation work (NFX 50-135, ISO 20400). Bruno Frel (AFNOR) is a Board member. AFNOR co-publishes the '100 questions' book and offers ISO 20400 at a 20% discount to members.
• ManutanmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 29 August 2025Manutan co-organised a webinar with ObsAR on decarbonating purchasing strategies, including a 50% emission reduction roadmap, six strategic levers, and circular procurement approaches. Manutan is both a member and a co-organiser of events.
• AGP (Alliance Global Procurement)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 June 2025AGP co-organised multiple Matinales with ObsAR on topics including decarbonation, anti-corruption, and inclusive sourcing. AGP also co-organised a webinar on PCF (Product Carbon Footprint) and carbon trajectory with Decarbo'Solution. Laurence de Rocca-Serra is President of AGP; Vincent Ferreiro is Director General.
• Decarbo'SolutionmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 June 2025Decarbo'Solution co-organised the webinar on carbon data in procurement calls for tenders with AGP and ObsAR. They provide expertise on PCF, carbon trajectory, and carbon reporting (Decarbo'Tender, My-PCF).
• Global Climate Initiatives (GCI)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 June 2025GCI co-organised webinars with ObsAR and AGP on decarbonation of purchasing, including a webinar on the PCF in procurement calls for tenders (October 2025). GCI publishes a guide on decarbonation of purchasing.
• HosmozcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 February 2025ObsAR and Hosmoz partnered on the GT Achats Inclusifs (Inclusive Purchasing Working Group), a cycle of workshops helping organisations structure inclusive purchasing practices. Hosmoz is the initiator of the Observatoire des Achats Inclusifs (now in its 6th edition, conducted with OpinionWay). ObsAR is a partner of this Observatoire alongside Linklusion and the Marche de l'Inclusion.
• Pacte Mondial (UN Global Compact France)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 February 2025ObsAR launched a joint GT Droits Humains (Human Rights Working Group) with Pacte Mondial (UN Global Compact France) to help organisations understand, identify, and act on human rights risks in their supply chains, developing applicable best practices.
• OpinionWaymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024OpinionWay conducts the annual Barometre Achats Responsables in partnership with ObsAR. OpinionWay also conducts the Observatoire des Achats Inclusifs (with Hosmoz and Linklusion) with ObsAR as partner.
• EcolearnmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 June 2023Ecolearn and ObsAR partnered to provide RSE and responsible purchasing e-learning modules to ObsAR members free of charge. Ecolearn also offers the Barometre 2025 des Competences Durables, supported by ObsAR.
• RAPIDD / Ministere de la Transition EcologiqueminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 February 2022ObsAR partnered with RAPIDD (Réseau des acteurs de la purchase innovation et du développement durable) and the Ministry of Ecological Transition to deliver the Programme Achats Circulaires et Solidaires 2022, with webcasts and self-training modules.
• AFNORcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2021AFNOR is a founding partner and normalisation collaborator. ObsAR contributed to the creation of NFX 50-135 (2012) and ISO 20400 (2017) through AFNOR working groups. AFNOR co-publishes the '100 questions' book, hosts the resource centre, and offers the ISO 20400 standard at a 20% discount to members. Bruno Frel (AFNOR) serves as a Board member.
• Alliance High Tech / Laurence de Rocca-SerraminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 September 2019Alliance High Tech, led by Laurence de Rocca-Serra (now President of AGP), hosted the launch of ObsAR's southern antenna (antenne Sud) in Meyreuil on 13 September 2019. AFNOR was also co-presenter with the domain Valbrillant as venue.
• CDAF FormationmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2019CDAF Formation commercialises the Jeu des Achats Responsables (Responsible Purchasing Game), a half-day board game training co-created by ObsAR. Expert trainers are selected by ObsAR. Training costs 2,000 euros/day for members and 2,500 euros/day for non-members. CDAF Formation NDA: 11 94 07038 94.
• CDAF (Compagnie des dirigeants et acheteurs de France)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 January 2010CDAF was founded by Pierre Pelouzet (President of ObsAR, then President of CDAF) along with the Direction des achats de l'Etat (Gérard Brunaud), A2 Consulting (Jacques Schramm), and Mazars (Guy Isimat-Mirin) to create ObsAR. CDAF Formation commercialises the training game. Pierre Pelouzet transitioned from CDAF President to ObsAR President.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Sedex: Global technology platform and membership organisation for supply chain ethics, including labour rights, environmental performance, and business integrity. Comparable to ObsAR's human rights and responsible purchasing remit, but operates as a SaaS/data platform rather than a think tank.
• ADERE: French responsible purchasing advisory and member of ObsAR's ecosystem. Comparable as a French specialist consultancy in responsible purchasing that competes with ObsAR's training and advisory offerings for a portion of mid-market and public-sector buyers.
• EcoVadis: Leading SaaS platform for sustainability ratings of supply chains, including responsible purchasing assessments. Comparable to ObsAR in the responsible-procurement space but commercialises a digital ratings product that ObsAR does not offer; also a Barometer partner ecosystem adjacency via Aprovall.

Broad incumbents

• BSR (Business for Social Responsibility): Global sustainability business network and consultancy that advises large multinationals on sustainable supply chains, human rights, and climate strategy. Comparable to ObsAR in its thought-leadership and working-group approach to responsible purchasing, though at a much larger international scale and with consulting delivery.

Direct peers

• Pacte Mondial France (UN Global Compact France): French network of the UN Global Compact, partnering with ObsAR on the Human Rights Working Group. Directly comparable as a membership-based organisation driving responsible business practice among French enterprises through working groups, tools, and barometer-style surveys.
• ISM (Institute for Supply Management): The largest US-based membership association for supply management professionals, publishing the influential ISM Report on Business. Comparable to ObsAR in its role as a standards, education, and benchmarking body for procurement practitioners.
• CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply): The UK's chartered professional body for procurement and supply, offering membership, training, qualifications, and standards to a global audience. Directly comparable to ObsAR as a membership organisation for procurement professionals, though operating at much larger international scale.
• CDAF (Compagnie des Dirigeants et Acheteurs de France): French professional association of purchasing directors, founded by the same leaders who created ObsAR. Directly comparable as a membership-based body serving French procurement professionals with training, events, and publications; ObsAR's training game is commercialised through its training arm, CDAF Formation.
• Hosmoz: Initiator of the Observatoire des Achats Inclusifs (now in its 6th edition with OpinionWay) and ObsAR's partner on the Inclusive Purchasing Working Group. Directly comparable as a French observatory-style body producing barometer studies on a sub-domain of responsible purchasing.

Others

• AFNOR (Association Française de Normalisation): French national standards body and ObsAR's closest normalisation partner. AFNOR co-publishes the '100 questions' book, hosts the resource centre, and offers ISO 20400 at a 20% member discount. Comparable as a standards/normalisation ecosystem actor though not a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCSpFw5BUjGt4B_BsSvEJv5g
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/obsar-observatoire-des-achats-responsables

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ObsAR Observatoire des Achats Responsables