Sandra Pringle

Sandra Pringle is a distinguished Company Director at Rata Professional Services, a leading firm dedicated to promoting ethical business sustainability in New Zealand. With a robust background in developing sustainable practices and certifications, Sandra has become a pivotal figure in advancing ethical standards across various industries. Rata Professional Services specializes in employee training, supply chain evaluations, audits, and certification programs, aiming to make sustainability and ethical behavior mainstream.

Sandra’s professional journey began with a significant milestone at CatzDesign Ltd., where she and her team achieved the Enviro-Mark Diamond certification—the highest level of environmental certification—in just seven months. This accomplishment highlighted her dedication to ethical business practices and laid the foundation for her subsequent venture, Rata Professional Services. Sandra’s vision was to create a home-grown ethical sustainability program tailored specifically for New Zealand businesses, drawing from her experience and success in the field.

With a commitment to transparency and genuine ethical behavior, Sandra’s firm offers comprehensive services to ensure that businesses meet their sustainability claims. Rata Professional Services excels in auditing supply chains to provide independent proof of ethical practices, helping companies manage their operations with factual accuracy rather than assumptions. This approach is crucial for fostering a culture that values people, respects customers and suppliers, and reaps the benefits of genuine business ethics.

One of Sandra’s notable achievements is the development and successful launch of the Rata Sustainable Certification Programme, which has become a key tool for New Zealand businesses aiming to prove their commitment to sustainability. Additionally, her firm has introduced the Rata Ethical Business Alliance (REBA) certification program, further enhancing the firm’s impact in the realm of ethical business practices.

Sandra has witnessed the evolution of the industry, noting both progress and challenges. While Rata has successfully helped numerous New Zealand importers and exporters embed sustainability into their organizations, she acknowledges that progress has been slow. Many New Zealand businesses still view sustainability primarily through an environmental lens, overlooking its broader implications. Current challenges include misleading marketing claims, a lack of supply chain transparency, and the negative impacts of greenwashing on brand reputation.

Looking ahead, Sandra anticipates a shift towards more stringent global sustainability reporting requirements. By 2025, New Zealand companies will need to align with international directives such as the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and the European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). These regulations will demand greater transparency and accountability, influencing how businesses operate and report their sustainability efforts.

Sandra is particularly excited about the potential for new technologies and trends, including the rising demand for Full Product Transparency (FPT) and stricter global sustainability reporting standards. These developments are expected to drive further ethical behavior and reduce instances of greenwashing, ultimately supporting New Zealand’s global reputation and export growth.

For those starting in the industry, Sandra advises focusing on the core values of ethics and people. She emphasizes the importance of crafting a sustainable workplace culture that champions employee well-being and verifies marketing claims about ethical practices. Knowledge and validation are crucial for business growth and credibility.

Outside of her professional endeavors, Sandra enjoys spending time with family, attending live music concerts, gardening, and traveling. Her role models include influential figures like Warren Buffett and Frans Timmerman, who inspire her commitment to making a positive impact in the field of business sustainability. Through her work at Rata Professional Services, Sandra Pringle continues to drive meaningful change, fostering a culture of transparency and ethical business practices in New Zealand and beyond.