News Update01 Jun 2023Human Rights
Human Rights Coalition Welcomes New Co-Chairs from Mondelēz International and Woolworths Group The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) is pleased to announce that Virginie Mahin, Senior Director Global Social Sustainability & Stakeholder Engagement, Mondelēz International, and Rachel Elliott, General Manager Sustainability – Human Rights, Woolworths Group, were elected to the leadership team of the Human Rights Coalition (HRC) as Co-Chairs in April 2023. In their new roles, they […]
News Update30 May 2023Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative
SSCI Launches Stakeholder Consultation on Draft Environmental Benchmark Criteria As part of its efforts to expand its Benchmark to include environmental sustainability, The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative (SSCI) has today opened a stakeholder consultation on its draft Environmental Benchmark Criteria. The SSCI Benchmark currently recognises third-party social sustainability standards, and the SSCI Steering Committee initiated work in 2022 to do […]
Press Release16 May 2023Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative
FSSC 24000 Applies for SSCI Benchmarking PARIS, 16th May 2023 — The Consumer Goods Forum’s (CGF) Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative (SSCI) is pleased to announce it has received an application from Foundation FSSC submitting its FSSC 24000 Social Sustainability Management System Certification Scheme under the SSCI Benchmark’s Processing and Manufacturing scope. The application marks FSSC 24000’s first step in earning SSCI […]
News Update02 May 2023Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative
New SSCI Benchmark Consultation Opens for SIZA The Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative (SSCI) is delighted to announce the opening of a stakeholder consultation for SIZA, the Sustainability Initiative of South Africa, as it advances to the final stages in the SSCI Benchmark process. The SIZA Social Standard February 2020 v.6 is currently being benchmarked under the SSCI’s Manufacturing & Processing and Primary […]
News Update25 Apr 2023Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative
Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative Welcomes New Co-Chairs from MSD Animal Health and European Marketing Distribution The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) is pleased to announce Jessica Meisinger, Global Sustainability Lead, MSD Animal Health, and Elles de Jonge, Manager Quality and Sustainability, European Marketing Distribution (EMD), were elected the new Co-Chairs of the Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative (SSCI) in March 2023. With a mission to build trust in sustainability standards worldwide, the […]
News Update20 Apr 2023Human Rights
CGF Sustainability Director Joins Xplore Sustainability Conference for Dialogue on Future of Due Diligence On 22nd March, The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) Director of Sustainability, Didier Bergeret, joined a panel at Sedex’s Xplore Sustainability Conference to discuss trends in human rights due diligence practices in the consumer goods industry. During a panel entitled, “The future of human rights due diligence is global supply chains,” Didier shared his insights as […]
Press Release19 Apr 2023Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative
Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative Responds to Human Rights at Sea’s 2023 Review of Fisheries and Aquaculture Certification, Standards and Ratings PARIS, 19th April 2023 — The Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative (SSCI) has issued a response to Human Rights at Sea’s (HRAS) 2023 Review of Fisheries and Aquaculture Certification, Standards and Ratings, in which the SSCI was benchmarked alongside 37 certification standards. While the SSCI supports independent efforts to increase transparency around and drive harmonization among […]
Blog30 Mar 2023Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative
Women’s History Month: Introducing the SSCI Environmental Working Group To mark Women’s History Month, the CGF sat down with members of the all-women team of the Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative’s (SSCI) Environmental Working Group (EWG). The EWG is leading the SSCI’s groundbreaking work to develop benchmark criteria for environmental sustainability standards to drive alignment and continuous improvement in the industry. Keep reading to hear […]
Press Release14 Mar 2023Human Rights
Human Rights Coalition Hosts Human Rights Due Diligence Workshop With Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia and Malaysian Palm Oil Suppliers KUALA LUMPUR and PARIS, 14th March 2023 – In collaboration with the Malaysian Ministry of Plantation and Commodities, The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) Human Rights Coalition (HRC) today hosted a practical workshop for Malaysian palm oil companies on best practices for implementing a pragmatic business approach to human rights due diligence (HRDD). The workshop was […]
Press Release14 Feb 2023Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative
Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative Launches Environmental Working Group Chaired by International Fresh Produce Association PARIS, 14th February 2023 – The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative (SSCI) is pleased to present the participants of its newly formed Environmental Working Group (EWG). As the consumer goods industry’s benchmark of choice to help drive trust and harmonisation among sustainability standards worldwide, the SSCI launched its EWG to develop benchmark […]
News Update13 Feb 2023Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative
Organic Certification Expert Luiza Reguse Joins CGF Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative Team The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) has been pleased to welcome a new addition to its Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative (SSCI) team. As the new Senior Manager of the SSCI, Luiza Reguse, a Brazilian native, brings more than five years of experience in supply chain quality management and certification to the CGF and the SSCI. Luiza […]
News Update13 Feb 2023Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative
Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative Updates Benchmark Criteria for the Requirements for the Management of Schemes The Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative (SSCI), a Coalition of Action from The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF), has published version 1.1 of Part II of the SSCI Benchmark Requirements (“Requirement for the Management of Schemes,” or “Scheme Management Criteria”) which define the governance requirements for sustainability standards. The Scheme Management Criteria were updated after the SSCI […]
Podcast31 Jan 2023Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative
Ensuring Sustainable Supply Chains in the Fresh Produce Industry In the first episode of season 4 of The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF)’s Sustainability Podcast Series, the CGF chats with Tamara Muruetagoiena, Director of Sustainability at the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA). IFPA is one of the newest members of the CGF’s Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative (SSCI) — take a listen to hear about IFPA’s choice […]
STANDARD: The BRCGS Global Standard for Ethical Trade & Responsible Sourcing Issue 2 achieved SSCI Recognition under Scope AI — Social Compliance: Manufacturing & Processing in November 2021.
BRCGS is an established global standards leader, with a rigorous GFSI recognised assurance program that touches every aspect of the 21st century supply chain – from food ingredients to packaging, distribution, retail and beyond. It sets the benchmark for best practice manufacturing, helping to provide reassurance that products and services are high quality, legal and safe. BRCGS is recognised across food and non-food categories as the global standard underpinning brand reputation through compliance, at over 30,000 certificated sites in 130 countries. Visit brcgs.com to find out more.
Responsible Fishing Vessel Standard
STANDARD: The Responsible Fishing Vessel Standard 2.1 achieved SSCI Recognition under Scope CI — Social Compliance: At-Sea Operations in November 2022.
In 2018, Global Seafood Assurances and the UK Sea Fish Industry Authority (Seafish) announced a memorandum of understanding to work together to create the next version of the Responsible Fishing Scheme (RFS), committing to expand its global applicability, which resulted in the creation of the Responsible Fishing Vessel Standard. Now part of the Global Seafood Alliance, GSA took ownership of the standards last year. The first RFVS-certified vessel was announced in Australia in January, and the second set of RFVS-certified vessels was announced in the United Kingdom in April. The standard addresses social responsibility, including working conditions and worker voice, about fishing vessels.
STANDARD: The GAA Seafood Processing Standard Issue 5.1 is currently being benchmarked under Scope AI — Social Compliance: Manufacturing & Processing.
A division of the Global Aquaculture Alliance (GAA), Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) is an international certification program based on achievable, science-based and continuously improved performance standards for the entire aquaculture production chain – including processing plants, farms, hatcheries and feed mills. BAP standards cover environmental responsibility, social accountability, food safety and animal welfare. The BAP program is based on independent audits that evaluate compliance with the BAP standards developed by GAA.
Fairness, Integrity, Safety, and Health (FISH) Standard for Crew
STANDARD: FISH Standard for Crew Version 1.0 is currently being benchmarked under Scope CI — Social Compliance: At-Sea Operations.
The Fairness, Integrity, Safety, and Health (FISH) Standard for Crew is a voluntary, third party labour certification program for wild harvest fishing vessels. FISH is designed to provide harvesters a tool to demonstrate to customers and other stakeholders that the seafood harvested comes from responsible sources with respect to crew treatment, compensation, and conditions. It was developed with input from the full seafood supply chain, including large and small harvesters, processors, retailers and restaurant groups, in consultation with labour non-profit organisations, to create a program that is open to vessels and fleets of all sizes around the globe. Read more about the Standard here.
STANDARD: The Florverde standard for the sustainable production of flowers and ornamentals version 7.2.1 is currently being benchmarked under Scope BI – Social Compliance: Primary Production.
Florverde Sustainable Flowers (FSF) is an independent social and environmental standard which ensures that flowers certified under this scheme have been responsibly produced. This requires flower growers to adopt measures that will protect and enable worker’s rights, implement best environmental practices, and comply with national regulations. FSF also helps safeguard quality by requiring the proper care and handling of flowers.
STANDARD: FSSC 24000 Social Management System Certification Version 1.0 is currently being benchmarked under Scope AI — Social Compliance: Processing and Manufacturing.
The aim of FSSC 24000 is to ensure that social sustainability management system requirements are met, resulting in certifications that assure organisations provide safe and fair working conditions, meet business ethics requirements, and apply due diligence in their supply chain management. FSSC 24000 provides a strategic approach incorporating the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle and risk-based thinking, which ensures the identification and control of social risk and continuous improvement. This process demonstrates corporate responsibility and facilitates improving the social management systems and performance thus driving impact.
FSSC 24000’s scope of certification includes the manufacturing and processing sector (food and non-food), including its related service provision. The certificate confirms that the organisation’s social sustainability management system is in conformance with the FSSC 24000 Scheme requirements based on the following normative documents:
BSI/PAS 24000:2022 – Social management system requirements (Publicly Available Specification)
FSSC 24000 Additional Requirements (as determined by the FSSC Board of Stakeholders)
The FSSC 24000 certification scheme is owned and governed by the non-profit Foundation FSSC and outlines the requirements for the audit and certification of a Social Sustainability Management System of an organization. More information on the FSSC 24000 Scheme is available on their website.
STANDARD: The KFC Flowers and Ornamentals Sustainability Standard Version December 2021 is currently being benchmarked under Scopes AI — Social Compliance: Manufacturing & Processing, and BI — Social Compliance: Primary Production.
Kenya Flower Council (KFC) is the country’s leading Business Membership Association for growers and exporters of cut-flower and ornamentals. KFC members account for approximately 80 percent of Kenya’s floricultural exports.
KFC also owns the Flowers and Ornamentals Sustainability Standards (FOSS), a trusted standard worldwide. It is one of only three internationally benchmarked standards that demonstrate sustainable social, environmental and good agricultural business practice benchmarks set by the EU-based Floriculture Sustainability Initiative (FSI). The standard encourages commitment to ethical practices, innovation and promoting equitable trading practices, thus ensuring that certified producers foster sustainable, responsible and safe production of cut flowers and ornamentals.
The Council is in the forefront promoting Kenya as a reliable source of quality cut flowers and ornamentals and the country’s competitiveness in the global floriculture trade. KFC is actively engaged in all major trade negotiations in existing, new and emerging markets and in amplifying Kenya’s image in the international market as the most trusted source of cut flowers and ornamentals.
Currently, Kenya is the third largest producer of cut-flowers and ornamentals in the world and exports to over 60 destinations globally. Floriculture is the fastest growing export sector in the Kenyan economy, providing direct employment for over 200,000 workers.
KFC engages with key actors locally for a favourable business environment for growers and exporters of cut flowers and ornamentals.
STANDARD: The SIZA Social Standard February 2020 v.6 is currently being benchmarked under Scopes AI — Social Compliance: Manufacturing & Processing, and BI — Primary Production.
SIZA, the Sustainability Initiative of South Africa, is enabling the South African agricultural sector to become a global leader in sustainable farming, ethical trade, and environmental stewardship. The aim is to encourage continuous improvement in practices over time. SIZA aims to have a cost effective approach for growers by supplying one standard and one audit no matter which market a producer supplies. SIZA engage directly with stakeholders throughout the value chain to improves supply chain sustainability, ensuring compliance and reducing risks, while at the same time offering support and training with regards to best practices and continuous improvement. Verification occurs via third-party audits. For more information on SIZA, please visit our website: www.siza.co.za
Wine and Agricultural Ethical Trade Association (WIETA)
STANDARD: WIETA Standard Version 4.0 is currently being benchmarked under Scope AI — Social Compliance: Manufacturing & Processing.
The Wine and Agricultural Ethical Trade Association T/A WIETA was the first South African social standard, established in 2002, to establish an appropriate social auditing methodology for fruit and wine suppliers in South Africa. WIETA proudly demonstrates how a multi-stakeholder model can successfully promote a world class ethical trade and human rights programme within the wine value chain. Innovative social dialogue engagements, a rigorous capacity building and training programme for both workers and producers, coupled with a participative multi-pronged approach to auditing and remedial approach to ensure sustained corrective actions.