Press Release20 Jun 2024Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative
Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative Expands to Help Consumer Goods Companies Enhance Environmental Sustainability The Consumer Goods Forum’s Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative (SSCI) expands its scope to include environmental sustainability, helping to build trust, confidence, and clarity in expected standards across vital areas including the impact of farming, forestry...
News Update18 Jun 2024Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative
SSCI Publishes Environmental Benchmark Criteria Consultation Summary Certifications are a key tool for organisations to use when conducting supply chain due diligence. However, with dozens of standards to choose from, and more emerging each year — all of which approach sustainability differently...
News Update12 Mar 2024Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative
SSCI Launches Public Consultation on Environmental Sustainability Benchmark Criteria Certifications are a key tool for organisations to use when conducting supply chain due diligence. However, with dozens of standards to choose from, and more emerging each year — all of which approach sustainability differently...
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...
Blog06 Nov 2023Planet
Environmental Sustainability in Retail: Consistency in Footprint Monitoring and Data Collection Measuring an environmental footprint is crucial and one of the first steps in becoming more sustainable. It helps identify areas for environmental impact reduction, make more future-proof choices, and showcase efforts to produce sustainably to...
Press Release22 Nov 2024Human Rights
Launch of the Converged Human Rights and Environmental Due Diligence Assessment Tool Paris, 22 November 2024 — Members of AIM-Progress and The Consumer Goods Forum Human Rights Coalition, which includes major fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies, are delighted to have partnered with the Fair Labor Association (FLA) and...
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...
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....
Blog30 Oct 2023Sustainable Retail Summit
How Environmental Data Empowers Product Personalization Environmental data, like real-time air quality and pollen insights, is a powerful tool that can be used in product personalization innovations. For retailers across diverse sectors, personalization has become a new frontier in consumer...
Blog06 Jan 2022Corporate
How Can Retailers Create Positive Social and Environmental Impact Through Their Online Communities? The events of the past year have cemented the role of supermarkets as a force for good in local communities. From collection and distribution points for foodbanks, to makeshift vaccination and testing centres, they’ve shown...
Webinar24 Jun 2024Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative
SSCI Webinar – Introducing the Environmental Benchmark As the global demand for sustainable practices continues to grow alongside emerging regulation such as EUDR, ensuring environmental sustainability within various industries has never been more crucial. We are excited to share insights from our...
Blog14 Apr 2015
Returnable Beer Bottles Make a Positive Contribution to SABMiller’s Environmental Sustainability Drive The Returnable Glass Bottle has a Low Environmental Footprint Beer is the only FMCG category where returnable bottles currently dominate. About half of all beer brewed globally is sold in returnable glass bottles....
News Update23 Jan 2024Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative
Recruiting Experts to Perform Environmental Benchmarks for Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative The Consumer Goods Forum is currently seeking to recruit experts to perform benchmarks for the Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative (SSCI). The present call for experts is open for the recruitment of a new Benchmark Leader...
Publication22 Nov 2024Human Rights
The Converged Human Rights & Environmental Due Diligence (HREDD) Assessment Tool And Guidance Manual The Converged HREDD Assessment tool and guidance were developed through AIM-Progress and The Consumer Goods Forum. The tool was originally authored by the Fair Labor Association and piloted and adapted by Proforest. This is a...
News Update23 Sep 2020Food Waste
CGF Environmental Sustainability Director: Food Waste Needs to be “Top of Mind” for CEOs The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) Director of Environmental Sustainability, Ignacio Gavilan, was featured in a recent article published by the HuffingtonPost about innovation and advancements made by the consumer goods industry to tackle the environmental,...
Press Release08 Sep 2021Sustainable Retail Summit
Business Leaders, Sustainability and Health Experts and Environmental Groups Set to Unite at Sustainable Retail Summit to Help Shape Future of Industry PARIS 8th September 2021 — The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) will bring together business leaders alongside sustainability, environmental and health experts at its annual Sustainable Retail Summit on 13th – 14th October, providing a collaborative...
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.
Fairness, Integrity, Safety, and Health (FISH) Standard for Crew
STANDARD: FISH Standard for Crew Version 1.0 achieved SSCI Recognition in March 2025 for 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 achieved SSCI Recognition under Scope BI – Social Compliance: Primary Production in April 2024.
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 6.0 achieved SSCI Recognition under Scope AI — Social Compliance: Processing and Manufacturing in January 2024.
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.
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 SIZA Social Standard Version 6 achieved SSCI Recognition under Scopes AI — Social Compliance: Manufacturing & Processing, and BI — Social Compliance: Primary Production in June 2023.
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 engages directly with stakeholders throughout the value chain to improve supply chain sustainability, ensuring compliance and reducing risks while at the same time offering support and training with regard 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 achieved SSCI recognition under Scope AI — Social Compliance: Manufacturing & Processing, and BI — Social Compliance: Primary Production in January 2025.
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.
Founded in 2003, the amfori BSCI enables companies to drive sustainability by setting up the human rights due diligence principles that business enterprises strive to implement in their global supply chain.
Representing over 2,400 participants in 46 countries, the amfori BSCI operates in a variety of sectors, the two largest being General Merchandise, and Garment & Textile with a combined annual turnover is evaluated to EUR 1.6 trillion.
The amfori BSCI Code of Conduct set out the values and principles for the implementation of supply chain due diligence, based on the OECD’s six-step framework. The amfori BSCI System Manual outlines the supporting tools and methodology for participants to exercise human rights due diligence and environmental protection set out in the amfori BSCI Code of Conduct.
Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association (EHPEA)
STANDARD:The Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association (EHPEA) is currently being benchmarked under Scope BI – Social Compliance: Primary Production.
Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association (EHPEA) is a business membership organisation which was established in 2002. It is an organisation meant to promote the interest of its members who are engaged in the production and export of cut flowers, fruit, vegetables, herbs, cuttings as well as vegetable seeds.
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 MPS-SQ Standard is currently being benchmarked under Scope BI — Social Compliance: Primary Production.
MPS, owned by Stichting MPS, is a leading organisation dedicated to supporting sustainability in the agricultural sector through its trusted certification schemes. The MPS-SQ Standard, introduced in 2002, is designed to ensure that agricultural products are produced under good working conditions. The standard applies to growers and their entire company, addressing key areas such as employee working conditions, health, and safety. It is built on universal human rights, the codes of conduct of local representative organisations, and international agreements of the International Labour Organisation (ILO).
The MPS-SQ Standard also ensures fair treatment for family members working in family-run agricultural operations and sets minimum requirements for working conditions, encouraging compliance with stricter national, local, or international laws to provide the highest level of worker protection. By promoting ethical labour practices, My MPS aims to improve worker safety, health, and well-being while enhancing the image of the agricultural sector. MPS is applying for SSCI’s Scope BI — Social Compliance: Primary Production, reaffirming its commitment to advancing sustainable and responsible practices across the agricultural supply chain.
The Rainforest Alliance Sustainable Agriculture Standard, is designed to deliver more value to the more than four million farmers and workers and thousands of businesses that use Rainforest Alliance certification to drive more sustainable agricultural production and responsible supply chains. The Sustainable Agriculture Standard is used in more than 70 countries around the globe. Their program focuses on coffee, cocoa, tea, bananas, and many other important commodity sectors facing urgent environmental and social challenges.