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...
News Update01 Oct 2019Social Sustainability
The CGF and Partners Return to Malaysia and Thailand for Roundtable & Governmental Dialogue on Responsible Recruitment In July 2019, The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) was pleased to return to Malaysia and Thailand to host a regional roundtable and two sets of governmental dialogue sessions in the respective countries. The 2019 series...
News Update02 Dec 2024Human Rights
Human Rights Coalition Strengthening Ethical Recruitment Practices with Malaysian Government On 6-7 November 2024, a pivotal multi-stakeholder roundtable took place in Putrajaya, Malaysia, hosted by the Malaysian Government, to advance ethical recruitment practices and tackle forced labour. The event brought together government representatives from four...
Press Release20 Oct 2022Human Rights
In New Project, Consumer Goods Companies Team Up with Palm Oil Companies to Fight Forced Labour in Malaysia PARIS and KUALA LUMPUR, 20th October 2022 – The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) Human Rights Coalition – Working to End Forced Labour (HRC) has launched its People Positive Palm (P3) Project, designed to drive collaboration...
Blog06 Oct 2023Forest Positive
Sabah Landscape in Malaysia: Building forest and people positive capacity throughout the value chain This impact story is part of a collection of narratives that bring to life some of the complex challenges Forest Positive Coalition members are facing on our forest positive journey and our lessons learned. We’re...
News Update15 Feb 2018Human Rights
CGF Social Sustainability Manager Facilitated Breakout Session at RBA Roundtable on Forced Labour in Penang, Malaysia On February 1st 2018, Social Sustainability Manager Nadia Bunce facilitated a breakout session at the Responsible Business Alliance’s (RBA) “Supply Chain Forced Labour Training and Roundtables” event in Penang, Malaysia. The event brought together suppliers,...
Press Release26 Apr 2024Human Rights
The Consumer Goods Forum and Malaysian Government Unite Leaders to Advance Responsible Recruitment Practices Kuala Lumpur, 25 April 2024 – On the eve of the final adoption of the Corporate Sustainability Directive by the European Union, business, CSOs and policymakers gathered in Kuala Lumpur to discuss the next practical...
Press Release11 Feb 2015
Malaysia to Host Top-Ranked Global Food Safety Conference The Consumer Goods Forum GFSI Global Food Safety Conference 2015 convenes in Kuala Lumpur 3rd – 5th March First time the world’s premium food safety event is hosted in Asia Over 800 global delegates expected...
Video24 Jun 2024Human Rights
Transforming Ethical Recruitment in Malaysian Palm Oil with People Positive Palm Project Explore how the People Positive Palm (P3) Project is reshaping ethical recruitment practices in the Malaysian palm oil industry. Join us as stakeholders discuss their commitment to combatting forced labor through collaborative efforts and regular...
Publication14 Nov 2018Human Rights
Assessing Forced Labor Risks in the Palm Oil Sector in Indonesia and Malaysia
Press Release06 Nov 2018Social Sustainability
The Consumer Goods Forum and Fair Labor Association Call for Greater Collaboration to Tackle Forced Labour Issues in Palm Oil Industry PARIS, 6th November 2018 – Malaysia and Indonesia are leading producers of palm oil, together accounting for 86 percent of global production and employing nearly 3.5 million workers, largely migrants from poorer neighbouring regions and countries.
Blog19 Apr 2023Forest Positive
How Kellogg Company Supports Farmer Livelihoods Kellogg is one of the original plant-based companies. Our founder understood the importance of using quality ingredients and giving back to communities. Naturally, farmers and their workers are at the heart of these ideas. Kellogg’s...
Press Release23 Jun 2021Human Rights
Human Rights Coalition – Working to End Forced Labour Signs Memorandum of Understanding with Fair Labor Association and International Organization for Migration PARIS, 23 June 2021 – The Consumer Goods Forum’s (CGF) Human Rights Coalition – Working to End Forced Labour (HRC) is pleased to announce today it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Fair...
News Update21 Sep 2023Human Rights
Roundtable Insights on Advancing the Responsible Recruitment of Migrant Workers in Southeast Asia KUALA LUMPUR, September 2023 – In collaboration with the Institute for Human Rights and Business, and the Responsible Labor Initiative, an initiative of the Responsible Business Alliance, the Consumer Goods Forum’s (CGF) Human Rights Coalition...
Blog21 Mar 2023Forest Positive
How Businesses Are Creating Landscapes That Are #ForestPositiveForAll As brands and retailers, consumer goods companies rely on forest ecosystems to provide essential commodities, along with the millions of people employed in global supply chains who live and work in forests. However, they are...
News Update21 Jun 2019Human Rights
The CGF and Key Industry Partners Host Roundtable on Responsible Recruitment in Myanmar The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) was pleased to hold the first in the 2019 series of regional roundtables on responsible recruitment in Yangon, Myanmar on 15th May 2019, alongside the Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)‘s Leadership Group for Responsible Recruitment,...
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.
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.
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 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.