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...
News Update30 Mar 2018Human Rights
The CGF and IHRB held Roundtables & Governmental Business Dialogue on Responsible Recruitment in SE Asia The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF), and the Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)‘s Leadership Group for Responsible Recruitment were pleased to hold two regional roundtables on responsible recruitment in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 20th March 2018 and in Bangkok, Thailand,...
News Update28 Jun 2018Social Sustainability
CGF Hosts Global Forum on Responsible Recruitment and Employment with IHRB in Singapore The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) and the Institute for Human Rights and Business, alongside key partners, teamed up to host the 2018 Global Forum on Responsible Recruitment & Employment on 11th and 12th June in...
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,...
Press Release27 Oct 2022Human Rights
Consumer Goods Companies Release Practical Guidance on Repayment of Worker-Paid Recruitment Fees PARIS and AMSTERDAM, 27th October 2022 – The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) Human Rights Coalition – Working to End Forced Labour (HRC), in partnership with AIM-Progress, has today released new “Guidance on the Repayment of...
News Update27 Feb 2018Human Rights
CGF Social Sustainability Team and IHRB to Hold Regional Roundtables on Responsible Recruitment in SE Asia The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF), and the Institute for Human Rights and Business (IHRB)‘s Leadership Group for Responsible Recruitment are pleased to be holding two regional roundtables on responsible recruitment in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on March 20th, 2018 and...
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,...
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 Update13 Jun 2023Social Sustainability
HRC and AIM-Progress Host Webinar on the Repayment of Worker-Paid Recruitment Fees with Case Studies From Top Glove and Sime Darby On 22nd May, The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) Human Rights Coalition (HRC) hosted a webinar in collaboration with its partner, AIM-Progress, on practical examples of how businesses can repay Worker-paid recruitment fees. The webinar was...
Blog07 Oct 2020Human Rights
Upholding Responsible Recruitment is Key to Maintain Resilient Supply Chains Throughout the Covid-19 Pandemic and Beyond When the global Covid-19 pandemic was confirmed by the World Health Organization (WHO) on 11 March 2020, most of us did not anticipate the scale of change on its way. Its structural impact on society,...
News Update09 Nov 2020Human Rights
Social Sustainability Manager Speaks at Virtual India and Sustainability Standards International Dialogues & Conference On 29th October, CGF Social Sustainability Manager Nadia Bunce joined a virtual discussion at the annual India and Sustainability Standards International Dialogues and Conference for a panel titled, “Responsible Recruitment: A Post Covid-19 Agenda Across...
Press Release12 Jun 2018Human Rights
Global Business Leaders Call for Accelerated Action Against Forced Labour and Unethical Recruitment PARIS and SINGAPORE, 12th June 2018 – The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) has today called on businesses around the world to play their part in the fight to end all forms of forced labour. Issued...
Press Release11 Jan 2023Human Rights
Advancing Due Diligence and Responsible Recruitment to Respect Human Rights: The Consumer Goods Forum and AIM-Progress Announce Renewed Collaboration PARIS and BRUSSELS, 11th January 2023 — The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) Human Rights Coalition (HRC) and AIM-Progress are excited to announce they have reaffirmed their commitment to collaboratively address human rights challenges in the...
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...
Podcast26 Sep 2019Human Rights
Forced Labour, Responsible Recruitment and the Role of Advocacy: Part 2 Podcast host Louise Chester continues the conversation with Frances House, Deputy Chief Executive of the Institute for Human Rights and Business , who speaks about the topics of forced labour, responsible recruitment, the importance of...
News Update21 Jun 2018Human Rights
“ENSLAVED”, A Visual Story of Modern Slavery, by Lisa Kristine, On Show at the Global Forum on Responsible Recruitment and Employment At the Global Forum on Responsible Recruitment and Employment, co-hosts The Consumer Goods Forum and The Institute for Human Rights and Business had the privilege of hosting photographer Lisa Kristine’s acclaimed exhibition, “ENSLAVED”, a visual...
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 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 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
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.
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.
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.