Blog21 Jan 2022Social Sustainability
Resilient Trade Starts with Sustainable Supply Chains This article originally appeared on the OECD Forum Network. We are entering the third year of a global pandemic that has interrupted our lives, both professionally and personally, in unprecedented, unexpected and, in some cases,...
Blog11 Jun 2024Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative
Interview with Luiza Reguse for the Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative Spotlight Series An interview with Luiza Reguse for the GSSI Spotlight Series Passionate about the profound impact of food production on both people’s lives and the environment, Luiza Reguse embarked on her journey in the world...
Press Release27 Jul 2016
The Consumer Goods Forum Strengthens Its Action on Sustainable Supply Chains Through GSCP Integration PARIS, 27th July 2016 – The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) has today announced that the Global Social Compliance Programme (GSCP), a programme dedicated to developing more sustainable supply chains and already hosted by the CGF,...
Blog22 Nov 2021E2E Value Chain
Improving Global Food Supply Chain Operations with Virtual Twin Technology Agribusiness continues to be a major player in the US economy, contributing $1.109 trillion to national GDP in 2019. Global agribusiness revenue is expected to hit $10.2 trillion as the global economy rebounds from the...
Blog21 May 2024Forest Positive
Business Must Ensure Southeast Asia’s Forest Positive Future Supply chains have to be made more sustainable, ethical and reliable Wai-Chan Chan is managing director of The Consumer Goods Forum, a global network of retailers and manufacturers focused on industry standards and driving positive...
Blog25 Jun 2018Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative
Working Together to Build Trust in Sustainable Supply Chains Prioritising sustainability has never been more important. With more people involved in forced labour than at any time in history, and with land area the size of New Zealand being deforested in 2016, business and...
News Update10 Jul 2024Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative
Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative Takes Active Role in Developing Roadmap to Close Living Income Gap The Consumer Goods Forum’s Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative (SSCI) proudly participated in the Living Wage & Living Income Summit, held on 26-27 June 2024 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. This summit organised in partnership by IDH, The...
Press Release19 Oct 2023Forest Positive
Collaboration, transparency and monitoring enabling faster deforestation progress In their 2023 Annual Report, The Consumer Goods Forum’s Forest Positive Coalition showcases remarkable progress in combating deforestation and enhancing transparency across palm oil, soy, paper, pulp, and beef supply chains. With a focus on...
Press Release01 Jul 2020Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative
Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative and Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative Launch Public Consultation on At-Sea Operations Social Benchmarking Criteria PARIS, 1 July 2020 – Marking a significant milestone in a two-year partnership, The Consumer Goods Forum’s (CGF) Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative (SSCI) and the Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative (GSSI) are pleased to launch a...
Press Release05 May 2020Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative
Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative Invites Certification Schemes to Take Part in Benchmarking Process PARIS, 5th May 2020 – The consumer goods industry has extended a formal invitation to third party audit & certification schemes to undergo the Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative’s (SSCI) Benchmarking Process. This call to action follows the...
Press Release30 Oct 2019Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative
The Consumer Goods Forum Marks the Official Launch of its Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative PARIS, 30th October 2019 – The Consumer Goods Forum’s Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative (SSCI) has today published its first set of benchmark criteria to support the development of responsible supply chains around the world.
Press Release20 Mar 2024Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative
Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative Launches Technical Committee with Ahold Delhaize, EMD and Taylor Fresh Foods PARIS, 20 March 2024 – The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative (SSCI) is pleased to present the participants of its newly formed Technical Committee.
Press Release25 Apr 2018Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative
The Consumer Goods Forum Announces New Benchmarking and Recognition Initiative for Sustainability Standards PARIS, 25th April 2018 – To help meet the needs of our members, and to support the development of socially and environmentally responsible supply chains around the world, the Board of The Consumer Goods Forum...
Blog12 Aug 2020Product Data
Overcoming the Barriers to Supply Chain Transparency in Soy Soy is one of the world’s most important crops, finding its way into animal feed, vegetable oil, even industrial chemicals. It is one of the most intensively grown: worldwide 1 in 10 acres of agricultural...
Press Release21 Nov 2023Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative
Rainforest Alliance Applies for SSCI Benchmarking PARIS, 21 November 2023 — The Consumer Goods Forum’s (CGF) Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative (SSCI) is pleased to announce it has received an application from Rainforest Alliance submitting its Sustainable Agriculture Standard for the SSCI Benchmarking...
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...
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.