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Search PARIS, 7 September 2020 – The Consumer Goods Forum’s (CGF) Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative (SSCI) is pleased to announce it has received a benchmark application from the BRCGS, the first step in recognising the BRCGS as meeting industry expectations for third-party social compliance programmes. BRCGS is the second scheme to apply for SSCI benchmarking. The SSCI is committed to building trust in the consumer goods industry by recognising programmes that respect key sustainability criteria, as defined by leading industry stakeholders, in their evaluation methods.
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.
Mark Procter, CEO of BRCGS, said: “We are delighted to be working towards SSCI benchmarking to provide global recognition of our Ethical Trading and Responsible Sourcing Program. We bring our existing strengths across standards development and certification to deliver the only Ethical programme to be covered by ISO/IEC 17021 accreditation, that gives consumers the reassurance they seek, and workers the protection they deserve.”
SSCI benchmarking is a comprehensive process that delivers clear guidance on which schemes cover key sustainability criteria and apply relevant verification practices. All schemes must submit an application form for benchmarking to officially apply. The process then begins with a Self-Assessment undertaken by the scheme, followed by a review by an independent expert, a public consultation and office visits. The methodology also includes opportunities for the applicant to take corrective action if and when needed. The benchmark is based on a first set of criteria defined by the SSCI and industry stakeholders in October 2019, and currently focuses on social sustainability and scheme management.
The SSCI welcomes this positive step from the BRCGS and looks forward to reviewing its alignment towards industry values on transparency, social responsibility and sustainability. To monitor the process of its evaluation, and other schemes undergoing benchmarking, visit recognition.tcgfssci.com.
Learn More and Apply
Third-party auditing and monitoring schemes and programmes are invited to apply for SSCI recognition and demonstrate their commitment to industry-defined expectations for social responsibility. To receive the SSCI application materials and begin the benchmarking process, please contact the SSCI team at ssci@theconsumergoodsforum.com
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About The Consumer Goods Forum
The Consumer Goods Forum (“CGF”) is a global, parity-based industry network that is driven by its members to encourage the global adoption of practices and standards that serves the consumer goods industry worldwide. It brings together the CEOs and senior management of some 400 retailers, manufacturers, service providers, and other stakeholders across 70 countries, and it reflects the diversity of the industry in geography, size, product category and format. Its member companies have combined sales of EUR 3.5 trillion and directly employ nearly 10 million people, with a further 90 million related jobs estimated along the value chain. It is governed by its Board of Directors, which comprises more than 50 manufacturer and retailer CEOs. For more information, please visit: www.theconsumergoodsforum.com.
For further information, please contact:
Thomas van Haaren
Senior Manager, SSCI
The Consumer Goods Forum
ssci@theconsumergoodsforum.com
Madelaine VanDerHeyden
Communications Officer
The Consumer Goods Forum
m.vanderheyden@theconsumergoodsforum.com
