CGF Seeks Further Engagement from Global Membership in Order to Meet 2020 Zero Net Deforestation Resolution

CGF Publishes 2nd Edition of the Sustainable Soy Sourcing Guidelines and First Calculation Guidelines for the Measurement of Embedded Soy Usage in Consumer Goods

PARIS, 23rd May 2016 – The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) has today published two documents designed to further help members address the need to source soy sustainably and move one step closer to meeting the 2020 Zero Net Deforestation Resolution. Members of the CGF’s Sustainability Pillar acknowledge more needs to be done if the industry is to meet this commitment and calls on the CGF’s global membership to begin sourcing soy sustainably and help develop global supply chains that can have a positive impact on both people and the planet.

The first of these two documents is the 2nd Edition of the Sustainable Soy Sourcing Guidelines. First published in 2014, the Guidelines are intended to assist companies in the development of their own policies for effectively sourcing soy. The new edition reflects current market developments and includes additional input from a variety of stakeholders from outside the consumer goods industry.

The new Guidelines also offer a step-wise approach to make implementation more accessible to all companies. This approach includes: 

  • A ‘Twin track’ that helps companies to address illegal deforestation while building capacity to achieve zero net deforestation;

  • Tiered verification options to reflect different supply chain shapes; and

  • Concrete approaches to transparency. 

The second document supports the 2015 Soy Measurement Framework (Soy Ladder). The Calculation Guidelines for the Measurement of Embedded Soy Usage in Consumer Goods, developed with the support of KPMG, will help guide companies in their application of the principles set out in the Soy Ladder. It has been primarily written for in-house teams who wish to explore the options for calculating soy consumption. By calculating its soy footprint, a business is able to make informed decisions about sourcing soy and target the most material impacts and highest risk areas. 

Hugo Byrnes, VP Product Integrity at Royal Ahold and lead of the Sustainability Pillar’s Soy Working Group said, “The ongoing development of tools that support members to source soy sustainably is key if we want to meet the 2020 deforestation commitment. The CGF provides a platform where retailers and manufacturers can come together to discuss challenges and share best practices. In addition, with these sourcing and calculation guidelines, we are now also able to actually offer members the tools to help them source soy sustainably and take action”.

The Consumer Goods Forum will continue to work with its members as it looks to drive implementation of the 2010-approved Zero Net Deforestation Resolution. While much has been achieved in the last six years, much more needs to be achieved over the next four years if the consumer goods industry is to achieve zero net deforestation by 2020. 

Members who are not currently engaged in the CGF’s environmental sustainability work are encouraged to do so at www.tcgfsustainability.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 2.5 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 50 manufacturer and retailer CEOs. For more information, please visit: www.theconsumergoodsforum.com.