SCS’ Sustainably Grown Certification Program Now ANSI Accredited
EMERYVILLE, Calif., January 3, 2017, /3BL Media/- SCS Global Services (SCS) announced today that its Sustainably Grown Certification program is now accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). In this context, SCS is among the first entities to be recognized by ANSI as an eligible eco-labeling certification scheme owner and standards developer under the internationally recognized requirements and processes of the ISO 14020 and ISO 14024 standards. The accreditation also recognizes the Sustainably Grown program’s compliance with the conformity assessment requirements for third-party certification bodies, as defined by ISO/IEC 17065.
Awarded December 19th, the accreditation is the result of a detailed assessment of the Sustainably Grown program’s processes, policies and procedures. The Sustainably Grown program recognizes agricultural producers who demonstrate leadership in environmental responsibility, and worker and community protection.
The ANSI accreditation is the latest in a series of announcements related to Sustainably Grown, which recently completed the equivalence process for the Global Social Compliance Programme (GSCP) Reference Code and Audit Process and Methodology Reference Tool, representing international best practice in sustainable supply chains and social auditing. Last month, Sustainably Grown was also recognized by the Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH), and its influential Sustainability Initiative Fruit and Vegetables (SIFAV) program.
“Accreditation provides further affirmation of the technical competence and impartiality of SCS’ certification services, and assures that agricultural operations have been inspected in accordance with a program that is independently evaluated by ANSI,” said Lesley Sykes, Sustainability Manager for SCS’s Food and Agriculture Division. “It builds confidence between buyers and suppliers of certified product, and reinforces brand value.”
SCS has been innovating in the field of third-party environmental and sustainability auditing and standards development for decades. The Sustainably Grown program is one of a suite of SCS certification programs designed to assess quality, safety, and environmental aspects of fresh and packaged food products.
About SCS Global Services - SCS has been a global leader in third-party quality, environmental and sustainability verification, certification, auditing, testing, and standards development for more than three decades. Its programs span a cross-section of industries, recognizing achievements in energy, manufacturing, green building, food and agriculture, forestry, and more. SCS is a chartered benefit corporation, reflecting its commitment to socially and environmentally responsible business practices, and a 2016 recipient of the Acterra Business Environmental Award for Sustainability.
