The SSCI Collaborates With BRCGS To Drive Responsible Procurement Conversations in China

June 24, 2024 /3BL/ - The Consumer Goods Forum's (CGF) Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative (SSCI) participated in a pivotal event hosted by BRCGS in Shanghai, China, on Friday 29 March 2024, aimed at advancing integral global conversations surrounding responsible procurement and due diligence. The event, titled "ETRS - A Rising Ethical Global Standard," showcased collaborative efforts to promote Ethical Trade & Responsible Sourcing (ETRS) in China.

Bringing together key stakeholders including retailers, certification bodies, and industry representatives, the event served as a platform for insightful discussions addressing the unique challenges of the Asian market. With a focus on transparency, speakers from BRCGS, SSCI, and Extensive Standard Technical Services (ESTS) delved into topics such as social compliance audits, global issues, relevant laws and regulations, and solutions offered by the BRCGS ETRS Standard.

One of the highlights of the event was the roundtable discussion featuring prominent representatives from leading organisations, including Stephanie Shu from Starbucks China, Sherlock Jiang from Associated British Foods, Jule Li from COOP Italia China, Jianqiang Huo from Yili Dairy Group, and Iarina Radu and Ray Jin from BRCGS. The interactive session fostered active dialogue, identifying key pain points, addressing existing issues, and generating constructive suggestions.

Diana Wang, the CGF’s China Manager for Sustainability, represented at the event with guests receiving a recorded presentation by the SSCI emphasising the critical importance of transparency in global supply chains.

Diana said about the collaboration, "Harmonisation and transparency is a cornerstone for building sustainable supply chains, particularly in the nuanced landscape of China's industry. Recognising the significance of participating in global dialogues, SSCI values collaboration with partners like BRCGS to foster meaningful change and advocate for responsible sourcing practices worldwide.”

SSCI, inspired by the success of GFSI, offers a robust benchmark for social and environmental programs across various sectors, including national mandatory standards like MSPO. Furthermore, SSCI plays a pivotal role in the forest-positive coalition, incorporating requirements related to deforestation and forest-positive practices.

Looking ahead, SSCI remains committed to expanding its efforts across all regions and sectors, further embedding sustainability into the fabric of global supply chains. With its recognition of the BRCGS Ethical Trade and Responsible Sourcing Standard, SSCI continues to drive meaningful change and collaboration within the industry.

Ray Jin from BRCGS said "At BRCGS, we're thankful for our collaboration with SSCI as we're committed to promoting transparency and ethical sourcing in supply chains. Our ETRS Standard, in partnership with SSCI, provides a robust framework for companies to navigate the complexities of global procurement responsibly."

For more details on the summit proceedings and to access presentation slides and session recordings, please visit the International Sustainability Summit’s website.

About the Consumer Goods Forum’s Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative (SSCI):

The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF) Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative (SSCI) builds trust in sustainability standards worldwide by benchmarking third-party auditing and certification programmes and recognising schemes that meet social and environmental industry sustainability expectations. By providing an open-source list of recognised programmes, the SSCI delivers clear guidance on which schemes cover key sustainability criteria and apply relevant verification practices. The SSCI improves transparency in the market, facilitates decision-making on schemes at both buyer and supplier level, and sets responsible sourcing expectations for the industry. For more information, visit www.tcgfssci.com and sign up to receive our news and updates.