SSCI Publishes Environmental Benchmark Criteria Consultation Summary
June 18, 2024 /3BL/ - Certifications are a key tool for organisations to use when conducting supply chain due diligence. However, with dozens of standards to choose from, and more emerging each year — all of which approach sustainability differently — it can be difficult for organisations to know which schemes to trust.
The Consumer Goods Forum (CGF)'s Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative (SSCI) benchmarks third-party sustainability auditing, monitoring, and certification standards against industry-developed criteria to provide trusted guidance on which standards cover key sustainability topics and operate responsibly. The SSCI currently operates a social sustainability benchmark and has been working with members since 2022 to expand its scope to environmental sustainability.
Following a four week public consultation, the we are excited to share our response to comments on the draft Environmental Benchmark Criteria across three scopes including Manufacturing & Processing, Primary Production, and Forestry.
We extend our sincere gratitude to all stakeholders who participated in the consultation process. Your insights and feedback have been invaluable in shaping the criteria to ensure they are comprehensive, credible, and effective.
The final environmental benchmark requirements will be published on 20 June 2024. To provide an introduction to these requirements, we will be hosting a webinar with industry experts from 4-5pm CET. We welcome all stakeholders and interested parties to join us for this informative session. Don't miss this opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the updated criteria and how they will impact sustainability standards within our industry.
With the new environmental sustainability benchmark criteria, the SSCI Benchmark will be able to recognise independent environmental sustainability certification, auditing, and monitoring schemes and programmes that meet the industry’s expectations for the kind of sustainability topics standards should cover and how assessments should be carried out.
Similar to the Benchmark’s scope-based approach to social sustainability, the Environmental Benchmark Criteria will apply to schemes and programmes working in the Manufacturing & Processing; Primary Production; and Forestry sectors. The topics covered by the Benchmark Criteria are:
- Environmental Management System
- Compliance, transparency and complaints
- Pollution prevention
- Management of potentially hazardous substances
- Pest Control
- Soil Health
- Energy Use and GHG emissions
- Water Protection
- Waste
- Land use and biodiversity
- Animal welfare (Livestock only)
- Forest practices (Forestry Only)
- Ecodesign
We look forward to your continued engagement and support as we strive to enhance social and environmental sustainability standards.
If you have any questions about the consultation or criteria, please do not hesitate to email us.
