The Consumer Goods Forum’s (CGF) Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative (SSCI) is pleased to announce it has received its first benchmarking application from the Global Aquaculture Alliance (GAA) Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP). As the first scheme to apply for SSCI benchmarking, BAP demonstrates leadership in the effort to create alignment among sustainability standards worldwide.

The application is BAP’s first step in earning SSCI recognition as meeting industry expectations for third-party social compliance programmes under the SSCI’s Manufacturing & Processing scope. 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. 

A division of the GAA, BAP is an international certification programme based on achievable, science-based and continuously improved performance standards for the entire aquaculture production chain – including processing plants, farms, hatcheries and feed mills. BAP standards cover environmental responsibility, social accountability, food safety and animal welfare. The BAP programme is based on independent audits that evaluate compliance with the BAP standards developed by the GAA. The GAA Seafood Processing Standard has also been benchmarked by the CGF’s Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI). 

“GAA has embraced benchmarking exercises such as the Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative since their inception. They help level the playing field for seafood sustainability claims,” said GAA CEO Wally Stevens. “Social responsibility has long been a pillar of the industry-leading BAP third-party certification programme, along with environmental responsibility, food safety, and animal health and welfare. We look forward to the outcome of the SSCI evaluation process”.

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 BAP 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 the SSCI website.

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. For more information about the SSCI, please visit www.tcgfssci.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 55 manufacturer and retailer CEOs. For more information, please visit: www.theconsumergoodsforum.com. 

Contact 

Thomas van Haaren
Senior Manager, SSCI
ssci@theconsumergoodsforum.com 

Madelaine VanDerHeyden
Communications, SSCI
m.vanderheyden@theconsumergoodsforum.com

The Consumer Goods Forum

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, please visit: www.theconsumergoodsforum.com.

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