SSCI KFC Application

PARIS, June 29, 2021 /3BL Media/ - The Consumer Goods Forum’s (CGF) Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative (SSCI) has received a benchmarking application from the Kenya Flower Council (KFC), the programme’s first step in earning SSCI recognition as meeting industry expectations for third-party social compliance programmes under the SSCI’s Primary Production scope. KFC is the first scheme to apply under this new scope, which was launched in May 2021. The SSCI is committed to building trust in sustainability standards by recognising programmes that respect key sustainability criteria, as defined by leading industry stakeholders, in their evaluation methods. 

Kenya Flower Council (KFC) is the country’s leading Business Membership Association for growers and exporters of cut-flower and ornamentals. KFC also owns the Flowers and Ornamentals Sustainability Standards (FOSS), a trusted standard worldwide.  The Council is in the forefront promoting Kenya as a reliable source of quality cut flowers and ornamentals and the country’s competitiveness in the global floriculture trade. KFC is actively engaged in all major trade negotiations in existing, new and emerging markets and in amplifying Kenya’s image in the international market as the most trusted source of cut flowers and ornamentals. Additionally, KFC engages with key actors locally for a favourable business environment for growers and exporters of cut flowers and ornamentals. 

Clement Tulezi, Chief Executive Officer, Kenya Flower Council, said, “KFC is fully committed to apply and comply with the Certification Scheme Quality System Regulations; based on ISO/IEC 17065, Conformity assessment – requirements for Bodies Certifying Products, processes and services covering the production and export processes of flowers and ornamentals; and its implementation ensures that audits and the entire certification process are carried out with impartiality, objectivity, confidentiality, and efficiently.  Application of the Quality System also ensures that only deserving producers are awarded the certificates applied for. We are devoted to providing continued improvement in service delivery to registered producers.”

The SSCI Benchmark is a comprehensive process that recognises which schemes cover key sustainability criteria and apply relevant verification practices. The process revolves around a first self-assessment undertaken by the scheme, followed by a review by an independent expert, office visits, and a public consultation. The methodology also includes opportunities for the applicant to take corrective actions if and when needed. 

The SSCI Benchmark is based on the SSCI Social and Scheme Management Criteria, which cover the industry’s expectations for sustainability and were defined by the SSCI Coalition member companies, industry experts, and other stakeholders. Following the launch of the SSCI’s Manufacturing and Processing scope in 2019, the SSCI opened the SSCI Benchmark to the agriculture, aquaculture, and seafood sectors with the publication of Social and Scheme Management Criteria adapted for its new Primary Production and At-Sea Operations scopes. This work was developed in collaboration with the Global Sustainable Seafood Initiative (GSSI).

At the SSCI, we welcome this positive step from KFC and look 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 the benchmarking, visit recognition.tcgfssci.com.

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. Learn more about the SSCI Benchmark and download the application kits at benchmark.tcgfssci.com. 

For more information about the SSCI, please visit www.tcgfssci.com or contact the SSCI team at ssci@theconsumergoodsforum.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