EHPEA Applies for SSCI Benchmarking

PARIS, September 26, 2024 /3BL/ - The Consumer Goods Forum's (CGF) Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative (SSCI) is pleased to announce that the Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporter Association (EHPEA) has submitted its Code of Practice for Sustainable Flower Production application for the SSCI benchmarking.

This marks a significant milestone for EHPEA as it seeks SSCI Recognition, demonstrating its alignment with industry expectations for third-party social compliance programs within the SSCI’s Primary Production scope for social sustainability.

To date, the SSCI has recognised five schemes, and EHPEA joins five additional schemes currently in progress for recognition. Through this benchmarking process, SSCI continues its commitment to building trust in sustainability standards by recognising programmes that uphold key criteria set by leading industry stakeholders.

Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association (EHPEA) is a business membership organisation which was established in 2002. It is an organisation meant to promote the interest of its members who are engaged in the production and export of cut flowers, fruit, vegetables, herbs, cuttings as well as vegetable seeds.

Currently, EHPEA has 126 members and it has been relentlessly contributing to the horticulture industry boom in Ethiopia and effectively representing the interests of its members locally and globally.

The Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association Code of Practice is the result of an initiative taken by the sector to introduce a voluntary system of continuous professional and technical development, monitoring and self-regulation into the sector and is designed to address market and civil society concerns about standards for social and environmental performance in the sector and also to guide the sustainable development of the sector.

It consists of three levels of excellence allowing Ethiopian flower and ornamental plant farms to be rewarded at each stage of their process towards developing more sustainable management practices within the chain. Each level will be recognised by EHPEA through a certificate.

Mr. Tewodros Zewdie, Executive Director of EHPEA, said, “The Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association (EHPEA) has emphasized the significance of the SSCI Benchmark as a rigorous process designed to uphold sustainability standards. The benchmark involves self-assessments, independent expert reviews, audits, and public consultations, ensuring a high level of transparency and accountability. By adhering to these global standards, EHPEA seeks to enhance the international credibility of Ethiopian horticultural products while promoting sustainable practices across the industry”

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.

At the SSCI, we welcome this positive step from EHPEA 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 https://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