Aluminium Stewardship Initiative Applies for SSCI Benchmarking

PARIS, May 5, 2021 /3BL Media/ — The Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative (SSCI) has received a benchmark application under the SSCI’s Manufacturing and Processing scope from the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI), the first step in awarding it SSCI recognition as meeting industry expectations for third-party social compliance programmes. 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.

The Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) is a global, multi-stakeholder, non-profit standards setting and certification organisation. It works toward responsible production, sourcing and stewardship of aluminium following an entire value chain approach. To this end, ASI launched its Performance Standard and Chain of Custody Standard in December 2017. ASI’s 160+ members include leading civil society organisations, companies with activities in bauxite mining, alumina refining, aluminium smelting, semi-fabrication, product and component manufacturing, as well as consumer and commercial goods, including the automotive industry, construction and packaging, as well as industry associations and other supporters.

Marieke van der Mijn, ASI’s Director of Impacts and Partnerships, said: “ASI is excited to begin the SSCI benchmarking process by submitting our application to become a SSCI-recognised scheme. External recognition of ASI by initiatives such as the SSCI is an important way for us to demonstrate to a broad stakeholder base the relevance and efficacy of the ASI Standards to address key environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues. We expect that the recognition of ASI by SSCI will support our work to increase the awareness and uptake of ASI certification in a range of downstream sectors. Harmonisation with relevant external standards and schemes is also an important part of ASI's collaboration activities in order to reduce unnecessary duplication and inform our learning and continual improvement.” 

SSCI benchmarking is a comprehensive process that delivers clear guidance on 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 benchmark is based on the Manufacturing and Processing Social and Scheme Management Criteria defined by the SSCI and industry stakeholders in October 2019, and currently focuses on social sustainability and scheme management.

At the SSCI, we welcome this positive step from the ASI 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 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. 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 Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative

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 industry 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 the responsible sourcing expectations for the industry. The Initiative initially focuses on social compliance with the potential to expand the scope to environmental compliance. For more information, visit www.tcgfssci.com.

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 50 manufacturer and retailer CEOs. For more information, please visit: www.theconsumergoodsforum.com.

For further information, please contact:

Thomas van Haaren
Senior Manager, SSCI
The Consumer Goods Forum
ssci@theconsumergoodsforum.com

Madelaine VanDerHeyden
Communications Officer
The Consumer Goods Forum
m.vanderheyden@theconsumergoodsforum.com