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Codes and standards

Codes and standards

Transparent, sustainable chains make use of international quality systems and certifiable standards. Some standards target one element, such as working conditions or environment. Other standards focus on quality of the entire management or corporate social responsibility.

FairMatch Support has the knowledge and experience to make the right choice from the ample supply of systems and guidelines. Following are some of the most common systems in alphabetical order. In addition to working with existing systems, FairMatch Support also participates in the development of new management systems for the benefit of sustainable improvement of production.

 

  • The BRC Global Standard was developed by the British Retail Consortium, mainly for the processing food industry. It requires a quality management system with attention for food safety, environmentally-friendly production, traceability and permanent improvement. For most British retailers, it is a condition for supply. As a Business-to-Business standard, BRC is not recognisable for consumers. Site BRC Global Standard
  • Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI) targets to improve working conditions worldwide throughout the chain. The ‘BSCI Code of Conduct’ is based on internationally acknowledged social standards for the protection of employee rights and is applicable for all sectors and all countries. The standard is not visible for consumers. Site BSCI
  • The Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI) is an association of companies, NGOs and trade unions. They encourage the implementation of the ETI Base Code that guarantees proper working conditions in the chain, mainly of products sold in England. Site Ethical Trading Initiative
  • In addition to systems for the benefit of organic production, the originally organic Ecocert certification institution also developed the Ecocert Fair Trade standard for the benefit of fair trade throughout the entire chain. Site Ecocert
  • Fair Trade Standards were developed to grant small producers with access to international markets to improve their living conditions. For certain products, standards were also developed for plantations in order to improve the conditions for employees. In addition to the ‘FLO Cert’ certification and monitoring institution, there is an extensive support network, ‘Fairtrade International’. Certified products can be identified by the quality mark on the packaging. Site FLO Cert and Site Faitrade
  • GlobalGAP, Global Good Agricultural Practice, is a certification system founded by European retailers. Demands concern food safety, sustainability and quality. For most European retailers, certification is a delivery requirement. The objective of GlobalGAP is to become a coordinating standard for food safety throughout the primary sector. As Business-to-Business, GlobalGAP is not identifiable for consumers. Site Global Gap
  • IMO Fair4Life is a certification programme for social responsibility and fair trade throughout the chain, particularly in agricultural, production and trade sectors. The programme completes existing organic certification systems by combining strict standards with local conditions. Site Fair4Life
  • The ‘International Food Safety’ system was developed by German retailers in collaboration with French and Italian retailers. The standard, which mainly focuses on the processing food industry, is intended as a uniform check for the benefit of food safety and quality. It requires a quality management system. IFS is a delivery condition for most German retailers. Site IFS
  • ISO 9001 is an internationally acknowledged standard to optimise processes and is applicable in all sectors. The implementation of ISO 9001 may also result in savings in costs and increased effectiveness. In order to retain the certificate, a company has to continuously improve efficiency and customer satisfaction. It is a ‘Business-to-Business’ standard. Site ISO
  • The system of Rainforest Alliance focuses on sustainable agriculture, preservation of biodiversity and protection of ecosystems. It is available for a number of tropical food products. Certified products can be recognised by a logo. Site Rainforest Alliance
  • In the Netherlands, Skal is the pre-eminent certification organisation for organic production. All organic products traded within the EU must comply with European legislation for organic products. Site Skal
  • The independent organisation Social Accountability International (SAI) has developed SA 8000 and monitors compliance. SA stands for Social Accountability and focuses on proper and fair working conditions throughout the entire production chain. This international ‘Business-to-Business’ standard is available in all sectors. Site SAI
  • SoilAssociation develops and certifies systems for organic production and corporate social responsibility within that sector. This standard is applicable for all possible organic companies worldwide. Site SoilAssociation
  • UTZ CERTIFIED is a certification system for agricultural produce, in particular coffee, cacao and tea. The system is intended for companies that target sustainability and guarantees production taking into account humans and environment. The UTZ logo is visible on the packaging. Site UTZ
  • Legislation in Europe for organic agriculture: website
  • Legislation-system for organic products in the US, the National Organic Program. website
  • Legislation-system for organic products in Japan. website