The Global Aquaculture Alliance’s Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) certification program has submitted an application to The Consumer Goods Forum’s (CGF) Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative (SSCI), the first step in receiving SSCI recognition.
The SSCI was launched by the CGF in April 2018 to recognise third-party auditing programs that meet industry expectations on social sustainability and, in the future, environmental sustainability. The SSCI replaces the CGF’s Global Social Compliance Programme and was created by replicating the approach taken by the CGF’s Global Food Safety Initiative. BAP is the first certification program to apply.
“GAA has embraced benchmarking exercises such as the Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative since their inception,” said GAA chief executive, Wally Stevens. “They help level the playing field for seafood sustainability claims. Social responsibility has long been a pillar of the industry-leading BAP third-party certification program, along with environmental responsibility, food safety, and animal health and welfare.”
The process begins with a self-assessment, 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.
In December 2017, BAP successfully completed the GSCP Equivalence Process, becoming the world’s first third-party aquaculture certification program to do so and in October 2017, BAP became the world’s first aquaculture certification program to be recognised by the Global Sustainable Seafood initiative.
