News

Diversity in management system assessments

– 5th Jan 2009

John Symonds describes how ExxonMobil developed a diverse assessment structure for its management system that led to value-added benefits.

ACCA UK announces the winners of the ACCA Sustainability Reporting Awards 2008

– 5th Jan 2009

Winning companies were presented with their trophies at the ACCA Sustainability Reporting Awards 2008 ceremony on 3 December 2008.

Credit Crunch Supply Chain Predictions

– 18th Dec 2008 by Alex Briggs

i2 Technologies has published their economic downturn supply chain predictions:

1. SaaS and other engagement models will dominate in 2009
Software as a service (SaaS) and other engagement models will dominate the market in 2009 as companies seek to focus technology budgets on gaining a competitive advantage quickly without additional infrastructure. Outcome-based service engagements will be encoded into contracts in 2009 utilizing a managed business process services approach.
2. Risk becomes real and so does risk management

German Corporate Partnership sets out to answer, “What does sustainable production actually mean?”

– 8th Dec 2008 by Alex Briggs

This Food and Drink Europe article talks about the new set of criteria and standards for sustainable fruit and veg production that BASF Corporation is developing for German supermarket chain Rewe. Named Crop Protection, the new standards aim to give sustainability assurances throughout the food chain, right through to consumers.

How do you manage your business through a fuel crisis?

– 5th Dec 2008 by Raz Chaudary

This UK Cabinet Office guidance document written by the department of Energy and Climate Change is intended to assist organisations in the public, private and voluntary sectors in planning for and managing the consequences of a disruption to fuel supplies.

New EU legislation on climate and energy finalised tomorrow

– 3rd Dec 2008

The Guardian reports that, tomorrow Ed Miliband, secretary of state for energy and climate change, will meet with ministers in Brussels to finalise new EU legislation on climate and energy.

Green supply chain, shouldn’t everybody have one?

– 3rd Dec 2008

A recent article on Manufacturing & Logistics IT website talks about the rapidly rising energy costs and environmental concerns have driven ‘green’ issues ever higher on the business agenda.

UK Supermarkets seek alternative suppliers

– 28th Nov 2008 by Alex Briggs

Asda, J Sainsbury and Wm Morrison, three of the big four UK supermarkets, were forced to find alternative supply deals - either through other third parties or direct from music makers and publishers - as supply dried from Woolworths’ distribution business, which was put into administration on Thursday night alongside the 800-strong store chain.
This article highlights the delicate state of supermarket supply chains in the crucial run up to Christmas.

What’s the link between a pandemic, energy, and the global just-in-time supply chain?

– 25th Nov 2008 by Raz Chaudary

According to a report by the Center for Infectious Disease Research & Policy (CIDRAP), a scenario is outlined where a pandemic disrupts the supply chain for coal, providing electricity and a critical element to support public health and organizational continuity.

The report suggests the next pandemic is likely to impact the global just-in time economy and will seriously compromise the public health response. The unavailability of skilled manpower will be unable to meet the surge of demand and ultimately restrict international and domestic travel/trade agreements.

72% of Americans want changes to produce safety activities

– 18th Nov 2008 by Alex Briggs

72% of Americans want the federal government to establish new safety standards for the growing, harvesting, processing and distribution of fresh fruits and vegetables even if they increase costs, according to a national survey commissioned by the Produce Safety Project (PSP).
“Consumers don’t want the produce section of their grocery stores to be casinos where they roll the dice on their family’s health and safety,” said Jim O’Hara, PSP director.

The Seven Steps To Successful Business Continuity Communications

– 15th Nov 2008 by Raz Chaudary

To successfully communicate with relevant parties during critical events, organizations need a system that can enhance their preparedness and contribute to the overall security of human, physical, and information assets.

This special report by the Varolii Corporation provides an overview of common steps organizations are taking in order to connect, protect, and account for their people, while enabling response teams and decision makers to coordinate a successful recovery and help protect assets and infrastructure—even such things as supply chain and key customer relationships.

TNT cites ISO 14001 as key to Environmental Performance

– 12th Nov 2008 by Alex Briggs

TNT cites ISO 14001 as key to Environmental Performance TNT UK/Ireland and their use of ISO 14001 as the key to their overall environmental strategy was the focus of a Sustainable Business Magazine article in the October edition.
TNT uses management systems to underpin their business, currently holding four certifications in the UK/Ireland: ISO 9001 (Quality Management Systems), ISO 14001 (Environmental Management Systems) OHSAS 18001 (Occupational Health and Safety Management System) and Investors in People. TNT has reported significant competitive advantage from the achievement of verifiable environmental performance.

Neil Griffiths, director of health, safety and environment at TNT Express Services says: “In terms of business assurance, this is not just a tick in the box.”

Ethical Supply Chain Video Podcast Series Episode 2, Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) Interview

– 11th Nov 2008 by Alex Briggs

Frances Way, Supply Chain Project Director for the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), talked to us about the CDP’s Supply Chain Project. This is the second episode in a four part series. The interviews for this video podcast series were conducted at the Ethical Supply Chain Summit in Berlin.
Frances shared some of the key supplier insights that the CDP have gathered in their work with the world’s leading global brands, as well as the role that verification plays in the data that the CDP collect on global supply chains.
The video can also be found here via link.

ISO standards contribute to meeting World Food Day 2008 challenge

– 6th Nov 2008

World Food Day 2008 addresses what has been categorised by many as one of the greatest challenges of our time: climate change and its impact on food security.

What Price would you pay for green logistics?

– 6th Nov 2008

A new 3PL Logistics study says ‘green’ supply chains are essential for future business success yet the majority of logistics executives are unwilling to spend the money to make it happen.

World’s best CSR companies? Think again

– 29th Oct 2008 by Alex Briggs

This Salter-Baxter report on the world’s leading CSR reporting companies has led to increasing debate. With companies such as British-American Tobacco, Nestle and Shell at the top of the rankings, controversy is the order of the day.

Sir Jonathon Porritt, the chairman of the government’s Sustainable Development Commission, and founder of Forum for the Future, led the attack on the report,

When any company is systematically mispricing risks and systematically misallocating capital it makes no sense to talk about corporate responsibility. We’re going to have to face the fact some of the measures used to judge relative CSR performance are useless. They don’t help shareholders. They don’t help citizens. They don’t help the companies themselves.

AA1000 Assurance Standard launched

– 27th Oct 2008

AA1000 AS is an international sustainability assurance standard that can be linked to other dominant business audit and assurance standards. Sustainability assurance provides a comprehensive way of holding an organisation to account for its management, performance and reporting on sustainability issues.

Milk Scandal Spills over to Food Safety and Consumer Trust

– 14th Oct 2008 by Alex Briggs

This New York Times Media Group article raises the question “Is there more tainted food out there?”

The melamine scandal has heightened fears that the food business is racing ahead of the ability of governments to detect health-threatening contamination, whether accidental or deliberate.

A step forward in the development of sustainability assurance

– 13th Oct 2008

The global launch of AccountAbility’s AA1000 Assurance Standard (AA1000AS) 2008 will take place next week in London and be followed by numerous regional and country level launches beginning November 2008.
The new AA1000AS (2008) marks a step forward in the development of sustainability assurance. As these issues become increasingly important for businesses and their stakeholders a [...]

Business Continuity Success… Action Dependant

– 9th Oct 2008 by Raz Chaudary

According to a Stratus Technologies survey, twenty percent of organizations with business continuity plans have no idea if they will actually work in a crisis because they’ve never tested the plans.

86 percent believe that a business continuity plan is a significant strategic advantage.
76 percent business continuity was a strategic priority for of the companies surveyed,
69 percent follow a business continuity plan;
45 percent test business continuity plans them more than once a year.
35 percent tested yearly
20 percent not at all.

AA1000 Assurance Standard (2008) Global Launch

– 8th Oct 2008

The global launch of AccountAbility’s AA1000 Assurance Standard (AA1000AS) 2008 will take place in London on October 24th 2008 - followed by numerous regional and country level launches beginning November 2008

Coca-Cola receives award for Corporate Social Responsibility Reporting

– 7th Oct 2008

Coca-Cola Enterprises has received the Golden Peacock Award for Corporate Social Responsibility Reporting.

EUFIC publishes first results of EU labelling survey

– 4th Oct 2008

Most UK consumers are aware of guidance daily amounts (GDA) and traffic light labelling, but only one-in-four actually looks for nutritional information.

The impact of the Chinese milk crisis on global supply chains

– 3rd Oct 2008

As the contamination of Chinese milk sends ripples through the global food industry, Eversheds lawyers Richard Matthews and Elizabeth Hyde lay out the due diligence procedures that food companies must go through when sourcing from outside the EU

Is price driving the sustainability debate?

– 29th Sep 2008 by Alex Briggs

Food manufacturers have begun a massive repackaging effort to address the environmental concerns of consumers. This article takes a look at the way that some global brands are addressing the issue, as well as how they are attempting to balance environmental concerns with consumer health concerns.

“Good for you” will increasingly be faced off with “good for the environment,” and food companies will find themselves redefining how their food products will retain appeal, according to Mintel International in Chicago.

ISO sends Social Responsibility Standard Draft to Committee

– 28th Sep 2008 by Alex Briggs

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) released its Social Responsibility Standard to the committee stage, moving it one step closer to being an official ISO standard.
Nearly 400 experts and observers from around the world met at the ISO Social Responsibility Working Group, held September 1-5 in Santiago, Chile. There they agreed that sufficient progress had been made in developing the draft international standard on social responsibility for the “working draft” to be taken to “committee draft” level.

Restoring Trust in CSR

– 26th Sep 2008 by Alex Briggs

This video interview with Alan Knight offers insight into the new AA1000AS standard. The standard will be launched in London on the 24th of October.

Clock Ticking on 9001 Users

– 25th Sep 2008 by Alex Briggs

ISO 9001:2008 is set to be published in the next few months. From the date of publish, current 9001:2000 certificate holders have 24 months to convert to the newer version. Companies whose three-year certificate cycle expires once 9001:2008 is published will only have the option of getting certified against the new version.

Steve Williams, Technical Manager, Certification at Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance (LRQA) stated, “ISO and the IAF have agreed an implementation plan to ensure a smooth migration of accredited certification to ISO 9001:2008. They have stated that ISO 9001:2008 does not contain any new requirements. ISO 9001:2008 only introduces clarifications to the existing requirements of ISO 9001:2000 based on eight years of experience of implementing the standard. It also introduces changes intended to improve consistency with ISO14001:2004.”

US Food + Drug Administration moves to reduce “Port Shopping”

– 22nd Sep 2008 by Alex Briggs

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has issued a proposed rule to reduce the practice called “port shopping,” or trying to gain entry at different ports when a potential import has already been rejected. The F.D.A. requires such foods must be exported or destroyed.

The rule would require denied imports to bear a label that would read, “United States: Refused Entry.” The rule would also implement a provision of the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002.

Clarity and Transparency Needed for Green Claims

– 18th Sep 2008 by Alex Briggs

Brands making green claims about their products need clarity on what they can and cannot say. This Ethical Corp. article highlights the difficulty for corporations in proving their green claims. The use of language, including sustainability and “low-carbon” were highlighted as terms that are difficult to prove and could potentially leave global brands open to criticism.

Are Standards helping or hurting workers rights?

– 17th Sep 2008 by Alex Briggs

Two workers rights experts have held an insightful debate into Supply Chain standards and human rights for workers. Jeff Ballinger, academic, former union and NGO activist is clearly against standards as the end all solution for factory abuses, while Doug Cahn, consultant and formerly of Reebok, is in favour of standards and audits in bringing about change in supply chain factories around the globe.
This Ethical Corporation article features the full debate.

Supply Chain Security/Food Safety Video

– 16th Sep 2008 by Alex Briggs

This link is to a flash movie on the key issues surrounding food safety and supply chain security.

The presentation is from O. Keith Helferich, Ph.D. -Professor, Supply Chain Management at Central Michigan University and
Instructor, Supply Chain Management, Eli Broad College of Business at Michigan State University, and John Spink, MS., Director
Packaging for Food and Product Protection Initiative.

Are Standards the answer to the Biofuels Debate?

– 15th Sep 2008 by Alex Briggs

The Gallagher Review, commissioned by the UK government and released in July, concluded the EU’s biofuels target of 10% of all fuels by 2020 could not be met sustainably and advised that targets be scaled back.

The report concluded that, while the current targets are not realistic under the existing regulations,

if robust, comprehensive and mandatory sustainability standards are implemented now, a genuinely sustainable industry could evolve.

This ClimateChangeCorp.com article goes on to discuss existing standards, as well as introducing the Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels “Version Zero” proposed standard.

Gold Standard Registry now includes more than 200 valid greenhouse gas reduction projects

– 11th Sep 2008

APX and the Gold Standard Foundation are pleased to announce today that the Gold Standard Registry now includes more than 200 valid greenhouse gas reduction projects in various stages of approval representing renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in over 30 countries. This dramatic growth — well ahead of expectations — represents a total potential [...]

Tesco’s Carbon Labelling Podcast

– 8th Sep 2008

In this episode, we hear from Katherine Symonds, Tesco’s Sustainability Manager, about Tesco’s carbon labelling pilot project.

FASB proposed accounting standard sparks controversy

– 2nd Sep 2008

The proposed accounting standard seeks to modify the rules currently governing loss contingencies, including the disclosure of the costs of ongoing environmental litigation and pending unsettled lawsuits

Major manufacturers and retailers refine shipping and logistics operations to save energy costs

– 2nd Sep 2008

A survey just released by eyefortransport tells us what for most green-minded professionals seems obvious: High fuel prices are causing the country’s manufacturers, retailers and logistics providers to rethink their transportation strategies.

BCFA creates code of best practice

– 2nd Sep 2008

The British Contract Furnishing & Design Association is aiming to set a benchmark in environmental standards with a new code of best practice which includes looking at ISO 14001.

Japanese Government Launches Carbon Labelling Initiative

– 31st Aug 2008 by Alex Briggs

Japan is the latest country to commit to carbon labelling retail products. According to this Guardian article, about 30 companies will display their labeled items at an eco-products fair in Tokyo in December, and the first batches are expected to appear in shops at the beginning of April 2009.

New method to measure carbon emissions across entire supply chain in all tiers

– 20th Aug 2008

Carnegie Mellon University researchers are urging companies to embrace new methods for following the trail of dangerous carbon emissions that are responsible for much of the world’s global warming threats.

Interview with the CEO of the CDP

– 20th Aug 2008 by Alex Briggs

Paul Dickinson, the CEO of the Carbon Disclosure Project, is the focus of this interview from the Low Carbon Innovation Bulletin.

Use the ‘Assure View’ report findings to benchmark your CSR activities

– 18th Aug 2008

You can use the findings from, ‘Assure View’ - The CSR Assurance Statement Report, to look through the many available assurance providers and to also assess the full picture by looking into the raw data.

Create trust in your CSR strategy - get independent assurance

– 17th Aug 2008

CSR reporting has become a basic business expectation, the majority of CSR reports aren’t independently assured. This casts serious doubts on the role, meaning and reliability of these non-assured CSR reports,” the Assure View study says.

Managing global supply chains: McKinsey Global Survey Results

– 15th Aug 2008

A McKinsey Quarterly survey finds that supply chain risk is rising sharply. However, supply chain management isn’t keeping pace: most respondents say that their companies aren’t meeting strategic goals for it, and relatively few have acted on the global trends with the most influence over supply chains.

McKinsey Supply Chain Risk Document

– 14th Aug 2008 by Alex Briggs

managing-global-supply-chains.pdf managing-global-supply-chains.pdf This is the PDF of the McKinsey survey on the growing importance of Supply Chain Risk.

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High levels of lead in Chocolate cause Supply Chain concern

– 8th Aug 2008 by Alex Briggs

This Food Navigator article highlights the continued problems in global food supply chains.

Consumers on the importance of Food Labelling

– 7th Aug 2008 by Alex Briggs

This Food Business Daily article looks at the ever increasing amount of labels on food products. Are consumers paying attention to these claims and understanding what the claims mean? Or are there better ways to reach consumers?

Supply Chain Management front and centre in Korea

– 4th Aug 2008 by Alex Briggs

LG Electronics has recognised their supply chain as both one of their biggest risks as well as one of their biggest opportunities. In this Korea Times article, Didier Chenneveau Chief supply chain officer,LG Electronics, talks about their global supply chain strategy.

When can we believe a CSR report? New report sheds light on

– 1st Aug 2008

A new report reveals previously unpublished information about a young but burgeoning
multi-million pound global industry operating at the heart of corporate trust: CSR report
assurance.
Assure View - The CSR Assurance Statement Report is the first report to offer an independent,
comprehensive overview of the field. The report outlines who uses assurance, who provides
assurance and what methods are [...]

Coca-Cola Enterprises releases 3rd CRS Report

– 1st Aug 2008

Coca-Cola Enterprises (NYSE:CCE), the world’s largest marketer, distributor, and producer of Coca-Cola products, has published its third company-wide Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability (CRS) Report, Shape Tomorrow…Today.

Will consumers pay more for eco-friendly products? Apparently they will…

– 1st Aug 2008

Many Americans, including those who are enduring financial hardship, are willing to pay more for environmentally friendly products, according to a survey conducted by GfK Roper Public Affairs & Media and the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies.

Credit crunch no excuse to stop focusing on environment

– 1st Aug 2008

The past decade has seen significant improvements in environmental performance by many businesses in England and Wales. But there are still lots of companies that need to do more - and what progress has been made should not stop just because of a slowdown in the economy, the Environment Agency warned today.

Recent study of environmental policies shows that success means treating people as active partners

– 1st Aug 2008

A recent study of such environmental policies shows they are more likely to be successful if people are treated as active partners in the process of change and not as passive subjects.

The Six Sins of Greenwashing

– 1st Aug 2008

These terms make it meaningful for companies disclosing any data and information rather than the scientific principles all the schemes use e.g. materiality, faithfulness, etc.

The latest draft of the AA1000 Assurance Standard (2008) is now online for public consultation

– 1st Aug 2008

This final period of consultation runs until September 12th after which the Technical Committee will again review all comments and finalise the Standard for the global launch on October 24th.

Eye for Transport Report Highlights Green Supply Chain Issues

– 29th Jul 2008 by Alex Briggs

The attached report is the result of Eye For Transport’s recent survey of Supply Chain experts, with both current and future trends being evaluated.

Economics leading to Greener Supply Chains

– 23rd Jul 2008 by Alex Briggs

The high price of energy and oil are driving brands to “green” their supply chains. This Climatechangecorp.com article highlights some of the ways that logistics providers are taking steps to improve fuel efficiency, increase payload and better manage their environmental and economic performance.

What Makes A Good Corporate Responsibility Report?

– 15th Jul 2008

In an enlightening session, VP of Corporate Responsibility for Cone LLC, Liz Gorman and Starbucks Communications Program Manager, Amy Anderson, (pictured) shared some of their best practices in preparing a winning CSR report.

APX Powers the Voluntary Carbon Standard Registry

– 13th Jul 2008

Apex Inc., today announced that the company has been selected by the Voluntary Carbon Standard (VCS) Association, a leading international standards organization, to develop and manage a greenhouse gas transaction registry.

Codex adopts 35 international food standards

– 11th Jul 2008

Thirty-five new international food standards were adopted during last week’s 31st session of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, including guidelines on the use of flavourings and gluten-free products.

Waste Reduction through Innovation

– 11th Jul 2008 by Alex Briggs

UK’s Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) have invited food manufacturers to take part in a project aimed at waste reduction through innovation in food packaging technology.

BT Pledges 80% Emissions Cut, Links Financial And Environmental Performance

– 10th Jul 2008

BT has announced plans to cut its carbon emissions by 80 percent by 2020 and published a “Climate Stabilization Intensity Target”.

US turns to cooperation and certification for solutions

– 10th Jul 2008 by Alex Briggs

The US Department of Health and Human Services announced a two part pilot project to help improve food safety.

New labelling standard to be issued only to UK organisations that show real reductions year-on-year

– 8th Jul 2008

The Carbon Trust says its standard will only be issued to UK organisations that show “real reductions year-on-year.

Compliance driving Global Supply Chains?

– 8th Jul 2008 by Alex Briggs

This Retail Bulletin article discusses the results of a recently published survey on supply chain issues. According to the 100 UK supply chain professionals surveyed, supply chain managers spend up to 52 days a year keeping abreast of, and complying with regulation and legislation relating to the supply chain.
The research found 84 per cent spend up to 52 days a year on compliance while 16 per cent claim even more time. More than half (58 per cent) claim to be either concerned or very concerned about operating in an increasingly regulated environment.

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India sets up Food Safety and Standards Authority

– 8th Jul 2008 by Alex Briggs

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India will be set up by the end of July, 2008 while the first set of food safety norms may come out within the next two months, according an Indian Government official.

Tesco defends carbon label scheme

– 6th Jul 2008

As critics accuse carbon labels of confusing customers, supermarket giant insists initiative has proved “encouraging” and cheaper than expected, reports James Murray, BusinessGreen.

Shoppers urge retailers to ditch non-green products

– 6th Jul 2008

More than three quarters of consumers want higher environmental product standards from government

Sustainable action greening supply chain

– 3rd Jul 2008

A report this week from Danisco on its waste and energy saving initiatives and a US dairy industry-wide action plan on carbon emissions.

Carbon credit trading rising in Australia, but is it transparent?

– 3rd Jul 2008

Carbon credit brokers have sprung up across the nation. It is the environmental cottage industry we had to have in the long wait until 2010 when Australia finally gets a national emissions trading scheme.

Check-out carbon: the role of carbon labelling in delivering a low-carbon shopping basket

– 3rd Jul 2008

Check-out Carbon, published by sustainable development charity Forum for the Future, also reveals that 77 per cent of consumers want the government to set higher environmental product standards.

Carbon labelling – crunch time

– 2nd Jul 2008

Has the credit crunch begun to affect what you put in your shopping basket? How about the Carbon crunch?

Forum for the Future’s new report: Check out Carbon

– 2nd Jul 2008

Forum for the Future’s new report, sponsored by Lloyd’s Register, entitled Check-out Carbon, released.

Carbon labels to arrive in China

– 2nd Jul 2008

Carbon Trust to open office in Beijing as UK government steps up plans to address supply chain emissions.

Identity theft causes concern about safety of food

– 2nd Jul 2008

Fraudulent activity has been discovered in the UK which could be leading to the sale of unsafe food.

Codex discusses labelling and safety standards

– 2nd Jul 2008

The Codex Alimentarius Commission in Geneva will discuss over 30 texts concerning international food standards.

Are good intentions enough?

– 2nd Jul 2008

Telling customers about your environmental targets is all well and good but, as Paul Thomas argues, they are meaningless if you do not know how they are to be achieved.

ISO 27001 certification helps deliver measurable difference for BT

– 2nd Jul 2008

BT meets security control requirements - and shows a high level of security governance, especially in the area of risk management

Vodafone’s ‘One Strategy’ CR 2008 report launched

– 30th Jun 2008

Can business strategy really be aligned with corporate responsibility strategy? This critical question is the theme of Vodafone’s 2008 CR Review

Canada Ad Watchdog Releases Green Marketing Guidelines

– 30th Jun 2008

A new guide from the Canadian Competition Bureau of the Canadian Standards Association provides the business community there with green marketing guidelines.

Stern Helps Launch New Carbon Ratings Agency

– 30th Jun 2008

The UK Government’s climate change adviser, Sir Nicholas Stern, helped launch an emissions reduction initiative.

Efficiency = Economics For HK’s Textile Industry

– 30th Jun 2008

WWF and a small number of factory owners in Hong Kong and southern China are developing a carbon labeling system

Easing the transformation to environmentally-sound supply chains with product tests

– 30th Jun 2008

Manufacturers today are undergoing one of their most drastic shifts ever in the major green movement.

Virgin Media launch first CR Report

– 27th Jun 2008

The report explains how Virgin Media has started its journey towards becoming a more responsible business.

Food Safety Guidelines put more pressure on food processors

– 27th Jun 2008

The global sourcing of ingredients and products along with recent factory recalls has led to increased calls from consumers for more rigorous safety programmes and close monitoring of suppliers

ISO Magazine focusses on Food Safety

– 23rd Jun 2008 by Alex Briggs

The latest edition of the ISO Magazine is dedicated to ISO 22000, the food safety management system standard. Case studies from Kraft, Danone, Arla Foods and the Van Drie Group highlight the issue.

Vectron International C-TPAT certified

– 3rd Jun 2008

Vectron International, a leader in the design, manufacture and marketing of Frequency Control, Sensor, and Hybrid Product solutions, today announced that it has been named as a certified Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT)

Fuda Faucet obtains the use of CE marking for its faucets

– 3rd Jun 2008

A Chinese company engaged in the business of developing, manufacturing, marketing and distributing mid-tier European style brass faucets, spouts and fittings to the international markets, has obtained the use of CE marking for its faucets.

California delves into regulatory standards on voluntary carbon offsets

– 3rd Jun 2008

California legislators say they just want to make sure voluntary carbon offsets purchased by individuals deliver the promised benefits, but one of two bills on the table has offset providers nervous.

Roles of ISPS code and standards in supply chain management

– 2nd Jun 2008

The 9/11 incidents has created an increased awareness of security that has considerable potential for progressive ports and companies to exploit to their commercial advantage by being able to market their compliance with the ISO 28000:2007 Standard that has been developed because of 9/11.

ISO 9001 is not Rocket Science - Dispelling the “Myths” of ISO 9001

– 27th May 2008

This is a four piece article written by Bretta Kelly, President CIS WWSG, that describes a common sense approach of how to implement or revise an ISO 9001:2000 management system.

Mandatory and voluntary carbon markets see significant growth in 2007

– 15th May 2008

Both the mandatory and voluntary carbon markets saw significant growth in 2007, though the voluntary market experienced the biggest boost, tripling in value with even more expansion expected.
The voluntary carbon market is still a small part of all carbon buying and trading, with a value of $331 million in 2007. The two major mandatory markets [...]

Ban on unnecessary colours for children

– 9th May 2008

Sweeteners and colourings in food aimed at children should be banned, while additives ought to be used in other products only if they provide an advantage to the consumer, said the EU Environment Committee.

Unilever pledge to use only palm oil certified as sustainable by 2015

– 9th May 2008

Unilever has pledged to use only palm oil certified as sustainable by 2015, while also supporting calls for a moratorium on further deforestation for palm oil in Indonesia.

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Corporate emissions reporting protocols should go further to link emissions to financial performance

– 9th May 2008

Corporate emissions reporting protocols should go further to link GHG emissions to corporate financial performance – concludes new Ethical Corporation Institute report.

The green product life cycle - beginning to end, and beyond

– 9th May 2008

Products are increasingly being designed, manufactured and packaged with a new focus on the end of their life cycle – and beyond

Creating Shared Value - Nestle’s approach to Corporate Social Responsibility

– 8th May 2008

Download the recent Nestle ‘Creating Shared Value’ report and see the 7 minute film which helps communicate their fresh approach to CSR.

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Is cost a barrier to fulfillin your energy efficiency goals?

– 8th May 2008

A different approach to assessing green corporate investments in energy efficiency, whether it is upgrading equipment or replacing the inefficient lighting in a facility.

Richard Wilding Supply Chain Podcast - Episode 1

– 8th May 2008

This Supply Chain podcast is episode one of a three part series. The series is made up of interviews with Professor Richard Wilding from Cranfield University, one of Europe’s top supply chain management experts.

CEOs plan to increase CSR investments by 25 percent

– 7th May 2008

To better understand and reach the rapidly growing number of socially-minded customers, CEOs plan to increase their CSR investments by 25 percent over the next three years, the largest percentage increase of any trend identified in the just-released IBM Global CEO Study, the largest study of chief executives ever conducted.

Tropical insects first to be affected by climate change?

– 6th May 2008

Scientists also warned that there will be other effects of global warming that could also have a serious impact on tropical regions, particularly on food crops.

Slaughterhouses cited for Food Safety violations

– 30th Apr 2008 by Alex Briggs

This Associated Press exclusive report states that two of the US’ largest beef slaughterhouses have been cited by the Food Safety and Inspection Service for their treatment of cattle, which resulted in “noncompliances” being issued.

Standards and schemes playing major role for UK food companies

– 24th Apr 2008 by Alex Briggs

This article highlights the important role that standards and schemes are playing in assuring consumer trust in UK food companies. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) carried out research that is the basis of the article’s conclusions.

Where there is a will, there is a light

– 24th Apr 2008 by Alex Briggs

Through the hard work and creativity of Nobel peace laureate Muhammad Yunus, and his Grameen Bank, Bangladesh is leading the way on solar energy. This ClimateChangeCorp article explains how Bangladesh is reducing its carbon footprint and creating jobs in the process.
Is anyone watching or listening?

Latest Survey Indicates Americans want proof of green claims

– 23rd Apr 2008

90% of Americans say that companies need to prove their green claims, 80% say they should have independent third-party certification of those claims.

This Environmental Leader article highlights the Green Gap Survey from Cone and The Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship surveyed US consumers on a range of topics regarding environmental products and the companies selling them.

The Biofuels Debate: Do we feed people or cars?

– 15th Apr 2008 by Alex Briggs

With the new Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) coming into force today, oil companies are required oil companies to ensure all petrol and diesel they sell in the UK contains a minimum level of biofuel. This article in the Independent takes a closer look at the debate over the use of farm land as a transportation fuel source.

Medical Devices Directive Update 2007/47/EC

– 14th Apr 2008 by Simon Emeny

The European Commission has announced a pilot program, to examine the changes that will result form the adoption of the Medical Devices Directive.

UK Minister for the Environment to deliver keynote address at Climate Response event

– 8th Apr 2008

The Minister will discuss how the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC), the new mandatory carbon cap-and-trade scheme, will impact businesses operating in the UK.

Steps to a greener supply chain

– 1st Apr 2008

Just the sheer complexity of today’s long and global supply chains might be enough to daunt any thought of where to start to implement green strategies and technologies. But there is a lot of help available out there to make the journey an easier one.

Global trade management - what does it mean?

– 1st Apr 2008

Supplychainstandard.com looks at the term ”Global Trade Management” (GTM) and delves into what it actually represents.

Addressing the last link in the supply chain

– 1st Apr 2008

A recent article by Supplychainstandard.com talks about how the adoption of a sound strategy at the port-to-destination leg of the supply chain can have a direct impact on the amount and position of inventory, accuracy of forecasting, availability of product at DC, store or manufacturing line, and ultimately the level of sales of the receiving organisation.

The Accel 2008 Conference - Voice in the supply chain

Event: 14th Apr 2008 – 16th Apr 2008

Country: USA
City: Pittsburgh
Event website: The Accel 2008 Conference - Voice in the supply chain
Join your industry peers at Vocollect’s premier global industry conference on voice in the supply chain, being held at the Sheraton Hotel, Station Square in Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
You won’t want to miss the Vocollect Live! Interactive Pavilion opening April 14 in the [...]

Get the best from your business relationships in China

– 1st Apr 2008

A recent Quality Digest article looks at the recent quality problems in China and how the U.S. media have become quick to blame the Chinese as “cost-cutting, get-rich-quick cheaters. Two parties make up a transaction, and we forget the responsibilities of the purchasers, the U.S. companies.

ISO 22000 and it’s impact on food safety

– 1st Apr 2008

Quality digest talks about ISO 22000, the global food saftey standard, and how it impacts on food processing and food-ingredient supply chains.

Novelty lighters banned

– 20th Mar 2008

On 11 March the Commission decided to ban the sale of non-child resistant and novelty lighters to consumers enters into force.

Popular gadgets hit shelves pre-installed with viruses

– 20th Mar 2008

Some of the hottest new electronic devices are being found to contain factory pre-installed viruses that steal passwords, send spam and perform other nefarious tasks that make the systems easy targets for hackers.

Inside jobs losing corporations more money than fraud

– 20th Mar 2008

According to a study by Indian Forensic Consulting, a Pune-based consultancy engaged in fraud examination and forensic accounting in India, 80 per cent of the time, corporates lose more money to ‘shenanigans of their own employees rather than frauds committed by an external party.

German household products company publishes CSR report

– 20th Mar 2008

German household products company Henkel has published a report outlining its environmental progress last year.

California Climate Action Registry (CCAR) Podcast

– 20th Mar 2008

In this episode we talk to the Vice-President of Ryerson, Master and Associates, (RMA), about the California Climate Action Registry (CCAR), a non-profit public/private partnership headquartered in Los Angeles that serves as a voluntary greenhouse gas registry to protect, encourage, and promote early actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

IPCCP to examine imported goods from abroad

– 18th Mar 2008

The Yemen Standardization, Metrology, Quality Control Organization (YSMO) plans to apply International Product Conformity Certification Program (IPCCP) to examine imported goods from abroad.

Consumers kiss convenience packaging goodbye

– 18th Mar 2008

More than half of U.S. consumers would give up all forms of packaging provided for convenience purposes if it would benefit the environment.

2008 Budget - does it really address climate change?

– 17th Mar 2008

The Chancellor has fallen a long way short of his promise to put sustainability at the heart of today’s Budget, says Friends of the Earth.

CSR Reporting in China

– 17th Mar 2008

A website looks at the issues of Corporate Social Responsibility and how they are being delivered in China.

Global logistics firm get C-TPAT validation

– 17th Mar 2008

DHL announced recently that DHL Express has been validated for C-TPAT

The Corporate ecosystem services review

– 17th Mar 2008

This set of guidelines, accompanied by case studies from five businesses, explains the steps a business should take to identify what ecosystems it depends on and the risks and opportunities related to changes in those ecosystems.

Lobster fisheries certified sustainable

– 17th Mar 2008

The Maine lobster industry is seeking to have its lobster certified as sustainable by the London-based Marine Stewardship Council.

Trends in consumer actions to protect the environment

– 17th Mar 2008

In the current wave of the environmental movement, there is quite a bit of talk. But research from Natural Marketing Institute shows that there is also quite a bit of action.

Consultation update on material regulations begins

– 17th Mar 2008

Consultation on an addition to a draft EU-wide regulation relating to the use of plastic and other food contact materials has started in Northern Ireland.

Corporate Social Responsibility increasingly key issue for firms

– 17th Mar 2008 by Raz Chaudary

How do Taiwanese companies support their CSR decision making?

Carbon labelling, confused?

– 13th Mar 2008

To help shoppers make green choices, companies are slapping carbon labels on products. But even if the public can interpret the information, will it help reduce greenhouse gas emissions?

New report helps make sense of the voluntary carbon offset market

– 13th Mar 2008

The Stockholm Environment announces the release of a comprehensive
new report on the voluntary carbon offset market.

Credibility in international organic trade crucial

– 13th Mar 2008

The IFOAM Trade Congress 2008 was held on the day before BioFach opened in Nuremberg and addressed important issues of worldwide product sourcing, transparency in trade and potential opportunities for fraud. In their contributions, several speakers from USA, Germany and the Netherlands examined the problems from different angles.

New machinery directive in 2009

– 10th Mar 2008

When the new Machinery Directive comes into force at the end of 2009 there will be a requirement that fixings for fixed guards must be retained when the guard is removed.

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State of Green Business 2008 - Report

– 10th Mar 2008

It introduces the GreenBiz Index, a set of 20 indicators of progress, tracking the resource use, emissions, and business practices of U.S. companies: carbon, materials, energy, and toxics intensity, clean-tech investments, e-waste recovery, paper use, employee commuting, and more.

Helping small businesses in the U.S. go green

– 10th Mar 2008 by Sarah Whitworth

Although large companies continually grab the headlines with far-reaching announcements about carbon reduction, recycling and eco-friendly products, small businesses have just as much ability to affect the environment.

2008 Sees the new face of starvation

– 10th Mar 2008

Millions more of the world’s most vulnerable people are facing starvation as food shortages loom and crop prices spiral ever upwards.

Certification driving the Sustainability agenda?

– 6th Mar 2008 by Alex Briggs

This CSR NewsWire story takes a look at the increasing role that certification is taking in sustainability and CSR.

China’s food safety guarantee

– 5th Mar 2008

After a year of food scares, China tries to assure the world that food for Olympians will be safe. John Vause reports. See the video on CNN.

National Food Event in the Netherlands

Event: 12th Mar 2008 – 13th Mar 2008

LRQA will be present at the event with a stand and Cor Groenveld will deliver a presentation on the subject “Food Standards: current situation and future developments”. This presentation will not only cover food safety and quality, but also sustainability, security and supply chain assurance.

Green-e Climate certifying carbon offsets

– 28th Feb 2008

The Center for Resource Solutions has launched Green-e Climate, what it says is the nation’s first independent certification for carbon offset products.

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Publication of Postal Directive marks start date for real market opening

– 28th Feb 2008

The Third Postal Directive is published today in the Official Journal, the EU reports.

Case Study: Using a risk assessment model in a quality management system

– 28th Feb 2008

“In today’s Quality Management systems, the ability to control and correct processes is key to maintaining a high level of compliance within an organization”, says pharmaceuticalonline.com.

FSA begin consultation with food and beverage manufacturers over health and safety rules

– 27th Feb 2008

The UK’s Food Standards Agency (FSA) has begun consultation with food and beverage manufacturers over their progress in bringing plastic packaging contact materials in line with health and safety rules.

Japan aims for emissions trade with Russia

– 27th Feb 2008

Japan and Russia have agreed to start talks on fighting global warming, including possible greenhouse gas emissions trading that would help Tokyo to meet its goals under the Kyoto Protocol, media said on Sunday.

Duke Energy CEO to open Sustainable Manufacturing Summit

– 27th Feb 2008

Rogers is opening the two-day summit which focuses on how manufacturers can reduce their climate impact at every stage of the production process – from product design through to waste.

Event discount for businessassurance.com subscribers

– 27th Feb 2008

Businessassurance.com subscribers are encouraged to take advantage of a 15% discount off Corporate Climate Response - London, which takes place May 20-21st at the CBI Conference Centre.

World emissions protocol on way

– 25th Feb 2008

Only months after releasing its Voluntary Carbon Standard for carbon offsets, The Climate Group has revealed that it will soon begin work on a guide for auditors to follow when calculating the carbon footprint of business and households.

Orange revitalise their CSR effort

– 25th Feb 2008

Orange aims to place a much greater emphasis on corporate and social responsibility.

Corporate Climate Response - London

Event: 20th May 2008 – 21st May 2008

This event will cover the Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC), the UK’s new mandatory carbon trading scheme and Climate Change and the Food Industry, by looking at the climate impact across the food supply chain from agriculture through to waste.

Corporate Climate Response – Sustainable Manufacturing

Event: 8th Apr 2008 – 9th Apr 2008

Country: USA
City: Chicago
Event website: Corporate Climate Response – Sustainable Manufacturing Summit
Organized by Green Power Conferences this conference will contain sessions focusing on climate-friendly product development, operational response, and sustainable supply chains, this event covers carbon reduction at every stage of the manufacturing process.
Over 50 companies are speaking including representatives from Dell, GE, HP, Johnson [...]

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