The EHPEA Silver Standard has successfully completed the benchmarking process for the primary production scope under the SSCI’s Social Criteria, which was set up to ensure that the relevant social sustainability topics are being covered.
During the SSCI benchmarking process, EHPEA carried out several actions to align its Silver Standard with the SSCI benchmark, including improvements to:
● Governance and oversight procedures;
● Complaints and appeals handling processes;
● Audit oversight and record management;
● Risk and liability management;
● Labour and occupational health and safety requirements.
Mr. Tewodros Zewdie, Executive Director of EHPEA, said, “We are proud that the EHPEA Code of Practice for Sustainable Flower Production has received official recognition from the Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative. This achievement reflects our strong commitment to sustainability, ethical business practices, and continuous improvement across Ethiopia’s floriculture sector. It is a testament to the dedication of our member farms and reinforces our position as a trusted supplier in global markets.”
The SSCI benchmarks social and environmental sustainability schemes against a robust global baseline giving consumer goods companies the clarity needed to optimise their sourcing decisions and confidently meet industry and regulatory expectations.
This conditional recognition means that companies can source from EHPEA-certified farms with the understanding that the standard meets the strict requirements of the SSCI Social Criteria.
Didier Bergeret, Director of Sustainability at the CGF said, “By welcoming the EHPEA into our community of recognised schemes, we’re helping consumer goods companies source horticultural products more responsibly from Ethiopia.”
