Increasing Environmental Commitment in Supply Chain Performance Management

ARCUEIL, France - Sept. 1, 2015 - PRLog -- Trend toward Environmental Commitment

Almost immediately, polluters found themselves subject to litigation, for example, a group of chemical companies subjected to compensation demands for about US$26 million (1). China is supporting victims of air and water pollution by actively clamping down on polluters and forcing them to comply with environmental regulations. Some companies are also taking the lead on the subject, implementing ambitious initiatives, moving faster than policy development.

Some brands and retailers are now implementing dynamic and ambitious voluntary sustainability programs. They are measuring tangible impacts of their industrial processes and their commitments are pulling forward their services providers and competitors. Thus, voluntary initiatives are a strong driver for supply chain improvement, which coincide with higher regulatory and NGO pressures. But for other market players, how to identify relevant actions and make the first step?

Around the world, many governments are strengthening regulations, with commitments to build the relevant frameworks for environmental protection and vigilance. For example:

- Due diligence duty for parent companies in France
- OECD guidelines
- European Parliament resolution of 29 April 2015 … on the Bangladesh Sustainability Compact (2)

Increased empowerment of stakeholders (NGOs, unions, etc.) and their need for transparency has pushed forward these recent policy developments.

Next Steps to Environmental Sustainability

Many industries saw the appearance, in 1996, of ISO 14001 as a solution to manage all environmental risks, including those impacting supply chains. However, many factories are not structured to implement such systems. Lubricant leakage, waste burning in backyards and water or electricity overconsumption are regularly observed in factories. Very often this is not malicious, but due to an ignorance of environmental topics.

About Business Environmental Performance Initiative

The Business Environmental Performance Initiative (BEPI) is the business-driven service developed by the Foreign Trade Association (FTA) for retailers and importers to improve environmental performance in their supply factories worldwide. Initially developed in 2012, BEPI provides a practical framework that supports all product sectors, in all countries, to reduce environmental impacts, business risks and costs through improved environmental practices. Built to help producers of all sizes to develop an Environmental Management System, BEPI works to reduce environmental impacts and increase operating efficiency. Through BEPI, member companies, mainly in the consumer sector worldwide, can access a concrete system for the implementation of environmental performance measures in their supply chain.

Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals

In 2011, in response to the Greenpeace Detox campaign, a group of major apparel and footwear brands and retailers made a shared commitment to help lead the industry towards Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) by 2020. The Joint Roadmap is a plan that sets a new standard of environmental performance, including specific commitments and timelines to realize this shared goal.

Moving Forward to Sustainable Supply Chains

With experienced project managers, auditors and consultants, SGS can provide a bundle of solutions and tailor made programs. SGS facilitates the preparation and the management of the project, with trainings, technical support and KPIs monitoring. The company deploys it on the field with self-assessment, audit, environmental testing and capacity building.

References:

European Parliament Resolution – Bangladesh Sustainability Compact (http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//E...)

About SGS Product Sustainability Services

Product sustainability services from SGS (http://www.sgs.com/en/Sustainability/Facilities-and-Produ...) expand clients’ range of environmentally responsible and sustainable products with a practical approach to ecodesign. SGS’s innovative ecodesign methodology, Green Forward, consolidates disparate data on hygiene, health, nutrition, quality and resources to speed-up a product’s route to market, by delivering turnkey solutions for:

- Environmental product declarations (EPD)
- Sustainable design and procurement
- Risk-free environmental communication
- Environmental audits and suppliers improvement programs

For further information, please contact an SGS representative.

Contact details:

SGS Consumer Testing Services
Emilie Viengchaleune-Phan
Global Sustainability Services
Global Marketing Coordinator
SGS – CTS
29, avenue Aristide Briand
94 111 Arcueil Cedex

t: +33 1 41 24 87 49
Email: cts.media@sgs.com
Website: www.sgs.com/en/Sustainability.aspx
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/sgs-consumer-goods-&-retail

SGS is the world’s leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than 80,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 1,650 offices and laboratories around the world.