Have your say in September... Mathieu Lamolle from Switzerland!
Is there other reasons to consider a sustainable standard to your products? do you think it will open doors to new markets and raise awareness about how your products were produced? Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.
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"There's a progress in the use of sustainability standards in global supply chains. The main proof of this is the steady growth of commitment from governments and large multinational companies, brands and retailers in integrating sustainability in their procurement strategies".
By: Juliana Díaz, MBA.
In this month we wanted to wide our sight about sustainability thanks to Mathieu Lamolle, Market Analyst at International Trade Centre Standards Map - ITC. He has 10+ years in international commerce, market access and sustainable development. His main duty is to coordinate and supervise the regulations database for www.standardsmap.com. He also coordinates collaborations between the ITC and its private partners relative to project management and market analysis.
Florverde® Sustainable Flowers: Why is important for sustainability the certification of the agricultural exports chains?
Mathieu Lamolle: The global supply chains are composed of multiple actors and intermediaries operating between farmers and final consumers, among which processors, manufacturers, traders and retailers. For agricultural products to be exchanged with sustainability claims, there is a need for trust between all actors in the supply chain. Among the key factors that create this trust is the process of traceability and certification. Therefore, it is very important to have robust certification programs and assurance that the sustainability requirements are met at all levels of global supply chains.
Florverde® Sustainable Flowers: What is the countries' answer of it?
Mathieu: Several actions were made by countries and regions on sustainability and certification. The European Union has developed a set of regulations - for example in the organic sector - which assesses and regulates the statements made on any organic products. It is a way of maintaining control in the final message that sustainability is the used as appropriately as possible on the products. In some countries, such as Germany and Switzerland, the governments are putting assessment methodologies of sustainability standards, which aims to review the soundness of the sustainability requirements and system components, such as certification and audit process, assurance and governance. In the United States, the government is developing a set of guidelines for procurement officials to help them make decisions about public tenders and service providers who are claiming their sustainability goals and commitments.
Florverde® Sustainable Flowers: Can we talk about a progress on this matter?
Mathieu: No doubt there is progress in the use of sustainability standards in global supply chains, from agriculture to manufacturing and textiles, toys and electronics sector. The main proof of this is the steady growth of commitment from governments and large multinational companies, brands and retailers in integrating sustainability in their procurement strategies and making sustainability a concrete model for business development.
Florverde® Sustainable Flowers: In the future, what are the trends for certification of the agricultural exports chains?
Mathieu: As we recognize that there is a proliferation of standards and claims for sustainability, the current trends is that such claims tend to initiate recognition process of each other through various processes of benchmarking: this helps to clarify the industry players up to final consumers on what is the substantial differences (if any) between sustainability standards. New assessment methodologies to benchmark sustainability standards are proliferating as well, trying to help policymakers and businesses navigate the complicated landscape of standards: such methodologies and tools are developed by governments, but also by industry associations or individual companies, brands and retailers. For more information please check www.standardsmap.org
In this month we wanted to wide our sight about sustainability thanks to Mathieu Lamolle, Market Analyst at International Trade Centre Standards Map - ITC. He has 10+ years in international commerce, market access and sustainable development. His main duty is to coordinate and supervise the regulations database for www.standardsmap.com. He also coordinates collaborations between the ITC and its private partners relative to project management and market analysis.
Florverde® Sustainable Flowers: Why is important for sustainability the certification of the agricultural exports chains?
Mathieu Lamolle: The global supply chains are composed of multiple actors and intermediaries operating between farmers and final consumers, among which processors, manufacturers, traders and retailers. For agricultural products to be exchanged with sustainability claims, there is a need for trust between all actors in the supply chain. Among the key factors that create this trust is the process of traceability and certification. Therefore, it is very important to have robust certification programs and assurance that the sustainability requirements are met at all levels of global supply chains.
Florverde® Sustainable Flowers: What is the countries' answer of it?
Mathieu: Several actions were made by countries and regions on sustainability and certification. The European Union has developed a set of regulations - for example in the organic sector - which assesses and regulates the statements made on any organic products. It is a way of maintaining control in the final message that sustainability is the used as appropriately as possible on the products. In some countries, such as Germany and Switzerland, the governments are putting assessment methodologies of sustainability standards, which aims to review the soundness of the sustainability requirements and system components, such as certification and audit process, assurance and governance. In the United States, the government is developing a set of guidelines for procurement officials to help them make decisions about public tenders and service providers who are claiming their sustainability goals and commitments.
Florverde® Sustainable Flowers: Can we talk about a progress on this matter?
Mathieu: No doubt there is progress in the use of sustainability standards in global supply chains, from agriculture to manufacturing and textiles, toys and electronics sector. The main proof of this is the steady growth of commitment from governments and large multinational companies, brands and retailers in integrating sustainability in their procurement strategies and making sustainability a concrete model for business development.
Florverde® Sustainable Flowers: In the future, what are the trends for certification of the agricultural exports chains?
Mathieu: As we recognize that there is a proliferation of standards and claims for sustainability, the current trends is that such claims tend to initiate recognition process of each other through various processes of benchmarking: this helps to clarify the industry players up to final consumers on what is the substantial differences (if any) between sustainability standards. New assessment methodologies to benchmark sustainability standards are proliferating as well, trying to help policymakers and businesses navigate the complicated landscape of standards: such methodologies and tools are developed by governments, but also by industry associations or individual companies, brands and retailers. For more information please check www.standardsmap.org
Is there other reasons to consider a sustainable standard to your products? do you think it will open doors to new markets and raise awareness about how your products were produced? Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.
Do you like this interview? please share it with your friends!
