Program 5: Sustainability Compliance & Certification Support

Your Partner in Achieving Sustainability Excellence

Scope: Assisting businesses in identifying the most relevant and beneficial sustainability and compliance certifications for their specific sector, products, and target export markets. This includes an overview of standards like Fair Trade, Organic, Global G.A.P., Rainforest Alliance, ISO 14001 (Environmental Management), SA8000 (Social Accountability), and audit schemes like SMETA/BSCI.
Key Benefit: Make informed decisions about which certifications will provide the most value in terms of market access, brand enhancement, and operational improvement, avoiding investment in irrelevant standards.
Key Highlight: Expert guidance to demystify the complex landscape of sustainability and compliance standards, aligning choices with strategic business goals.
Target: Businesses (from SMEs to larger corporations, including individual producers seeking certification) considering or required to obtain certifications to meet market demands or enhance their ethical and sustainable profile, but unsure where to start.

Scope: A thorough assessment of the client’s current operational practices, processes, documentation, and systems against the specific requirements of the chosen sustainability or compliance standard(s). This identifies any gaps or areas of non-conformity that need to be addressed to achieve certification.
Key Benefit: Clearly understand the specific actions and changes needed to meet certification requirements, providing a roadmap for implementation and saving time and resources in the preparation process.
Key Highlight: A detailed and practical report outlining discrepancies and providing actionable recommendations for bridging the gaps towards certification readiness.
Target: Companies or individual enterprises that have selected a specific standard(s) and need to understand their current level of preparedness and the specific steps required for compliance.

Scope: Providing guidance, tools, and templates for developing and implementing necessary policies, procedures, documentation (e.g., manuals, records), and internal training programs (for personnel) required to meet the chosen standard’s requirements. This can include support in areas like traceability systems, waste management, labor practices, etc.
Key Benefit: Streamline the implementation process for achieving certification by leveraging expert knowledge and proven methodologies, ensuring all requirements are adequately addressed.
Key Highlight: Hands-on support and practical resources to facilitate the internal changes and documentation needed for successful certification.
Target: Businesses or individual operations actively working towards certification that require expert assistance in developing and embedding the necessary systems and practices. (Relevant personnel will be involved in implementation).

Scope: Conducting internal checks, mock audits, or readiness reviews that simulate the official certification audit. This helps to identify any remaining non-conformities or areas of weakness before the external auditors conduct their assessment, providing an opportunity for corrective action.
Key Benefit: Increase the likelihood of a successful first-time certification audit, reducing the risk of costly re-audits and delays by identifying and addressing potential issues beforehand.
Key Highlight: A “dress rehearsal” for the official audit, building confidence and ensuring the company or individual operation is fully prepared for the external assessment.
Target: Companies, individual producers, or groups that have implemented the requirements of a standard and are nearing their official certification audit, seeking a final check and validation of their readiness.

Scope: Assisting businesses with the formal application process to the relevant certification body. This can include help with completing application forms, compiling required documentation for submission, and facilitating communication with the certification body throughout the certification process, including scheduling the audit.
Key Benefit: Simplify the administrative burden of the certification process and ensure smooth communication with the certification body, helping to navigate any procedural complexities.
Key Highlight: Acting as an intermediary and support system to manage the formal interactions with certification bodies efficiently.
Target: Businesses, individual producers, or groups that prefer assistance in managing the administrative and communication aspects of the certification application and audit process.