January 28, 2020

 

ISO issues new standard certification for agri-food sector

 

The International Organisation for Standardisation, or ISO, has just published a new standards certification specifically for the agri-food sector.

 

The ISO/TS 26030 provides guidelines on how an organisation in the food-production chain can contribute to sustainable development while considering all local laws, regulations, and stakeholder expectations.

 

It provides sector-specific, best-practice guidance on the implementation of ISO 26000, which is the international reference document for social responsibility, helping organisations to operate in an ethical and transparent way that contributes directly to sustainable development. In other words, ISO/TS 26030 is a food-sector application of ISO 26000, ISO's flagship standard for social responsibility.

 

It will help organisations such as food companies, farms, cooperatives, processors and retailers to develop a list of activities that will lead them to being more socially responsible.

 

Sandrine Espeillac, manager of the ISO technical committee that developed the guidance, said there is increasing demand from consumers to have sustainable and socially responsible practices at every step of the food production chain, creating a real need for internationally agreed systems and processes.

 

'Significant influence'

 

"The food and agriculture sector has a significant influence on our world and our well-being", she said.

 

"The use of ISO/TS 26030 will therefore not only help to improve social responsibility and sustainability in the food industry but have a positive impact on society as a whole. It also helps organisations contribute to many of the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals", she added.

 

The United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) helped in the development of ISO/TS 26030, Espeillac also noted.

 

In addition, this ISO technical specification will help harmonise the various approaches to sustainability in the sector at the international level, giving users a competitive edge.

 

ISO/TS 26030 was the subject of a symposium on achieving social responsibility objectives, held on Jan. 23 at the French government's Economic, Social and Environmental Council in Paris.

 

ISO/TS 26030 is available for purchase from the buyer's national ISO member or through the ISO Store.