LRQA Certifies Perfetti Van Melle to SA8000
13th October 2009
Social Accountability Standard Demonstrates Perfetti Van Melle’s Commitment to Workers Rights
October 13, 2009, Rotterdam - Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance (LRQA), a member of the Lloyd’s Register Group, has awarded confectionery manufacturer Perfetti Van Melle the SA8000:2008 Global Social Accountability Standard certificate for their operations in Holland.
Developed by Social Accountability International (SAI), SA8000 was first published in late 1997, revised in 2001 and reached its third edition in 2008. The standard, as well as the supporting independent certification process, provides the basis for a comprehensive and widely accepted approach for assuring fair and humane workplaces. SAI’s SA8000 system includes the opportunity for independent, expert verification of compliance by certification bodies accredited by Social Accountability Accreditation Services (SAAS). SA8000 is one of the most widely recognised standards, combining the effective use of systems for managing social accountability with the motivation to improve conditions for workers.
Independent, third-party assurance of an organisation’s ability to meet the certification requirements of SA8000 is increasingly being seen as proof that they are committed to the welfare of workers. To transparently demonstrate their commitment to social responsibility and the humane treatment of their workers, Perfetti Van Melle’s selected LRQA as their SA8000 assurance provider.
Perfetti Van Melle, the world’s third largest manufacturer of confectionery and gum products, was formed by the 2001 merger of Perfetti of Italy with Van Melle of the Netherlands. It employs over 14,000 people and distributes its products in over 130 countries. As part of their global Social and Environmental Responsibility strategy, Perfetti Van Melle decided to use the SA8000 standard to build its management framework to ensure a socially responsible working environment.
Guurtje Kok, Quality Manager for Perfetti Van Melle explains: “The Netherlands has a strong legislative environment that ensures workers rights. Our challenge lies with our suppliers. They produce and distribute from countries where these legislative frameworks either do not exist or aren’t sufficiently enforced. Therefore we want to make sure that we as Perfetti set the example and ask our suppliers to meet our standards on social responsibility and humanity. By achieving the LRQA SA8000 certification we have demonstrated that we are working with our suppliers to improve worker rights and that they are committed to meeting legislative requirements.”
LRQA’s certification of Perfetti Van Melle’s Dutch facilities raises the profile of SA8000 in the food manufacturing supply chain, one which is under increasing public pressure to ensure that people involved with any aspect of the manufacturing and supply of products are fairly treated and working in appropriate conditions.
Sandy Sutherland, LRQA’s Corporate Technical Manager, stated, “The Food Industry is a complex supply chain which relies on increasingly scarce resources that will be under continuous price pressure which in turn puts individuals’ working conditions at risk. Assuring a healthy and socially accountable environment where workers’ rights are protected and their conditions improved is therefore ever more important and LRQA are proud to contribute.”
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Notes to editors:
1. The contact details are as follows:
Alex Briggs
Marketing Communications Manager
LRQA Centre
T +44 (0) 24 7688 2382
F +44 (0) 24 7630 6055
Email alex.briggs@lrqa.com
Web www.lrqa.com
2. About Lloyd’s Register
LRQA is a member of the Lloyd’s Register Group. Lloyd’s Register provides independent assurance to companies operating high-risk capital intensive assets in energy and transportation to enhance the safety of life, property and the environment, thereby helping our clients ensure safe, responsible and sustainable supply chains. The Group comprises charities and non-charitable companies, with the latter supporting the charities in their main goal. Lloyd’s Register stands apart: independent, objective, experienced and uncompromising in our commitment to help clients produce an overall positive impact on society and the environment. www.lr.org Services are provided by members of the Lloyd’s Register Group.