In recent years, social compliance has become an increasingly important issue for companies across a wide range of industries. From consumer goods to manufacturing, companies are under increasing pressure to ensure that their supply chains are free from social and ethical violations. One tool that companies are using to address these concerns is the newly published FSSC 24000 certification standard. In this article, we will explore what the FSSC 24000 certification is, why it is important, and how companies can implement a social compliance management system to achieve certification.

What is FSSC 24000?
The FSSC 24000 is a social compliance management certification system that was developed by the Foundation FSSC. The certification is based on the independent standard PAS 24000:2022 Specification for Social Management Systems, which outlines the requirements for social performance and addresses issues related to social and ethical compliance.

The FSSC 24000 certification is designed to help companies ensure that their supply chains are free from social and ethical violations, such as forced labour, child labour, and discrimination. The certification is based on a set of requirements that companies must meet to be certified. These requirements include:

• Developing a social compliance management system that includes policies and procedures for identifying and addressing social and ethical issues in the supply chain;
• Conducting regular risk assessments to identify potential social and ethical risks in the supply chain;
• Implementing corrective actions to address identified risks;
• Monitoring and measuring the effectiveness of the social compliance management system.

Why is FSSC 24000 important?
The FSSC 24000 certification is important for several reasons.

• Firstly, it helps companies ensure that their supply chains are free from social and ethical violations. By implementing a social compliance management system and achieving certification, companies can demonstrate to customers, stakeholders, and regulators that they are committed to ethical and responsible business practices (due diligence and social accountability) by means of an established, implemented, maintained, continually improving, and verified social management system.
• Secondly, achieving FSSC 24000 certification can help companies mitigate risks related to social and ethical violations. In recent years, companies have faced increasing legal and reputational risks related to social and ethical violations in their supply chains. Achieving FSSC 24000 certification can help companies avoid these risks by providing a framework for identifying and addressing potential issues before they become problems.
• Finally, the FSSC 24000 certification can help companies improve their overall supply chain management. By implementing a social compliance management system and achieving certification, companies can gain insights into their supply chains that can help them improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance overall performance.

How can companies implement a social compliance management system?
Implementing a social compliance management system can be a complex and challenging process. However, there are several steps that companies can take to get started:

• Conduct a social compliance risk assessment: The first step in implementing a social compliance management system is to conduct a risk assessment. This assessment should identify potential social and ethical risks in the supply chain, such as forced labour, child labour, and discrimination.
• Develop policies and procedures: Once potential risks have been identified, companies should develop policies and procedures for addressing these risks. These policies and procedures should be based on international standards, such as the International Labour Organization's conventions and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and local legal and regulatory requirements.
• Implement corrective actions: After policies and procedures have been developed, companies should implement corrective actions to address identified risks. This may involve working with suppliers to improve working conditions, conducting audits to ensure compliance and or conformance, and providing training to employees and suppliers.
• Monitor and measure effectiveness: Finally, companies should monitor and measure the effectiveness of their social compliance management system. This may involve conducting regular internal audits, tracking key performance indicators, and engaging with stakeholders to gather feedback.