Providing trust and impact for social sustainability with FSSC 24000
FSSC 24000 is the global audit and certification Scheme for Social Management Systems, aligned with the ISO Management System approach and the ISO Harmonized Structure.
What is FSSC 24000?
FSSC 24000 is a globally recognized certification scheme for Social Management Systems. The Certification Scheme helps consumer goods organizations achieve social sustainability and performance requirements.
The scheme aligns with the ISO Management System approach and ISO Harmonized Structure, giving businesses a clear framework to demonstrate and verify their social responsibility commitments.
Benefits of FSSC 24000
Foundation FSSC and our stakeholders want to make a social impact and contribute to the SDGs.
Globally, problems related to human rights are increasing rather than decreasing. Through the FSSC 24000 Scheme, we strive to improve labor relationships, health & safety at work, and work & business ethics with a management system approach that drives continuous improvement on critical social issues.
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Strengthen Your Social Management Systems with FSSC 24000
The FSSC 24000 certification Scheme for Social Management Systems targets an organization’s internal systems and incorporates the internationally recognized, independent standard PAS 24000: Specification for Social Management Systems that includes requirements for social performance.
It enables organizations to adopt a Social Management System that assists them in improving their overall labor-related social performance and applying due diligence in their supply chain management.
ISO-aligned Scheme for Social Management Systems
FSSC 24000 is an audit and certification Scheme for Social Management Systems that aligns with the ISO Management System approach and the ISO Harmonized Structure. It helps organizations improve their management system and thus protect their brands, drive business impact, contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and help create a better world.
Why is being aligned with ISO so important?
ISO Management System standards help structure, focus, and drive continuous improvement in an organization – resulting in high-impact business systems.
FSSC 24000 aligns with the ISO Harmonized Structure, facilitating integration with other ISO Management Systems (modular IMS framework). Organizations with existing management systems, such as the Food Safety Certification Scheme FSSC 22000, can integrate the same approach toward meeting their social objectives and performance.
SSCI-Recognition
In 2024, the FSSC 24000 Scheme for Social Sustainability Management System Certification was successfully evaluated and qualified against the Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative (SSCI) Benchmarking Requirements for Processing and Manufacturing. In achieving SSCI Recognition, FSSC 24000 demonstrates leadership in the effort to build credibility among sustainability standards worldwide.
The Consumer Goods Forum and external stakeholders, such as supply chain and sustainability experts, intergovernmental organizations, and NGOs, set the Social and Scheme Management Criteria for benchmarking third-party social compliance auditing and monitoring certification schemes.
SSCI Recognition facilitates the global acceptance of FSSC 24000 among those organizations that adopt the SSCI principles in the same way that GFSI recognition of FSSC 22000 Scheme protects food safety.
Continuous improvement for Social Performance
The FSSC 24000 Scheme provides a strategic approach incorporating the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle and risk-based thinking. This ensures the identification and control of social risk and continuous improvement. The PDCA process demonstrates corporate responsibility and facilitates improving Social Management Systems and performance, thus driving impact.
Trusted and Robust Audits
Built on the success of the Integrity Program of FSSC 22000, the trustworthiness of the Integrity Program for FSSC 24000 is assured. The Scheme encapsulates continuous monitoring and covers all licensed Certification Body activities to ensure compliance with Scheme requirements. The overarching principles of the FSSC 24000 Integrity Program will ensure trusted brand assurance to the consumer goods industry.
Only licensed FSSC 24000 Certification Bodies are allowed to deliver certification to the Scheme. The FSSC 24000 Scheme sets out the requirements for Certification Bodies, including accreditation to ISO/IEC 17021-1 (management system certification). Accredited certification ensures a rigorous and consistent approach to audit delivery, resulting in trusted third-party certification.
Transparent Governance Structure
The FSSC 24000 Scheme is managed by Foundation FSSC and governed by an independent Board of Stakeholders comprising representatives from sectors across the consumer goods industry and related supply chain partners.
To ensure industry transparency and involvement, an Advisory Committee makes recommendations regarding technical aspects and Scheme revisions. The Advisory Committee reports to the Board of Stakeholders.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is FSSC 24000?
FSSC 24000 is a globally recognized certification scheme for Social Management Systems created to assist the consumer goods industry meet social sustainability and performance requirements in both food and non-food sectors.
The scheme aligns with the ISO Management System approach and ISO Harmonized Structure, providing organizations with a structured framework for demonstrating social sustainability through verifiable and auditable processes.
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Is FSSC 24000 recognized internationally?
Yes. FSSC 24000 is recognized by the Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative, approved by the International Accreditation Forum, and accepted worldwide.
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Can FSSC 24000 integrate with other management systems?
Absolutely. As the first and only ISO-aligned scheme for social management system certification, FSSC 24000 seamlessly integrates with other ISO standards including ISO 9001 (Quality), ISO 14001 (Environmental Management), and FSSC 22000 (Food Safety Management).
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How does certification enhance my organization’s visibility?
Certified organizations are listed on the publicly available register on the FSSC website, enhancing your visibility to stakeholders and customers.
