Amsterdam, the Netherlands, 22 May 2025
Together with our partner Certification Bodies, Accreditation Bodies, members of the independent Board of Stakeholders, and Advisory Committees, Foundation FSSC held the annual FSSC Insights Event in Amsterdam on 21 and 22 May 2025.
Over the years, the Insights Event has developed into a global meeting to connect, engage, and exchange knowledge with our partners. The FSSC Management Board’s opening and closing remarks framed an inspiring program of presentations, panel discussions, and an interactive workshop.
This year’s event revolved around the theme “The Power of Management Systems,” exploring how, in partnership with our stakeholders, we can use that force to deliver an impact and create a better world.
Matt Kovac, CEO of Food Industry Asia (FIA), elaborated in his keynote on the importance of management systems to Asia’s growing role in the global food system. He discussed advancing food safety and sustainability and shared inspiring success stories about small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Packaging was highlighted during the event as an essential component of the food supply chain’s integrity and safety. Guest speaker Johannes Bergmair from the World Packaging Organization (WPO) elaborated on the balance between packaging and food waste targets, followed by a panel discussion about packaging and management systems from different angles.
Karin van den Houten-Bogaers (HEINEKEN) inspired the audience by showing how management systems thinking can systematically address social and human rights risks, while simultaneously preparing for legislative changes. The connecting panel discussion of five sustainability and business development experts continued the topic, highlighting the advantages of FSSC 24000 certification.
The Power of Management Systems also extends to the value of data and technology. A growing use of AI in the consumer goods industry offers challenges and opportunities. Susanne Visscher-Biesheuvel from Microsoft took a deep dive into AI trends and practices, presenting six drivers for success. Insights Event participants then implemented her theories through the practical workshop on a SWOT analysis of AI.
Moreover, the FSSC Insights Events 2025 addressed capacity building for SMEs with the launch of our Development Program Version 2, which includes updated requirements. Regional representative Juliani Arimura also shared some motivating Conforming Organization stories from Latin America.
Other notable program elements included the presentations of Linde Reus from the UN Global Compact, exploring the 10 principles connected with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and Gabor Molnar from UNIDO, emphasizing the importance of public-private partnerships in food safety. FSSC is an active member of the UN Global Compact and has a long-term giving back partnership with UNIDO.
Foundation FSSC would like to thank all attendees for their invaluable contributions during the event’s numerous interactions. We will continue to use the shared input to improve our processes and develop beyond certification alongside our partners.
About FSSC
Foundation FSSC is a global, independent Certification Scheme owner based in the Netherlands. Since 2009, we have provided trust and impact to the consumer goods industry as a non-profit provider of ISO-aligned management systems. With our Certification Schemes, FSSC 22000 for food safety and FSSC 24000 for social sustainability, we support the global consumer goods industry and related supply chains to reach food safety targets and sustainability objectives.
FSSC’s vision is to create a better world through our Certification Schemes, which support Certified Organizations in implementing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
