Insights Webinar FSSC 24000: Ethics and Systems in Action for Trusted Social Compliance
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On 9 February 2026, Foundation FSSC hosted a webinar dedicated to FSSC 24000, on how to build ethical, credible, and accountable social compliance across global supply chains.
FSSC 24000: Social Management System Certification for Decent Work and Human Rights (Webinar Summary)
Elsabe Matthee (Technical Director at FSSC) explained the Certification Scheme requirements, while Ross Nova (CEO and President of APSCA, the professional standards body for independent social compliance auditors) introduced APSCA and its role in social compliance auditing.
RCB International, the first US organization to achieve FSSC 24000 certification, presented its journey, with Kristin Holcomb (Co-Owner) and Robyn Biza (Regulatory Affairs Manager).
The webinar was presented by Colin Morgan (Market Development Director at FSSC).
What is FSSC 24000?
Elsabe Matthee outlined FSSC 24000 as an ISO-aligned social management system Certification Scheme that ensures decent work, meets business ethics requirements, and applies human rights due diligence.
FSSC 24000 covers organizations in the food and non-food manufacturing and processing sectors across the consumer goods industry. The Certification Scheme has been recognized by SSCI and IIAF, is listed on the ITC Standards Map, and accepted by EcoVadis.
Organizations are audited against PAS 24000, social performance criteria covering topics like human rights, forced labour, child labour, and health and safety, and additional scheme requirements.
Click here to find out how to get certified with FSSC 24000.
The Management System Approach
Elsabe explained that FSSC 24000 uses the Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) cycle with leadership and worker participation at its core. She emphasized that the Scheme goes beyond traditional social audits by:
- Combining a comprehensive baseline of controls
- A robust ISO-aligned management system
- Requiring each company to analyze risks associated with its specific activities through risk assessment that adds company-specific controls, complementing baseline requirements.
She noted this approach shifts organizations from audit-driven preparation and ad hoc compliance to ongoing commitment and an embedded social management system.
APSCA: Ensuring Qualified Auditors
Ross Nova introduced APSCA as the governance and certifying body for social compliance auditing. He explained that APSCA operates with 13 employees in five countries, overseeing 84 member firms and over 5,300 member auditors in over 100 countries who conduct almost 200,000 audits per year.
Ross presented APSCA’s competency framework, which includes foundational skills (techniques and procedures auditors must use, such as documentation review and interviewing) and functional knowledge areas (topics like forced labour, child labour, discrimination, and health and safety).
He explained that to become an APSCA certified social compliance auditor (CSCA), individuals must pass a three-part exam: Part 1 is an academic exam with 100 multiple-choice questions requiring 75% to pass, Part 2 includes multiple-choice and short-answer questions in factory scenarios, and Part 3 is a one-on-one interview where examinees practice conducting audits.
He emphasized that FSSC 24000 requires audits to be led by CSCAs. Ross also highlighted APSCA’s ethics enforcement, noting that bribery results in permanent revocation with no opportunity to reapply.
RCB International: First US Certified Organization
Kristin Holcomb introduced RCB International as a wholesale supplier of globally sourced essential oils with emphasis on North American mint oils, supplying the flavour and fragrance market.
Robyn explained their certification journey involved seven steps:
- Planning (including cost comparisons with other schemes)
- Writing policies (updating to include human rights, employee rights, forced labour, workplace health and safety, sustainable procurement, and remediation plans)
- Performing risk assessments
- Checking customer requirements
- Checking regulations
- Implementation (creating a culture of continuous improvement with entire staff participation)
- Receiving certification
Robyn shared their timeline: starting the process in 2024, beginning pre-audit in February 2025, continuing with three more audits, and receiving certification in October 2025.
Scheme Governance and Benefits
Elsabe explained that FSSC 24000 has been benchmarked by SSCI and endorsed by IIAF. She noted that Certification Bodies must be accredited to a management system standard, must be APSCA member firms, and use highly skilled APSCA auditors. FSSC’s Integrity Program provides oversight and monitors Certification Body performance through a unique onboarding program that includes training, mentoring, and monitoring.
She highlighted that the Scheme aligns with modern legislation on environmental and social sustainability reporting and due diligence, such as CSRD and CSDDD. Implementing FSSC 24000 positions organizations to meet emerging social sustainability requirements and demonstrates to buyers that suppliers have structured systems in place for managing social risks, making them lower risk and more credible partners.
Conclusion
The webinar provided a comprehensive overview of FSSC 24000, demonstrating how the Certification Scheme combines ISO-aligned management systems with rigorous social performance criteria and qualified auditors.
With over 500 participants registered, the session highlighted the growing interest in structured approaches to social sustainability. The Q&A session addressed questions about auditor qualifications, Scheme requirements, and implementation strategies.
