**London**: FoodChain ID and &Wider have teamed up to improve monitoring of worker conditions in the food sector, responding to stringent EU regulations. This collaboration aims to support compliance with the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive and enhance transparency within global supply chains.
FoodChain ID and &Wider have entered into a partnership aimed at enhancing the monitoring and auditing of worker conditions within the food industry. This collaboration is particularly relevant as global brands increasingly seek to address and mitigate potential worker issues within their supply chains. The urgency is underscored by the European Union’s (EU) regulatory frameworks, which impose stringent requirements for due diligence and transparency in corporate practices.
The EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD) mandates that large companies identify and rectify adverse human rights impacts and environmental issues associated with their operations and those of their suppliers. In addition, the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) requires businesses engaged in the EU market to disclose and audit a variety of social impact areas, raising the stakes for corporate responsibility.
FoodChain ID, a provider of certification services and technology to the agriculture and food sector, aims to leverage its extensive experience in sustainability and auditing within this partnership. &Wider, a due diligence data firm that focuses on worker engagement and responsible sourcing, offers scalable technology that enhances visibility into working conditions across supply chains.
Dr. Chetan Parmar, Senior Vice President of Technical Services for Europe and Asia at FoodChain ID, commented on the importance of the partnership, stating, “FoodChain ID brings over 25 years of experience in sustainability services and auditing to our partnership with &Wider to help companies comply with the CSDDD and CSRD. In fact, the CSRD mandates audits to ensure the credibility and accuracy of social metrics disclosed by companies.”
This partnership will enable companies to conduct targeted social audits through data gathered from surveys measuring working conditions. The initiative is expected to bolster the risk assessment capacities of businesses, alert them to supplier-related issues early, and provide ongoing data to support Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) objectives. Lea Esterhuizen, founder and CEO of &Wider, highlighted the critical need for robust data management systems under the new EU directives, emphasising, “The &Wider methodology exposes working conditions along the global supply chains to protect workers and businesses.”
As companies navigate the landscape of supply chain digitization and its implications for corporate social responsibility, this partnership exemplifies the evolving approach towards supplier relationship management (SRM) essential for digital success. Enhanced supplier relationships not only promote compliance with regulatory frameworks but also drive revenue by building stronger, more resilient supply chains.
This collaboration underscores a broader recognition of the importance of maintaining transparent and accountable supplier networks, which are increasingly seen as integral to safeguarding both practical business operations and ethical standards in global trade.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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