Working together
for sustainable
supply chains
FOREIGN TRADE ASSOCIATION
Achieving a strong global economy of
international trade goes hand-in-hand with
sustainable and responsible supply chain
practices. FTA unites over 1,900 retailers,
importers and brands to defend our values of
international trade and offers practical solutions
towards more sustainable supply chains.
As our members, we support these businesses
by offering two key services that provide a
holistic approach to empower them and their
1,900+
37
MEMBERS IN
COUNTRIES
€1 trillion
business partners. These services come in
the form of our International Trade Policy (ITP)
service and our two sustainability initiatives,
united under FTA Sustainability.
Based at the heart of the European Union in
Brussels, FTA has offices in Hong Kong, Dhaka
and Mumbai, as well as eight contact groups
across Europe. A global presence for a global
mission.
40
YEARS’
ADVOCATING
FREE TRADE
10+
YEARS’ EXPERIENCE
IN SUPPORTING SUSTAINABLE
SUPPLY CHAINS
REPRESENTING TURNOVER
12
MILLION +
WORKERS REACHED
ANNUALLY
N T
FOR PROFIT
GLOBAL BUSINESSDRIVEN
ORGANISATION
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
MEMBERS
FTA SUSTAINABILITY
FTA Sustainability embodies the joint operations of the Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI) and
Business Environmental Performance Initiative (BEPI). Under these two initiatives, FTA is able to support
businesses on their journey towards social compliance and environmental improvements within global
supply chains.
Operating under integrated databases, BSCI and BEPI offer an international network of recognised service
providers, as well as improvement and monitoring tools.
Tools such as the FTA Sustainability Intelligence Dashboard, which offers all key sustainability data in
one place, are indispensable for companies wishing to track social and environmental supply chain
performance.
Through an integrated service that targets both environmental and social practices, we offer supports
companies in keeping up with the speed of globalisation and the rapid transformation of trade.
BUSINESS SOCIAL COMPLIANCE INITIATIVE
BSCI is a leading supply chain management
system supporting companies to improve
working conditions in factories and farms in
their global supply chains. How? By offering
them a broad range of tools and activities to
monitor compliance, train, share information
and engage with key actors in supply chains.
‘FTA, as a business association, has
embedded the UN Guiding Principles
into BSCI’s Code of Conducts since
its very inception and continues to
uphold human rights as a core value
that underpins its activities and
ensures sustainable supply chains.’
Dante Pesce, Chair of the UN Working Group
on Business and Human Rights
Under the management of BSCI, more than
20,000 social assessments take place
annually, engaging over 41,000 factories and
farms worldwide.
The BSCI Code of Conduct draws on important
international labour standards, laid out by
the United Nations and International Labor
Organization, to define the principles that our
participants and their business partners strive
to implement.
Developed after more than a year’s worth
of intensive consultation with stakeholders
including NGOs and other expert groups, the
BSCI Code of Conduct promotes two core
concepts; due diligence and cascade effect.
Through these two concepts, we advise
companies on how to proactively identify and
address the human impact of their activities
and to share responsible business values
throughout their supply chain.
11 principles aiming at the highest
labour protection
THE RIGHTS OF FREEDOM OF
ASSOCIATION AND COLLECTIVE
BARGAINING
NO DISCRIMINATION
FAIR REMUNERATION
DECENT WORKING
HOURS
OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
AND SAFETY
NO CHILD LABOUR
SPECIAL PROTECTION
FOR YOUNG WORKERS
NO PRECARIOUS
EMPLOYMENT
NO BONDED LABOUR
PROTECTION OF
THE ENVIRONMENT
ETHICAL BUSINESS
BEHAVIOUR
BUSINESS ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE INITIATIVE
BEPI enables companies to manage and
improve the environmental performance of their
global supply chains through a supported and
tailored management system approach.
By using industry best practices alongside
practical technical expertise, BEPI supports
companies in developing supply chain visibility
and meeting the increasing environmental
regulatory and stakeholder requirements. How?
Through a single system and methodology
involving training, workshops and personalised
support informed by an intricate network of
local experts.
‘After starting the training I realised
it’s not an audit, it’s something
completely different that can really
help our company. The benefit goes
further than simply financial. Sure
we use less water, less electricity,
but I think people really started
to understand how important the
environment is.’
Claudius Ruegsegger, General Director,
Fontina Vietnam Co., Ltd
The basis of the BEPI framework is built on the
Global Social Compliance Programme (GSCP)
Environmental Reference Tools and is also
aligned with leading environmental standards
such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI).
The BEPI system helps producers identify
and prioritise key environmental areas to
be addressed. One such area is pollution
prevention and chemicals. Through the Supply
Chain Chemical Management Module, BEPI
provides participants with the platform and
tools to communicate with their producers in all
tiers and improve their chemical management.
11 Environmental Performance Areas
INTERNATIONAL TRADE POLICY
Through our International Trade Policy
(ITP) service, we promote global trade
and sustainability interests at the highest
international policy level.
With almost 40-years of advocacy experience,
FTA has cultivated strong relations with
decision-makers of international organisations,
European institutions and national
governments, giving us the leverage to
advocate for our members’ business interests
and sustainability goals.
As well as amplifying their voice in the political
process, we are also the eyes and ears of
our members. First-hand information and
personalised exclusive policy updates keep
them prepared ahead of any political decision
that could impact their companies.
Our ITP team also offers in-depth expertise on
legal trade issues. Such was the case during
EU-Vietnam trade negotiations, when FTA’s
contribution proved a major driving force
behind the process to promote an ambitious
conclusion that balanced both trade and
sustainability objectives.
ITP operates within five key
areas:
•
•
•
•
•
International trade policy
Customs & Procedures
Legal Affairs
Environmental & Consumer Affairs
Sustainable Supply Chains
‘FTA lives up to its name as
one of the strongest voices for
international trade in Brussels.
They have throughout my many
years in the Parliament provided
me with the necessary expertise in
a policy area which is consumed by
politics, but full of technicalities.’
Christofer Fjellner, Member of the European
Parliament
CONTACT US
FTA LOCAL OFFICES
FTA Brussels
Avenue De Cortenbergh 172
1000 Brussels – Belgium
Phone: +32-2-762 05 51
Email: info@fta-intl.org
Through local representatives in FTA’s
top sourcing countries, we leverage the
impact of our activities directly at the site
of action.
China – Hong Kong: Joyce Chau
joyce.chau@fta-intl.org
Bangladesh: Daniel Seidl
Daniel.siedl@fta-intl.org
India: Natasha Mehta Majumdar
natasha.mehta-majumdar@fta-intl.org
Turkey: Müge Tuna
muge.tuna@fta-intl.org
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