GFSI Benchmarks the Netherlands-Based FSSC Scheme

The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) is a non-profit making foundation created in May 2000 and managed by CIES. Following a number of food safety scares, a group of international retailers identified the need to enhance food safety, ensure consumer protection and strengthen consumer confidence. They also recognized that harmonising worldwide food safety standards would increase transparency and efficiency in the supply chain as well as cutting costs. GFSI was launched to promote convergence between (and avoid the proliferation of) food safety standards by developing a benchmarking process. GFSI conducts no auditing or certification, but benchmarks existing standards against agreed food safety criteria that are based on industry best practice and sound science.

Under the umbrella of GFSI, 7 major retailers (Carrefour, Tesco, Metro, Migros, Ahold, Wal-Mart and Delhaize) have come together. By their common acceptance of any of the GFSI benchmarked schemes, they make an important contribution to reducing the duplication of audits. Up to now five schemes have been benchmarked: BRC, IFS, Dutch HACCP, SQF 2000 Level 2, and SQF 1000. However, on 27th May, GFSI announced another key milestone in their harmonisation efforts: the Dutch based Foundation for Food Safety Certification (FSSC) scheme has now been benchmarked by GFSI and granted conditional recognition.

For further information see:
http://www.myciesnet.com/gfsijoomla/gfsifiles/FSSC_PRESS_RELEASE_27th_MAY.pdf