Firms, associations and certifiers form Sustainable Supply Chains Coalition

More than 20 companies, certifiers, NGOs and trade bodies have partnered to establish a new EU Sustainable Supply Chains Coalition this week. 

Originally known as the ‘cocoa coalition’, the group officially launched at European Parliament on Tuesday and includes Mars Wrigley, Nestle, Ferrero and the Hershey Company.   

The initial focus of the initiative will be a campaign to safeguard the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which is currently undergoing a review – due to be finalised by the European Commission this month. 

In March, many members of the group signed an open letter urging policymakers not to reopen the EUDR, saying that firms that had prepared to comply with the law would suffer if it was changed at the last minute to cater for those who hadn’t. 

Speaking at the launch of the Sustainable Supply Chains Coalition, Delara Bukhardt, one of the Member of European Parliament overseeing political negotiations on the EUDR, said businesses “are ready to deliver on sustainable supply chains” but they need “certainty” to move forward.  

“The EU’s anti-deforestation rules must be implemented without further delay,” she said. “Anything else would reward those who hold back.”

The new coalition will also focus on other topics relating to more sustainable agri-food and timber supply chains, which members will agree on annually. 

They will engage with EU lawmakers to promote those issues, and work together to develop joint messaging. 

Francesco Tramontin, Ferrero’s vice president of global public affairs, said companies could “only deliver lasting change if we collaborate across the value chain so we can amplify impact, share best practices, and move in the same direction”. 

“By tackling deforestation, climate change and human rights risks, we can safeguard value and ensure thriving and resilient supply chains,” he added.  

Other members of the group include Barry Callebaut, Tony’s Chocolonely, Fairtrade International, the Better Cotton Initiative, the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil, ETG Commodities and Sucden.