Responsibly Sourced Soy

Most stakeholders (NGOs, the food retailers/supply chain and consumers) are in general agreement that alongside palm oil and cattle production, soybean cultivation and production is one of the main commodities driving global deforestation.

When forests are cleared or burnt, carbon which has been previously drawn down into the trees is released back into the atmosphere, mostly as carbon dioxide. The build-up of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is driving global warming because it traps heat in the lower atmosphere. Carbon dioxide levels are now at their highest levels in human history. Consumers are heeding warnings about climate change and all countries adopted the Paris agreement. 

The retail supply chain is responding rapidly to these changing consumer expectations including keeping costs low, and becoming more adaptable, profitable and sustainable. A growing list of retailers have made significant pledges for climate commitments and expect their supply chain partners to act. 

One possible problem when looking at a certified supply chain is the lack of recognition between standards. It is not possible to mix soy form certification A with soy from Certification B.  This is problematic if you need to change suppliers, due to supply problems, geopolitical issues, process rises etc. Equally it can cause a problem if you have more than one source of soy, and each carries a different certification mark.

As the soy certification schemes draw their basis from the Basel Criteria for Responsible Soy, we at BM TRADA believe that they should be seen as largely equal and therefore accept multiple farm level certifications under our Responsibly Sourced Soy umbrella scheme. As long as we can evidence that they are non GM and come from acceptable inputs, then soy products can be bought, used and sold as Responsibly Sourced Soy. Thus giving consumer confidence, allowing a claim that is easily understood and without shackling a business into only one supply chain.

With this in mind, BM TRADA has created a Responsibly Sourced Soy certification scheme which allows agricultural products to be traced back through the supply chain.

About the BM TRADA Responsibly Sourced Soy certification scheme

The certification scheme allows the relevant products to be traced back through the supply chain to farms and plantations. Currently our schemes cover soy and cocoa. However, if you need to speak to a certification expert about another commodity, please contact us via the contact form above.   

Who needs BM TRADA Responsible Sourced Certification? 

Sustainable supply chain certification is applicable to all companies in the supply chain that take ownership of and handle the product. It provides evidence that the product originates from well-managed, certified sources and verifies that they are not mixed with products from un-certified sources, at any point in the supply chain, except under strict management controls. 

There are two models of supply chain that allow to assure the traceability: 

• Segregation - this means that certified soy is kept separate throughout the supply chain
• Mass balance - this means certified soy is mixed in with conventional soy but monitored administratively.

The benefits of BM TRADA Responsibly Sourced certification

BM TRADA Responsibly Sourced certification provides credible evidence that your supply chain is secure and traceable to ensure the sustainability of your products. Specifically, it will: 

• Demonstrate your commitment to good agricultural practices and responsible sourcing
• Enables you to access new market, retain and win new retail customers who are increasingly specifying certification of their suppliers
• Ensure the absence of genetically modified soy in human food ingredients (where required)
• Improves your operational efficiency, reducing costs and increasing profitability
• Demonstrates good corporate social responsibility, protects your business and safeguards your reputation. 

Our certification experts will guide you through the process.