05.03.

PRESS RELEASE - Supply Chain Initiative revises Rules of Governance and Operations

The Supply Chain Initiative (SCI) has revised its Rules of Governance and Operations to incorporate the role of the recently appointed independent Chair and to strengthen the dispute resolution mechanism.

05 March 2018, Brussels - The signatory associations of the Supply Chain Initiative (SCI) have revised its Rules of Governance and Operations following the appointment of Mr Michael Hutchings as the independent Chair of the SCI in October 2017.

The revised rules incorporate the roles and responsibilities of the independent Chair and clarify in particular the aggregated dispute mechanism, which allows a group of companies, or an association acting on their behalf, to bring a cross-border dispute to the attention of the Chair, who will seek to resolve the issue in full respect of confidentiality and the SCI principles of good practice in vertical relationships in the food supply chain.  

“The revision of the Rules of Governance and Operations is an important step towards formalising and strengthening the dispute resolution mechanism, which is one of the core benefits of the SCI to its members. It also allows me to issue guidance and recommendations with the aim of further promoting good and efficient practices in the supply chain“ says Mr Hutchings.

The rules have also seen important updates in terms of simplifying existing requirements for companies signing-up to the SCI including for SMEs who can benefit from a lighter procedure. The relationship with national dialogue platforms has been clarified further so as to ensure a coordinated approach across Europe. The rules also introduce provisions on the financing of the SCI as well as procedures for reviewing the Initiative.

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For more information contact: 

Fabienne Eckert
SCI Manager
E-mail :  info@supplychaininitiative.eu
Tel :      +32 474 07 87 09

Note to the Editors: 

The Supply Chain Initiative was launched in September 2013 by a group of EU-level associations representing today the food and drink industry (FoodDrinkEurope), the branded goods manufacturers (AIM- European Brands Association), the retail sector (EuroCommerce, the European Retail Round Table-ERRT, and Independent Retail Europe), and agricultural traders (CELCAA). 

The SCI aims to implement and enforce a set of good practice principles agreed by 11 EU-level organisations, including Copa-Cogeca. Companies subscribe on a voluntary basis to the principle of good practice and a set of commitments to ensure fair treatment of all partners in the food supply chain. The SCI is designed to ensure that registered companies respect their commitments towards other market operators and benefit from a set of dispute resolutions options.

For any questions on the Principles of Good Practice or past activities of the SCI, please contact the organisations.