Foodlaw-Reading

Dr David Jukes, The University of Reading, UK

..... ..... ..... ..... ..... .....

Food Law News - EU - 2021

Commission News Item, 5 July 2021

SUSTAINABILITY - Farm to Fork Strategy: 65 companies and associations sign the EU Code of Conduct on Responsible Food Business and Marketing Practices

EU Code of Conduct on Responsible Food Business and Marketing Practices

A copy of the Code is available on this site (click on image).

Today, the Commission, alongside industry stakeholders, officially launched the EU Code of Conduct on Responsible Food Business and Marketing Practices, another deliverable under the Commission's Farm to Fork Strategy.

This Code is an essential part of the EU's efforts to increase the availability and affordability of healthy and sustainable food options that help reduce our overall environmental footprint.  It has been developed with EU associations and companies, with active involvement and input from other stakeholders, including international organizations, NGOs, trade unions and trade associations, and together with the European Commission services. Associations and companies in the food sector that sign the code commit to accelerate their contribution to a sustainable transition. With their pledges, they endorse the objectives set out in the Code and encourage similar companies to also participate.

Two levels of commitments are included in the scheme:

On the day of the launch of the Code, 65 signatories (26 food manufacturers, 14 food retailers, 1 from the food service sector, 24 associations) become the first pioneering companies and associations (link to full list of signatories).

More EU associations and companies in the food sector are invited to join the Code of Conduct which is perceived to be a game-changing solution. Its multi-stakeholder dialogue approach may serve as a model for global transformation.

The Code marks the beginning of a dynamic process. The governance of the Code puts in place the tools for collaboration among all actors concerned in order to generate new and more ambitious commitments, partnerships, and stimulate interaction and exchange.

The Commission intends to present the Code in the United Nations' Food Systems Summit later this year.

Members of the College said:

Background

On 26 January 2021, the Commission facilitated discussions amongst a wide variety of stakeholders in the food sector to design an EU Code of Conduct on responsible business and marketing practices as one of the first initiatives to be delivered under the Farm to Fork Strategy.

The Farm to Fork Strategy is an integral part of the European Green Deal. It sets out a long-term strategic vision to transform the way we produce, distribute and consume food. The Code covers all major aspects of food systems' sustainability and reflects the goals and ambitions of the Farm to Fork Strategy and the European Green Deal.

The Commission steers several voluntary initiatives in place or in the pipeline to support the green transition, aiming to ensure that sustainable products are available to consumers on the EU market and that consumers have better information to be able to make informed choices. Taking into account the key role actors in the middle of the food chain – food manufacturers, food retail, and food service -  play both upstream and downstream, it is essential to complement legislative proposals with voluntary, non-regulatory initiatives addressed to pioneers in the industry that are keen to support the green transition. As set out in the Farm to Fork Strategy, the Commission will monitor the commitments and consider legislative measures if progress is insufficient.

For a related news item on this topic, see: 5 July 2021 SUSTAINABILITY - FoodDrinkEurope Signs EU Code of Conduct

For more details, see the Commission page on this topic: Code of Conduct for Responsible Food Business and Marketing Practices


To go to main Foodlaw-Reading Index page, click here.