German confectionery industry welcomes government’s new supply chain law

It said responsible design of supply and value chains and sustainability are important issues for the German confectionery industry.

German manufacturers of confectionery, branded ice cream and snack items are committed to transparency both nationally and internationally and play a leading role worldwide.

The BDSI said its manufacturers already use 77% cocoa and over 90% palm oil, which are certified according to sustainability standards.

“The most important certification standards of the Fairtrade and Rainforest Alliance set strict requirements for the prevention of abusive child labour and are monitored by the respective organizations on site. Comparable corporate programmes are also regularly checked by independent third parties​,” it said in a statement.

But the BDSI said that small or medium-sized companies cannot be responsible for government deficits in countries from around the world, from which the confectionery industry also obtains raw materials.

Human rights are still not respected, even though these countries have signed the relevant international conventions – and there are insufficient government controls and/or violations are not prosecuted.

The due diligence requirements for companies defined in the new national supply chain law are based on what is possible and what is appropriate- and this must also apply to any future European regulation, the BDSI stated.

"A supply chain law​ must not lead to companies having to withdraw completely from a large number of countries of origin in order to be on the safe side​," said Dr Carsten Bernoth, General Manager of the BDSI.

“Because this harms everyone, the smallholders with their families in many already unstable regions of the world as well as the German confectionery industry, which has been hard hit by the coronavirus crisis.​

"Instead, companies should be encouraged to look for solutions together with suppliers, agricultural cooperatives or within the industry."​