2024 Sustainability 101: A Webinar Series for ASTA Members, Part III Putting Sustainability Into Practice: Certifications and Company Initiatives
ASTA partnered with the Sustainable Spice Initiative (SSI) to offer an interactive three-part webinar series in spring 2024 on sustainability essentials, namely, how to define sustainability in the spice industry. The sessions address how sustainability is tied to the economic paradigm and the advantages of embracing sustainability, including its profound impact on financial performance and brand enhancement. The series explores insights into global and U.S. sustainability concerns and why and how ASTA members should prioritize sustainability as a risk management tool and regulatory compliance strategy and offer practical insights into navigating sustainability certifications and industry standards. Part III, Putting Sustainability Into Practice: Certifications and Company Initiatives, was presented by Matthew Ford, Growth Sectors Account Manager, Rainforest Alliance, Daniel Montes, Business Development Executive, Control Union, and Amber Sciligo, Director of Science Programs, The Organic Center. This session addresses the following questions: What is the importance of sustainability certification and verification schemes? What are the most commonly used and recognized sustainability certifications, schemes, and frameworks? What are the commonalities and differences between organic and sustainability certifications and standards? How do you choose the sustainability certifications, standards, and schemes that fit your requirements and business model? Where and how can you start your sustainability journey?
Membership Required
A valid ASTA membership is required to access this page. Please use the form below to log in with your ASTA member account.
Log in
Not a member yet? Click here to learn about joining ASTA today.
Related Resources
2024 Sustainability 101: A Webinar Series for ASTA Members, Part II A Pathway to Sustainability for the American Spice Industry
ASTA partnered with the Sustainable Spice Initiative (SSI) to offer an interactive three-part webinar series in spring 2024 on sustainability essentials, namely, how to define sustainability in the spice industry. The sessions address how sustainability is tied to the economic paradigm and the advantages of embracing sustainability, including its profound impact on financial performance and brand enhancement. The series explores insights into global and U.S. sustainability concerns and why and how ASTA members should prioritize sustainability as a risk management tool and regulatory compliance strategy. It also offers practical insights into navigating sustainability certifications and industry standards. Part II - A Pathway to Sustainability for the American Spice Industry, presented by Kai Robertson, Senior Corporate Sustainability Advisor, addresses: Why should ASTA members care about sustainability? Sustainability as a risk management/mitigation tool. How sustainability can help with regulatory compliance – MRLs, heavy metal, forced labor, traceability, resilience. Sustainability as a differentiator – brand protection, brand building, storytelling, building customer and consumer intimacy. How can sustainability help attract and retain talent and improve organizational engagement levels? What can ASTA members do?
ASTA Responsible Sourcing Guide
ASTA’s Responsible Sourcing Guide and Checklist are designed to provide a template for companies looking to implement a responsible sourcing program as it relates to forced labor and environmental sustainability. The related Checklist is designed to align with the principles outlined in the Guide in a way that can be used to evaluate supplier performance in each area. The Guide and Checklist were updated in March 2025 and supersede the previous version from January 2015.
