Reporting standardisation
Currently, there is a lack of universally accepted standards for reporting on Food Loss and Waste (FLW), creating a pressing need for transparent and comparable methodologies. This gap inhibits effective comparative reporting aligned with the global Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12.3. Recognizing this challenge, various international organizations, including the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Resources Institute (WRI), the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the International Organization for Standardisation (ISO) as well as Wageningen University and Research, among others, have undertaken efforts to standardise FLW reporting.
In 2022, FAO took a significant step by publishing a "Voluntary Code of Conduct for Food Loss and Waste Reduction." This comprehensive code outlines guiding principles, actions to address secondary and systemic causes of FLW, and practices to tackle direct causes. It also provides a framework for implementation, monitoring, and evaluation. Collaborating with the Codex Alimentarius Commission, FAO offers guidelines on Good Agricultural Practices and Good Manufacturing Practices, crucial for reducing FLW across production and supply chains.
ISO's contribution to FLW reduction is evident in ISO 22000, the "Food Safety Management" norm, which offers a set of standards promoting safe food supply chains. Notably, this standard has been recognized for its efficiency in enhancing food quality and minimizing waste. Additionally, ISO 50001, focusing on "Energy Management Systems," is expected to play a role in FLW reduction by adopting a circular approach to food production, storage, and transportation chains.
In response to the need for dedicated standardisation, a technical committee was established in 2021 to develop a comprehensive standard for Food Loss and Waste. This future standard aims to provide a framework for organizations throughout the food chain to actively and effectively measure and reduce FLW. A working document (ISO/WD 20001) has been initiated for the development and utilization of management system standards geared towards minimizing Food Loss and Waste across the food value chain.
Wageningen University & Research has developed a pragmatic and integrated methodology for monitoring FLW, analyzing its causes, and designing interventions. This tool not only facilitates understanding of causes but also allows farmers to project the economic benefits of implementing specific interventions for FLW reduction in their chains. For more in-depth information about this tool, please consult our Designing Food Loss Intervention page.
Want to know more about how to specify your objectives and quantify FLW please view the Quantification Tool.