RTRS: driving change through ISEAL community membership
At RTRS, we are proud to be part of the ISEAL Community, a global membership organization for credible sustainability standards. As part of our ongoing commitment, RTRS’s Technical Unit Manager, Ana Laura Andreani, attended ISEAL Member’s Week in Cologne, Germany, from October 14-18, while our Global Executive Director, Luiza Bruscato, participated in the ISEAL Board and Member CEOs Retreat, in London on October 29-30.
Each year, ISEAL Members’ Week brings together ISEAL members from around the world to share insights, address challenges, and foster collective action. With approximately 100 participants, including technical experts and leaders, this event allows RTRS to actively contribute to collaborative solutions that enhance the effectiveness and scalability of sustainability practices. During these discussions, we also share common challenges, explore potential solutions, and learn from the experiences and processes that others have undertaken.
During the ISEAL Board and Member CEOs Retreat, Luiza Bruscato joined leaders from various organizations to explore joint initiatives. This retreat serves as a platform where CEOs of ISEAL members collaborate to drive positive change and strengthen sustainability practices across sectors. It plays a vital role in advancing ISEAL’s Codes of Good Practice, which guide and support sustainability systems in maximizing their impact.
ISEAL Membership: a key step for RTRS
Being part of the ISEAL Community has been crucial for RTRS.
In June 2010, RTRS subscribed to ISEAL Insight to strengthen the credibility and transparency of its management practices. In 2020, RTRS became an ISEAL Community Member, making it the first soy certification system to meet the ISEAL Community Member Requirements, a significant milestone in our field.
ISEAL Community Members are committed to improving their systems, building trust, and demonstrating transparency by engaging in ISEAL’s learning, collaboration, and innovation activities.
This membership has had a profound impact on RTRS. As part of this journey, new procedures and requirements have been developed, all referencing ISEAL’s Codes of Good Practice. Through ISEAL’s compliance program, which we joined in 2022, RTRS is undergoing independent evaluations to achieve ISEAL Code Compliant status.
For RTRS, being an ISEAL Community Member goes beyond recognition. Our participation in events such as ISEAL’s Member’s Week, the CEOs Retreat, and the ISEAL Global Sustainability Symposium, which we attended last June in Baden, Switzerland, enables us to stay aligned with global best practices, leverage the latest knowledge and tools, and actively contribute to the development of sustainability standards. Additionally, these events provide valuable opportunities for collaboration and learning with our peers, fostering a shared commitment to improving sustainability practices across sectors.
By being part of this global community, RTRS gains invaluable insights and practices that help us continuously improve our certification system. The resources we dedicate to these initiatives ensure that we remain at the forefront of certification best practices.
The RTRS team, especially the Technical Unit, plays a central role in this process. Their ongoing efforts to align with ISEAL’s standards ensure that RTRS remains a leading player in the sustainable certification landscape.
Our goal is clear: to achieve ISEAL Code Compliant status, further cementing RTRS’s commitment to responsible soy production and sustainability. This journey requires dedication and teamwork, and we are proud to be part of this process alongside ISEAL and our global community.
