An update on COVID-19

19th March 2020

As COVID-19 has quickly developed into a global pandemic, we want to update you on the measures that Bonsucro is taking in this unprecedented situation.

As advised by the UK Government, we have stopped all international and domestic travel. In addition, all our staff are currently working from home. We aim to work normally and maintain continuity for all our members and partners. However, there may be some very minor disruptions as we settle into a new routine, please bear with us.

The phones in our London office have been redirected, but the best way to contact us is via email or Skype. Most of our regional teams already work remotely and they are available using the usual communications channels.

All staff are carefully following the advice issued by their local Government.

We hope that you are all staying safe and that this situation hasn’t caused you too much stress or anxiety. In times like this, we must work together and support one another as much as we can. If you need anything or if you have any questions, please let us know.

Audits

Bonsucro is liaising with licensed certification bodies to evaluate how to mitigate its impact on existing and potential Bonsucro certified clients due to be audited between March and June 2020. We are considering requests for desktop auditing and postponement of audits. All requests must be discussed with your certification bodies and they will contact Bonsucro. For Bonsucro members and potential members due to be audited after June 2020, we expect audits to be carried out as normal, however, we will continuously monitor the situation and act accordingly.

As the situation continues to evolve, Bonsucro will work with its licensed certification bodies to evaluate the impact that disruption caused by COVID-19 may have on compliance of certificate holders.

Should you have any question about your audit, please contact your certification body directly.

Production Standard Revision

The public consultation for revisions to the Production Standard will now be conducted online. The consultation period will start on 4 May and be extended to three months to allow as many stakeholders as possible to take part to the consultation under these exceptional circumstances. A timetable for the consultations in English, Spanish and Portuguese will be available soon. Bonsucro will share these via email when they have been finalised and will be available on our website.

Events

Bonsucro Global Week 2020 has been postponed until March 2021. All tickets have been automatically transferred for the 2021 event and refunds are being offered to those that request them. All ticket holders were notified on 4 March. All our other in-person events and workshops have been suspended.

Board of Directors meeting

Bonsucro’s next Board of Director’s meeting was due to take place in Mexico next week. The meeting will still go ahead, taking place virtually.