Building on AmSpec’s recent announcement as a signatory of the GAFTA Sustainability Pledge, Dr Gillian Dagan, Vice President – Business Assurance & Sustainability, shares her perspective in the latest edition of Gaftaworld.
Could you tell us about AmSpec, the services you offer, commodities you cover, and locations for your services?
AmSpec is a global inspection, testing, certification, and sustainability services company operating in more than 60 countries with a network of laboratories, inspection offices, and technical experts. We provide independent assurance that gives buyers, sellers, financiers, and regulators confidence in the quality, quantity, safety, and sustainability of commodities moving through global supply chains.
Agriculture is one of our core sectors. We support the trade of grains, oilseeds, vegetable oils, animal feed, pulses, fertilizers, and other agricultural commodities through cargo inspection, sampling, and laboratory testing. We also provide certification and verification services that help companies demonstrate compliance with sustainability, traceability, and responsible sourcing requirements.
Beyond agriculture, AmSpec has extensive expertise across the energy and chemicals sectors, supporting petroleum products, biofuels, renewable feedstocks, chemicals, metals, and emerging low-carbon value chains. This cross-sector experience allows us to help customers navigate increasingly interconnected commodity markets where agricultural products are playing a growing role in renewable fuels and the bioeconomy.
Why did AmSpec decide to join the Gafta Sustainability Pledge?
Joining the Gafta Sustainability Pledge reflects our commitment to supporting the grain and feed industry as it evolves. We see sustainability not as a separate initiative but as another element of quality that must be measured objectively, verified independently, and implemented in a practical way that supports trade rather than creating unnecessary barriers.
Sustainability means different things to different businesses. What does it mean for AmSpec?
For AmSpec, sustainability is about providing confidence through evidence.
Our role is to help clients demonstrate their performance through independent inspection, testing, certification, and verification.
That includes supporting responsible sourcing, traceability, greenhouse gas verification, chain-of-custody programs, sustainable agriculture certifications, and compliance with evolving regulatory requirements. Increasingly, our customers need reliable data that can withstand scrutiny from regulators, investors, customers, and consumers.
As an inspection, testing and certification company, you have a unique perspective across global supply chains. Where do you see your organization contributing most to more sustainable trade?
Commodity supply chains are becoming increasingly complex, and traders need optionality. AmSpec provides sustainability certifications and verifications that fulfill regulatory needs in markets across the globe. That means traders can move products without restriction.
Why do you think industry initiatives like the Gafta Sustainability Pledge are important?
No single company can transform global supply chains on its own.
Industry initiatives help establish common expectations, encourage collaboration, and create consistency across international markets. That consistency reduces uncertainty for traders and provides greater confidence for customers and regulators.
AmSpec will be hosting Gafta at the 2026 European Commodities Exchange, where we hope to discuss various topics with our members. What sustainability conversations are you hearing most from the industry?
Across agriculture, energy, and chemicals alike, we are seeing increasing demand for certifications that allow companies to substantiate claims with confidence. Clients want to understand how to extract value out of their sustainability efforts.
Looking ahead, what do you think will be some of the biggest sustainability priorities for the grain and feed trade over the next few years?
I believe four priorities will stand out.
First, enhanced traceability across increasingly complex global supply chains.
Second, greater confidence in sustainability data through standardized reporting and independent verification.
Third, continued focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions throughout the value chain, including improved measurement of emissions associated with production, transportation, storage, and processing.
Finally, regulatory preparedness. As sustainability regulations continue to evolve across different jurisdictions, companies will need systems that allow them to demonstrate compliance efficiently while maintaining the flexibility to serve multiple international markets.
Finally, if you had one message for other companies thinking about sustainability, what would it be?
Markets increasingly reward companies that can demonstrate transparency, reliability, and accountability. Customers, investors, and regulators all want confidence that sustainability claims are backed by credible evidence.
The organizations that build robust data, strong traceability, and independent assurance into their operations today will be better positioned to compete tomorrow.