European Chicken Commitment
The European Chicken Commitment (ECC) is an initiative developed by leading animal welfare organizations to improve the living conditions of chickens in food production.
As signatories of ECC, Scandic is committed to ensuring that 100% of the chicken we purchase meets ECC criteria by 2026.
To achieve this, we have taken the following steps:
- Updated Sustainable Procurement Guidelines: We have revised our procurement guidelines to favor chicken produced in compliance with ECC standards.
- Supplier Assessment: We have assessed the status of our current chicken suppliers concerning ECC and favored those planning to transition to ECC standards. In markets where ECC-compliant chicken is not yet available, we always source local chicken.
- Menu Integration: ECC-certified chicken has been introduced on select central menus.
- Supplier Dialogue: We maintain close discussions with our chicken suppliers on animal welfare and ECC criteria.
- Exploration of Alternative Proteins: We are exploring other protein sources that appeal to our guests while supporting sustainability goals.
Challenges and Our Path Forward
By supporting ECC and actively driving demand, we hope to accelerate the growth and availability of ECC-certified chicken. However, limited supply and the high cost of ECC-compliant chicken present challenges in reaching 100% compliance across all our markets. Conditions vary across the countries where Scandic operates, but we continue to engage with suppliers in all markets and work toward increasing the share of chicken that meets ECC criteria.
The chart below illustrates the status of ECC compliance based on Scandic’s 2023 procurement data.
| ECC criteria | Status |
|---|---|
1. Comply with all EU animal welfare laws and regulations, regardless of the country of production. | 100% |
| 2. Implement a maximum stocking density of 30kg/m2 or less. Thinning is discouraged and if practiced must be limited to one thin per flock. | 2% |
| 3. Adopt breeds that demonstrate higher welfare outcomes: either the following breeds, Hubbard Redbro (indoor use only); Hubbard Norfolk Black, JA757, JACY57, 787, 957, or 987, Rambler Ranger, Ranger Classic, and Ranger Gold, or other breeds that meet the criteria of the RSPCA Broiler Breed Welfare Assessment Protocol. | 4% |
| 4. At least 50 lux of light, including natural light. | 2% |
| 5. At least two metres of usable perch space, and two pecking substrates, per 1,000 birds. | 4% |
| 6. On air quality, the maximum requirements of Annex 2.3 of the EU broiler directive, regardless of stocking density. | 100% |
| 7. No cages or multi-tier systems. | 100% |
| 8. Adopt controlled atmospheric stunning using inert gas or multi-phase systems, or effective electrical stunning without live inversion. | 72% |
| 9. Demonstrate compliance with the above standards via third-party auditing and annual public reporting on progress towards this commitment.* | 100% |
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Our vision is to deliver world-class Nordic hotel experiences at hotels that are the most sustainable places to meet, eat and sleep away from home.
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About Scandic
Scandic is the largest Nordic hotel operator with a network of about 280 hotels with 58,000 hotel rooms in operation and under development in six countries. Scandic Friends is the biggest loyalty program in the Nordic hotel sector. Corporate responsibility has always been a part of Scandic’s DNA. Since December 2, 2015, Scandic has been listed on Nasdaq Stockholm. Read more about Scandic
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