Social Value Quality Mark CIC is delighted to announce that ACI Group, a leading distributor and supply chain expert, has achieved Silver Social Value Quality Mark® (SVQM) accreditation.
This achievement recognises ACI Group’s sustained commitment to strengthening its local economy, reducing environmental impact, and enabling customers to deliver high levels of social value through their supply chains.
Why accreditation matters
The Social Value Quality Mark is one of the UK’s most rigorous social value standards. Each of its four levels of accreditation represents an increasing maturity in how organisations measure, develop, and report their social value performance.
For businesses, the benefits extend far beyond compliance:
- Differentiation in competitive markets – independent accreditation demonstrates credibility where customers, procurement teams, and regulators demand proof.
- Stronger client relationships – transparency and assurance around social value practices build trust that money cannot buy.
- Future-proofing against regulation – with new requirements such as the Public Procurement Act and EU Deforestation Regulation, accredited businesses are better prepared to evidence ethical and sustainable supply chains.
- Talent attraction and retention – accreditation showcases a strong values-driven culture, supporting recruitment and staff engagement.
These benefits translate into clearer value propositions, stronger bids, and measurable advantage in tenders where social value is weighted.
Raising the bar for distributors
ACI Group became the UK’s first distributor to achieve SVQM certification in 2022. Progressing now to Silver level, the company has evidenced best practice processes and a strong social value culture embedded in strategic decision-making.
Karsten Smet, CEO of ACI, commented:
“Our latest achievement is great news for us, as a business that believes strongly in doing the right thing and having a positive impact on society. But it’s even better news for our customers, who know they can rely on us to provide complete transparency across their supply chains when they need it most.
“Trust and credibility are commodities that money can’t buy – they have to be earned. We’re proud to be a business that our partners know they can trust, and SVQM certification is a testament to that.”
Huw Evans, Director of Quality at Social Value Quality Mark CIC, added:
“ACI Group’s Silver accreditation shows that meaningful change is both possible and necessary. Their focus on environmental accountability, skills development and community investment demonstrates the critical role distributors can play in building a more sustainable and inclusive economy. We are proud to recognise their progress and encourage others to follow their lead.”
Accreditation is not a one-off achievement. ACI Group continues to invest in staff training, supplier development, and community projects to progress towards Gold. Their recent Ecovadis Bronze award further highlights a holistic approach to sustainability, placing the company in the top 35% of assessed businesses worldwide.
