Sustainable Agriculture (Rainforest Alliance) Certification

Rainforest Alliance certification shows that agricultural products are produced with practices that protect forests, biodiversity and farmer rights. It is common in tropical products such as coffee, cocoa, tea and bananas. Following its merger with UTZ, it runs under a single standard and is recognised by the green-frog logo.

• Coffee, cocoa, tea and banana producers and cooperatives
• Firms processing and packaging these products
• Retailers and brand owners
• Food companies with a sustainable-sourcing commitment

Voluntary. Due-diligence obligations under the EU Deforestation Regulation also apply separately for commodities such as cocoa and coffee.

• Preventing deforestation and protecting natural ecosystems
• Management of biodiversity and water resources
• Good agricultural practices and pesticide management (including a prohibited list)
• Human rights: prevention of forced labour, child labour and discrimination (the assess-and-address approach)
• Working conditions, wages and occupational health and safety
• Climate-change adaptation and greenhouse-gas management
• Group management and the internal control system
• Chain-of-custody and traceability methods
• The sustainability differential and ensuring the investment reaches the farmer

1. 1Application and Product DescriptionThe product family, model list, technical specifications and target market are determined. The applicable standard and certification route become clear at this step.
2. 2Technical File ReviewDesign documents, the bill of materials, critical-component certificates and the instructions for use are examined.
3. 3Product TestingThe tests the relevant standard requires are carried out. The test report is the fundamental basis for the certification decision.
4. 4Factory AuditIf the scheme requires it, the continuity of manufacturing and factory production control (FPC) are verified on site.
5. 5Issuing the Certificate and MarkingOnce conformity is verified, the certificate is issued; the marking rules for the product and packaging are applied.
6. 6Follow-up AuditsDepending on the scheme, periodic factory audits and/or follow-up testing on samples taken from the market are carried out.

The validity period varies by scheme: some product certificates are indefinite and rely on periodic factory audits, while some schemes (e.g. country market marks) require annual or per-shipment renewal. Every design change to the product requires the certificate to be reviewed.

• The list of product models and variants
• Technical drawings, diagrams and the bill of materials
• Certificates for critical components
• The instructions for use and a sample label
• Existing test reports, if any
• Production-site details

There is no fixed list price; the cost is calculated based on the following variables and provided in writing in the quote.

• The number of models and variants in the product family
• The test scope the applicable standard requires
• Whether a factory audit is required
• The number of target markets and whether each requires separate testing
• Whether existing test reports can be accepted

Product certification is carried out under ISO/IEC 17065; The tests that form the basis for certification are carried out in laboratories with ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation. The two scopes are separate. Recognition between accreditation bodies is provided through IAF and ILAC agreements.

The scope under which this scheme can be offered varies according to your product and activity; it is confirmed in writing at the quote stage.

• RSPOPalm Oil
• Better CottonSustainable Cotton
• FSC CoCForest Products
• PEFC CoCForest Products
• Chain of Custody
• ISCC EUBiofuel
• ISCC PLUSCircular/Bio-based
• Biomass Certification