Rainforest Alliance

In short

Rainforest Alliance is an international non-profit. Its 2020 Sustainable Agriculture Standard sets requirements for farms on management, traceability, human rights and working conditions, climate and the environment. Supply-chain operators that handle certified product follow a separate supply-chain standard.

Independent certification bodies audit against the standard, and certified product can carry the Rainforest Alliance seal under the rules of the programme. It is common in coffee, cocoa, tea and fruit.

What it covers

• Farm management, traceability and continuous improvement
• Human rights, working conditions and fair pay at farm level
• Climate and environmental practices, including forests and water

What it does not cover

• It does not certify food safety in the plant
• It is not an organic certification, although some requirements overlap

Who asks for it

Brands with sustainability commitments, mainly in coffee, cocoa, tea and fruit.

How to check a certificate

Use the programme’s certified-operator search and ask for the certificate with its scope and validity.

How a company gets it

1. Check which standard applies to your product and country
2. Prepare the farm or group management system and records
3. Choose an approved certification body and pass the audit
4. Register certified volumes on the programme’s traceability platform

Questions