RTRS (responsible soy)

In short

The Round Table on Responsible Soy (RTRS) publishes a standard for responsible soy production covering legal compliance, working conditions, community relations, environmental responsibility and good agricultural practice. It allows national interpretations to adjust the requirements to local law.

Audits are done by independent certification bodies, which are themselves accredited. In Brazil, bodies accredited by Inmetro have certified against the RTRS standard. Soy is one of the commodities covered by the EU deforestation regulation, and buyers often ask for this kind of evidence, although it does not replace the legal due diligence.

What it covers

• Legal compliance and good agricultural practice
• Working conditions and community relations
• Environmental responsibility, including conversion of native vegetation

What it does not cover

• It does not replace the due diligence required by the EU deforestation regulation
• It does not certify food safety

Who asks for it

Feed, food and trading companies buying soy with sustainability commitments.

How to check a certificate

Ask for the RTRS certificate and the certification body, and check them with RTRS.

How a company gets it

1. Check the current standard and the national interpretation for Brazil
2. Assess the farm or group against it and fix gaps
3. Choose an accredited certification body and pass the audit
4. Sell certified volumes through the programme’s chain-of-custody rules

Questions