Sustainable Agriculture Standard Glossary

Any wildlifeAll terrestrial vertebrate species except those that are primarily kept by humans as livestock or pets. vertebrateAn organism distinguished by the possession of a backbone or spinal column, including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fishes. which is harmful to plants or plant products.

Method used for handling certifiedThe term “certified” in the requirements refers to the volume of any crop produced and traded by certificate holders, which is verified and achieves certification against the 2020 Rainforest Alliance Sustainable Agriculture Standard, or the legacy UTZ or legacy Rainforest Alliance certification programs. volumes and tracing them back to their origin, for example: mass balanceAdministrative traceability allows a certificate holder to claim a product which is not certified as Rainforest Alliance Certified when the equivalent quantity was sourced as Rainforest Alliance Certified., segregationA traceability process in which the certified product is kept separate from the non- certified product, both physically and on documentation. This segregation occurs during all receipt, processing, packaging, storage, and transportation stages of the supply chain. There is no mixing of non-certified product with certified product. This means that the full product content is certified, although it can come from different certified sources/farms, including other countries of origin. If a certified product is from different certified sources/farms, but identity is preserved throughout the supply chain, the subtype Mixed Identity Preserved (Mixed IP) can be applied., and identity preservedA traceability option in which it is possible to identify the Rainforest Alliance Certified ingredient or product back to a single farm certificate holder. There is no mixing of certified ingredient or product with non-certified ingredient or product. This is the most stringent traceability type..

The following table specifies Rainforest Alliance optimal shade coverage parameters for percent canopy cover and diversity of native tree species.

The percentage of coverage is based on aerial coverage of shade trees, excluding crop trees, during the time of the year when tree foliage is most dense.

These parameters can be superseded by national guidelines, based on recommendations of national research institutes or government agencies.

Ensuring the protection of the environment, people, and society is integrated within the core of business practice and conduct. Responsible business conductEnsuring the protection of the environment, people, and society is integrated within the core of business practice and conduct. Responsible business conduct entails, above all compliance with laws, such as those on respecting human rights, environmental protection, labor relations, and financial accountability, even where these are poorly enforced by legal means. entails, above all compliance with laws, such as those on respecting human rights, environmental protection, labor relations, and financial accountability, even where these are poorly enforced by legal means.

The action of removing old trees and other plants and planting new vegetation as a replacement.

Trees on the farmAll land and facilities used for agricultural production and processing activities under the geographical scope of the farm applicable for Rainforest Alliance certification. A farm may be composed of several neighboring or geographically separate farm units within one country, provided that they are under a common management body. All farms and farm units falling within this geographical scope must comply with the 2020 Rainforest Alliance Sustainable Agriculture Standard, even when a different crop from the certified one is also cultivated (e.g. farm/farm unit with a plantation of rice belonging to a producer who is part of a certified group for coffee that falls within the same geographical scope). A farm may be composed of several neighboring or geographically separate units of land within one country if they are under a common management body. that was part of the original natural ecosystemAn ecosystem that substantially resembles – in terms of species composition, structure, and ecological function – one that is or would be found in a given area in the absence of major human impacts. This includes human-managed ecosystems where much of the natural species composition, structure, and ecological function are present. Natural ecosystems include all natural terrestrial ecosystems (including natural forests, woodlands, shrublands, savannahs, grasslands, and paramo) and all natural aquatic ecosystems. Natural ecosystems include:
• Largely “pristine” natural ecosystems that have not been subject to major human impacts in recent history
• Regenerated natural ecosystems that were subject to major impacts in the past (for instance by agriculture, livestock raising, tree plantations, or intensive logging) but where the main causes of impact have ceased or greatly diminished and the ecosystem has attained species composition, structure and ecological function similar to prior or other contemporary natural ecosystems;
• Managed natural ecosystems (including many ecosystems that could be referred to as “semi-natural”) where much of the ecosystem’s composition, structure, and ecological function are present; this includes managed natural forests as well as native grasslands or rangelands that are, or have historically been, grazed by livestock
• Natural ecosystems that have been partially degraded by anthropogenic or natural causes (e.g., harvesting, fire, climate change, invasive species, or others) but where the land has not been converted to another use and where much of the ecosystem’s composition, structure, and ecological function remain present or are expected to regenerate naturally or by management for ecological restoration.
on the land and have a high value for biodiversity. They are usually older and larger than other trees that have been planted and managed within the agricultural or agroforestryThe combination of trees alongside, agricultural crops, and potentially including other vegetation and livestock, in integrated systems that produce food, support biodiversity, create healthy soils, and secure water availability and sequester carbon from the atmosphere. system.

A person (either male or female) who owns and/or operates an agricultural enterprise, either commercially or to sustain him or herself or his/her family.

The price commonly paid for a product of the same quality and origin produced conventionally (i.e. non-certified).

Large farms do not primarily rely on family or householdThe arrangements made by persons, individually or in groups, for providing themselves with food or other essentials for living. A household may be either:
• One-person household: A person who makes provision for his or her food or other essentials for living without combining with any other person to form part of a multi-person household.
• A multi-person household: A group of two or more persons living together who make common provision for food or other essentials for living.
The persons in the household may pool their incomes and may, to a greater or lesser extent, have a shared budget. They may be related or unrelated persons or constitute a combination of persons, both related and unrelated. A household may be located in a housing unit or a set of collective living quarters such as a boarding house, a hotel or a camp, or may comprise the administrative personnel in an institution. The household may also be homeless. A household can be male-headed, female-headed, or child-headed. In the latter two cases, households are often more vulnerable because of limited access to financial and in-kind resources. labor or workforce exchange with other members of the communityGroups of people living in the same place or region affected by the existence or operation of a farm, group of farms or company. Rural workers, farm inhabitants, neighbors, indigenous people, and inhabitants of nearby villages or cities may be communities affected by a specific farm, group of farms or company. See Indigenous Peoples and local communities, but mainly on hired permanent and/or temporary workers. Large farms generally run their own management system, or maybe part of a groupAn association of organized producers that have a shared Internal Management System (IMS) and are certified together under the Rainforest Alliance Certification Rules. The group of organized producers can be organized in an association or cooperative or managed by a supply chain actor (such as an exporter) or another entity. for certification. Large farms do not fit under the definition of small farmsSmall farms primarily rely on family or household labor or workforce exchange with other members of the community. They might hire temporary workers for seasonal tasks or even hire (few) permanent workers. Small farmers are usually organized in a group to be certified and rely on the Group Management for record development and record keeping..

A traceabilityThe ability to administratively trace certified products from the farm origin through the supply chain to the final product manufacturer. option in which it is possible to identify the Rainforest Alliance Certified ingredient or product back to a single farm certificate holderAny organization that is, was or wants to be certified in any Rainforest Alliance certification program (UTZ certification program, 2017 Rainforest Alliance Certification Program, Rainforest Alliance 2020 Certification Program). This is at the certification option level and includes all actors (for example sites, farmers, intermediaries etc.) falling under the certification scope of the CH.. There is no mixing of certified ingredient or product with non-certified ingredient or product. This is the most stringent traceability typeMethod used for handling certified volumes and tracing them back to their origin, for example: mass balance, segregation, and identity preserved..

A defined cluster of countries which determines the boundaries within which certificates for multi-siteA supply chain certificate holder that does not have farming in the scope of its Rainforest Alliance certification and has an identified central location under which two or more sites are operating. supply chain certificateDocument that proves compliance of an organization (certificate holder) with the requirements applicable to the certification scope of the organization. holders can be issued.

GenderSocially constructed characteristics of women and men, such as norms, roles, and relationships of and between groups of women and men. It varies from society to society and can be changed. While most people are born either male or female, they are taught appropriate norms and behaviors – including how they should interact with others of the same or opposite sex within households, communities, and workplaces. Gender Identity is not restricted to male and female as people may identify themselves as both man and woman or as neither. norms, roles, and relations are considered, and actions are taken on the basis of that understanding to address gender inequality and men’s and women’s specific needs, transform harmful gender norms, roles, and relations and promote changes in power relationships between women and men.

A person (of any gender) who helps another memberDonor in the Rainforest Alliance's membership program of the family to run an agricultural holding or other business, provided they are not considered as employees and have common household interests.

An ongoing riskA risk is a threat that potentially negatively influences the compliance with the standard and reaching the sustainability outcomes. Risk mitigation measures are actions to be implemented to prevent or diminish the influence of these threats and/or deal with their effects. management process that a company needs to follow in order to ensure responsible compliance with all relevant laws and regulations and avoid negative impacts on the environment or human rights caused directly or indirectly through its operations or those of its supply chain. Due DiligenceAn ongoing risk management process that a company needs to follow in order to ensure responsible compliance with all relevant laws and regulations and avoid negative impacts on the environment or human rights caused directly or indirectly through its operations or those of its supply chain. Due Diligence is exercised through a process to identify, prevent, mitigate, and account for how it addresses adverse human rights and environmental impacts of a company’s operations. It includes four key steps: assessing actual and potential impacts, integrating and acting on the findings, tracking responses, and communicating about how impacts are addressed.[6] is exercised through a process to identify, prevent, mitigate, and account for how it addresses adverse human rights and environmental impacts of a company’s operations. It includes four key steps: assessing actual and potential impacts, integrating and acting on the findings, tracking responses, and communicating about how impacts are addressed.[6]

A person or company who markets any commodity under a registered brand name or label. This may include private label brands/store brands owned by retail companies.

The date of first purchaseThe date of first purchase of new Rainforest Alliance Volumes is the date when legal ownership officially changes hands once the payment is made and product belongs to the next buyer. of new Rainforest Alliance Volumes is the date when legal ownership officially changes hands once the payment is made and product belongs to the next buyer.

A management system through which certificate holders identify, mitigate, and monitor risks of child laborWork that deprives children of their childhood, their potential, and their dignity, and that is mentally, physically, socially, or morally dangerous and harmful to children. It includes work that interferes with their schooling by depriving them of the opportunity to attend school or obliging them to leave school prematurely; or requiring them to attempt to combine school attendance with excessively long and heavy work. This includes:
• The worst forms of child labor:[2] including all forms of slavery or practices similar to slavery, such as the sale and trafficking of children, debt bondage and serfdom, and forced or compulsory labor, including forced or compulsory recruitment of children for use in armed conflict; the use, procuring or offering of a child for prostitution, for the production of pornography or pornographic performances; the use, procuring or offering of a child for other illicit activities.
• Hazardous work: The worst forms of child labor also include hazardous work, which by its nature or the circumstances in which it is carried out, is likely to harm the health, safety, or morals of children. This includes but is not limited to carrying heavy loads, work in dangerous locations, in unhealthy situations, at night, or with hazardous substances or equipment, or work over long hours or at height. Countries which have signed the ILO Convention 182 are required to develop a national list of tasks that are considered hazardous for children. Where available, these national lists of hazardous tasks apply. In the absence of national lists of hazardous tasks, advice may be sought from competent national authorities such as Departments of Labor, Agriculture, Child Welfare etc) and/or the national ILO office.
• Underage child labor: Work that is conducted by children younger than 15 years of age for the farm, group, or group members, that interferes with their schooling, exceeds 14 hours a week, or is not considered “light work or family work”. In case national law has set the minimum work age at 14 years this age applies. In case national law has set the minimum work age at a higher age than 15, the national minimum age for entering employment applies.[3]
Please see below a diagram regarding age restrictions between child work and child labor. [Graph 1.1] Graph 1.1 illustrating the age differences in child work, child labor and the worse forms of child labor.[4] Please note, the numbers in brackets are the lower minimum ages allowed by ILO for member countries whose economy and educational facilities are insufficiently developed. (ILO Convention, Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182)), forced laborAll work or service required of any person under the menace of any penalty and for which the said person has not offered herself or himself voluntarily. A person is classified as being in forced labor if they are engaged in work that is involuntary (without the free and informed consent of the worker) and is exacted through threats, penalties, or some form of coercion. Forms of involuntariness can include, but are not limited to:
• Recruitment through a transaction such as slavery or bonded labor;
• State-imposed labor, such as by the military, that does not meet the exceptions provided in ILO Convention 29;
• Involuntary prison labor;
• Unpaid or extremely low-paid work;
• Changes to working conditions (employer, wages, hours, nature of work, conditions/hazards/exposures, time period) without the worker's consent;
• Degrading working or living conditions imposed by employer or recruiter;
• Involuntary and excessive overtime; and
• Limited freedom to terminate the work contract or agreement.
Forms of coercion can include, but are not limited to: • Physical or sexual violence;
• Physical confinement;
• Restrictions on movement or communication;
• Fines or other financial penalties;
• Deprivation of food, water, toilets, sleep, or other basic needs;
• Isolation;
• Forced use of drugs or alcohol;
• Debt bondage or manipulation of debt, including manipulation of advances and loans;
• Requiring monetary deposits, financial or collateral guarantees, or personal possessions as a condition of employment
• Withholding or delay of wages or other benefits;
• Retention of identity or other important documents without the worker’s consent and/or without providing workers easy access to them; and
• Threats of dismissal, deportation, legal action, or reporting to authorities.

, discriminationAny distinction, exclusion or preference made based on race, color, ethnicity, gender , sexual orientation, religion, political opinion, national extraction or social origin, and others which has the effect of nullifying or impairing equality of opportunity or treatment in employment or occupation. Discriminatory practices include but are not limited to unequal pay for equal work, unequal access to better-paid jobs and management positions, compulsory pregnancy tests during hiring procedures or at any other moment in the work process., and workplace violence & harassment, then remedy instances that occur. The approach stimulates certificate holders to build sustainable capacity over time to address these issues.

A person (either male or female) who owns and/or operates an agricultural enterprise, either commercially or to sustain him or herself or his/her family. 

A digital Rainforest Alliance platform to report transactionsSupply chain action resulting in a change of ownership, existence, or location of a sub-product. and activitiesCollective term for actions that can be performed on sub-products in the supply chain, involving one or two members. of certified volumes throughout the supply chain.

Remuneration or earnings, expressed in terms of money and fixed by mutual agreement or by national laws or regulations. WagesRemuneration or earnings, expressed in terms of money and fixed by mutual agreement or by national laws or regulations. Wages are payable by an employer to a worker for work done or to be done or for services rendered or to be rendered. are payable by an employer to a workerA person who performs labor in return for a monetary amount. A worker encompasses all types of persons working irrespective of their contractual status, such as permanent, temporary, seasonal, migrant, family, piece rate workers, documented, undocumented, as well as hired through a labor provider, persons in training, (group) management staff, including interns and apprentices, and also persons temporarily absent from a job or enterprise at which they recently worked for illness, parental leave, holiday, training, or industrial dispute. for work done or to be done or for services rendered or to be rendered.