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Reimagining Certification

Certification has had a huge impact in bringing sustainability to the forefront of business thinking, but it must continue to evolve to provide more value to farmers and companies and ensure that people and nature can thrive in harmony.

That's why the Rainforest Alliance is “reimagining certification” to define and implement our long-term vision for the future of certification.  The creation of our 2020 Certification Program has been guided by this vision.

It is based on a set of core principles: continuous improvement; data-powered; risk-based assurance; contextualization; and shared responsibility.

At the heart of the Rainforest Alliance

Reimagining Certification is part of Rainforest Alliance’s wider strategy to drive sustainability at scale in the sectors in which we operate through interconnected interventions supporting certification, tailored supply chain services, landscapes and communities and advocacy.

What We're Working On

2020 Rainforest Alliance Certification Program

Download the Sustainable Agriculture Standard, access assurance documents, learn more about transitioning to the new program, and more.

Reimagining Certification Explained

By reimagining certification, we can combine our extensive experience in certification, field expertise, knowledge of sectors across the supply chain, ability to innovate, and scale our work up to the next level.

Strengthened Cocoa Certification Program

Key priorities of our cocoa strategy are assurance, shared responsibility, supply chain transparency, and profitability and resilience.

Our Response to the Coronavirus Pandemic

We are carefully tracking restrictions on movements which include limitations to harvests, training, and supply chains, and more. And we are continually seeking ways to support our stakeholders, while protecting their safety and security.

Additional Resources

Why Sustainability Certification is Evolving, and How

FAQ: 2020 Farm Requirements

FAQ: 2020 Supply Chain Requirements

The Rainforest Alliance Looks for Ways to Harness Remote Data Sensing Technology

All resources for Reimagining Certification

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Policies and rules

Transition Rules

For 2015 UTZ Certification Program and 2017 Rainforest Alliance Certification Program Certificate Holders wishing to be certified under the 2020 Rainforest Alliance Certification Program
View: Transition Rules


Available in: English, Chinese (Simplified), Spanish, French, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Turkish, Vietnamese, German

Topics: 2020 Certification ProgramReimagining Certification

Certification Standard

2020 Sustainable Agriculture Standard: Farm Requirements

The need for sustainable agriculture has never been greater. By providing a practical framework for sustainable agriculture, and a targeted set of innovations, the Farm Requirements can help farmers
View: 2020 Sustainable Agriculture Standard: Farm Requirements


Available in: English, Spanish, Chinese (Simplified), Vietnamese, French, Indonesian, Portuguese, Turkish, Japanese

Topics: 2020 Certification ProgramBinding documentsFarm certificationReimagining Certification

Certification Standard

2020 Sustainable Agriculture Standard: Supply Chain Requirements

Sustainability shouldn’t stop being a focus after the farm gate, and buyers in certified supply chains must provide increased support to farmers to work more sustainably. With the Rainforest
View: 2020 Sustainable Agriculture Standard: Supply Chain Requirements


Available in: English, Chinese (Simplified), French, German, Italian, Turkish, Indonesian, Vietnamese, Japanese, Portuguese, Spanish

Topics: 2020 Certification ProgramBinding documentsReimagining CertificationSupply Chain Certification

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The Rainforest Alliance is creating a more sustainable world by using social and market forces to protect nature and improve the lives of farmers and forest communities.

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About the rainforest alliance

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