2020 Certification Program

The extraordinary global events of 2020, coupled with the escalating climate crisis, highlight the urgent need to transform our relationship with our natural resources and tackle systemic social injustices head-on. The need to embrace sustainability has never been greater. As experts in sustainable agriculture with more than 30 years’ experience, we recognize that now is the time to begin “reimagining certification” as we know it.

The Rainforest Alliance 2020 Certification Program defines our long-term vision for the future, and the path required to get us there. The Sustainable Agriculture Standard, along with its assurance and technology systems, are designed to deliver more value to the two million farmers and thousands of businesses that use Rainforest Alliance certification to drive more sustainable agricultural production and responsible supply chains.

If you have any questions, please contact us at cs@ra.org. Certification Bodies can contact us at CBcert@ra.org.

What’s New in the program?

Introduction to the Standard
Climate-smart agriculture
Deforestation
Conserving Biodiversity
Human rights
Shared responsibility
Living wage / Living Income*
Continuous Improvement*
Risk-based assurance*

* Coming early July

2020 Sustainable Agriculture Standard

Farm Requirements

The Farm Requirements of our new Sustainable Agriculture Standard are designed to help farmers protect the landscapes where they live and work, while offering an enhanced framework to improve their livelihoods and advance the human rights of rural people.

2020 Sustainable Agriculture Standard: Farm Requirements
Annexes
Guidances (available Q4 2020)
FAQ: Farm Requirements

Supply Chain Requirements

The Sustainable Agriculture Standard’s Supply Chain Requirements aim to foster transparency and responsible business practices among companies from farm to shelf.

2020 Sustainable Agriculture Standard: Supply Chain Requirements
Annexes
Guidances (available Q4 2020)
FAQ: Supply Chain Requirements

Assurance

An important aspect of the program is the collection and verification of credible, useful data and compliance evidence. These documents provides the rules and guidelines for assurance:

Supporting resources

Documents and tools to help understand and implement the program.

Must-read resources for 2020 Certification Program

FAQ: 2020 Certification Program - General Questions

How To Get Training from the Rainforest Alliance

Timelines for Transitioning to the 2020 Certification Program

All resources for 2020 Certification Program

Certification Standard

Rainforest Alliance Sustainable Agriculture Standard: Introduction

Published on June 30, 2020
Available in: English

This document accompanies the Rainforest Alliance 2020 Sustainable Agriculture Standard (including its two constituent parts, the Farm Requirements and the Supply Chain Requirements), which forms a
View: Rainforest Alliance Sustainable Agriculture Standard: Introduction

Topics: 2020 Certification Program Reimagining Certification

Certification Standard

2020 Sustainable Agriculture Standard: Farm Requirements

Published on June 30, 2020
Available in: English

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

Topics: 2020 Certification Program Binding documents Farm certification Reimagining Certification

Certification Standard

2020 Sustainable Agriculture Standard: Supply Chain Requirements

Published on June 30, 2020
Available in: English

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

Topics: 2020 Certification Program Binding documents Reimagining Certification Supply Chain Certification

Annex

Annex 1: Glossary

Published on June 30, 2020
Available in: English

View: Annex 1: Glossary

Topics: 2020 Certification Program Binding documents Farm certification Supply Chain Certification

Annex

Annex 2: Rainforest Alliance Management Capacity Assessment Tool

Published on June 30, 2020
Available in: English

As outlined in the Farm Requirements of the 2020 Sustainable Agriculture Standard, this Annex is to be used by groups of small farms to identify the areas to strengthen management capacities.
View: Annex 2: Rainforest Alliance Management Capacity Assessment Tool

Topics: 2020 Certification Program Binding documents Farm certification

Annex

Annex 3: Farm Risk Assessment Tool

Published on June 30, 2020
Available in: English

As outlined in the Farm Requirements of the 2020 Sustainable Agriculture Standard, farms are required to conduct a risk assessment, This tool, both for group and individually certified farms, supports
View: Annex 3: Farm Risk Assessment Tool

Topics: 2020 Certification Program Assess and Address Binding documents Farm certification