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?

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

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

Annex

Annex 4: Remediation Protocol

Published on June 30, 2020
Available in: English

In accordance with the 2020 Sustainable Agriculture Standard: Farm Requirements and Supply Chain Requirements, the management representative/committee sets out in the Management Plan how to remediate
View: Annex 4: Remediation Protocol

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

Annex

Annex 5: Living Income Tool and Methodology

Published on June 30, 2020
Available in: English

In accordance with the 2020 Sustainable Agriculture Standard: Farm Requirements, the total net income for group member households is assessed against the Living Income Benchmark. The assessment of
View: Annex 5: Living Income Tool and Methodology

Topics: 2020 Certification Program Binding documents Farm certification

Annex

Annex 6: Traceability and Shared Responsibility

Published on June 30, 2020
Available in: English

This document includes additional rules on traceability, crop-specific supply chain information as well as interpretation of the shared responsibility topic that complement the requirements outlined
View: Annex 6: Traceability and Shared Responsibility

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