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. A brand owner is defined as: i) A corporate entity which markets a product under one or more registered brand name(s) or label(s). This entity may process and pack the product themselves or via a third party, but they own, and have responsibility for the brand. Ii) A retail entity which markets a product under one or more private label(s) or store brand(s), owned by them.
Sustainable Agriculture Standard Glossary
Our online glossary is designed to provide an easily accessible tool to explain some of the terminology you will find within the 2020 Certification Program's documents and tools, including the Sustainable Agriculture Standard.
Note that if there is any discrepancy between the online glossary and those terms and definitions found within Annex 1 of the standard, please refer to the Annex 1 for clarification.
Areas peripheral to a specific protected areaAn area of land declared or designated by relevant authorities as protected because of its recognized natural, ecological and/or cultural values to achieve the long-term conservation of nature with associated ecosystem assets and cultural values. Examples include national parks, wildlife refuges, biological or forestry reserves, private reserves, and areas within UNESCO Biosphere reserves or World Heritage Sites. Production might be allowed in a protected under applicable law, which can constitute a certain zoning in a management plan (multi-use zones), a certain category of protected areas (IUCN categories V, VI), or permits (for example, admitted farms)., indicated by the relevant authorities, where restrictions on resource use and/or special development measures are undertaken by the authorities to enhance the conservationProtection of a natural ecosystem against direct or indirect human conversion or degradation. Natural ecosystems may be conserved through any combination of strict preservation, restoration, or sustainable management. More value of the protected area.
WasteThe unwanted or undesired material or substance. It is also referred to as rubbish, trash, garbage, or junk depending upon the type of material and the regional terminology. Most waste is comprised of paper, plastic, metals, glass, food waste, organic material, feces and wood. Includes hazardous materials. It covers domestic or industrial waste, rejected products, construction debris or rubble, soil and stones from excavations, rubbish and soil from cleaning or preparing land. products of the processes of the 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. More cropsRefers to: tree crops (such as coffee, cocoa), tea, fruits (such as bananas, coconuts and pineapples), nuts (such as hazelnuts), cut flowers, herbs and spices.
When a CH with Farming in scopevarious types of scope exist in the certification program; see geographical scope, crop(s), standard component (supply chain/farm) and certification scope applicable to the certificate holder has not sold all certified volume from a specific harvest, they may carry-overWhen a CH with Farming in scope has not sold all certified volume from a specific harvest, they may carry-over that volume to the next year's certified volume. This is done through the audit and certification process. that volume to the next year’s certified volume. This is done through the auditSystematic, independent and documented process for obtaining and assessing audit evidence to determine the extent to which the requirements for certification are fulfilled. and certification process.
An internal decision-making committee which provides inputs and decides on CB approval.
CertificateDocument that proves compliance of an organization (certificate holder) with the requirements applicable to the certification scope of the organization. issued by a Certification BodyEntity authorized by the Rainforest Alliance to conduct audits and to conclude the certification process for the Rainforest Alliance Certification Program. More (CB) that is authorized by the Rainforest Alliance, after a CB has found a (prospect) certificate holderAny party that is issued a certificate by a CB or an endorsement by Rainforest Alliance. The Certificate holder may be a farm or a supply chain actor, or an entity managing the certificate for plural farms or supply chain actors. More compliant with the requirements applicable to the scope mentioned on the certificate.
Certification Body providing & confirming data and audit results in the certification platform, to request a licenseAn agreement and permission granted by the Rainforest Alliance, to use the Rainforest Alliance seal and traceability platforms and claim products as certified, when a certificate holder has proven compliance with all applicable program and standard requirements and agrees to abide by our License Agreement General Terms & Conditions and other binding documents. for the audited (prospect) CH.
System to track CB performance and approval status for CB personnel , auditors and countries.
CB periodic evaluations to monitor CB staff competences in accordance with Rainforest Alliance Assurance Rules.
Document that proves compliance of an organization (certificate holderAny party that is issued a certificate by a CB or an endorsement by Rainforest Alliance. The Certificate holder may be a farm or a supply chain actor, or an entity managing the certificate for plural farms or supply chain actors. More) with the requirements applicable to the certification scopevarious types of scope exist in the certification program; see geographical scope, crop(s), standard component (supply chain/farm) and certification scope applicable to the certificate holder of the organization.
Any party that is issued a certificate by a CB or an endorsement by Rainforest Alliance. The Certificate holder may be a 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). More or a supply chain actorAny organisation that relates to the certified product from its production up to its final sale. More, or an entity managing the certificate for plural farms or supply chain actors.
The set of activitiesCollective term for actions that can be performed on sub-products in the supply chain, involving one or two members., processes, actors, and products that are covered under the certification of a certificate holder.
Represents any type of record relating to a certificate holder (company, farmerA person who owns and/or operates an agricultural enterprise, either commercially or to sustain him or herself or his/her family., farmer 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. More, etc.) that is responsible for compliance of all actors included in its certification scope, that is registered in the Rainforest Alliance system and is or aims to become part of the Rainforest Alliance 2020 Certification ProgramThe Rainforest Alliance 2020 Certification Program is the first step towards the Rainforest Alliance's vision of Reimagining Certification. It is made up of three principal components that are designed to work closely with each other, including the Rainforest Alliance 2020 Sustainable Agriculture Standard (including the Farm Requirements and the Supply Chain Requirements), the Assurance system, and the supporting data systems and tools..
The Certification Application FormThe Certification Application Form is a form the CH can submit to the CB to apply for certification. It includes the certification scope and composition of the CH. is a form the CH can submit to the CB to apply for certification. It includes the certification scope and composition of the CH.
AuditSystematic, independent and documented process for obtaining and assessing audit evidence to determine the extent to which the requirements for certification are fulfilled. performed by a CB authorized by the Rainforest Alliance, needed to determine to what extend a (prospect) certificate holderAny party that is issued a certificate by a CB or an endorsement by Rainforest Alliance. The Certificate holder may be a farm or a supply chain actor, or an entity managing the certificate for plural farms or supply chain actors. More complies with the applicable requirements for Rainforest Alliance certification, and based on which a certification decision is taken and a certificateDocument that proves compliance of an organization (certificate holder) with the requirements applicable to the certification scope of the organization. can be issued.
Entity authorized by the Rainforest Alliance to conduct audits and to conclude the certification process for the Rainforest Alliance Certification Program.
The Certification Rules describe the rules, requirements and process for (prospect) certificateDocument that proves compliance of an organization (certificate holder) with the requirements applicable to the certification scope of the organization. holders to become and remain part of the Rainforest Alliance certification program.
The term “certified” in the requirements refers to the volume of any crop produced and traded by certificateDocument that proves compliance of an organization (certificate holder) with the requirements applicable to the certification scope of the organization. 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.
Any human being below the age of 18 years. (UN CRC article 1).
Work 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 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)) More:[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 childAny human being below the age of 18 years. (UN CRC article 1). More 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 workChildren’s or adolescents’ participation in work that does not affect their health and personal development or does not interfere with their schooling, is generally regarded as being something positive. This includes activities such as helping their parents around the home, assisting in a family business or earning pocket money outside school hours and during school holidays. These kinds of activities contribute to children’s development and to the welfare of their families; they provide them with skills and experience and help to prepare them to be productive members of society during their adult life. This includes: • Regular employment/work: From the age of 15 (in developing economies 14) children can start general employment or work not exceeding 48 hours per week. In countries where the minimum age is higher or the number of permitted hours of work is lower, the national set minimum age and maximum hours apply. Children’s work should be non-hazardous, but should be safe and age-appropriate and not interfere with compulsory education.
• Light work: Work that is not harmful to the health and development of a child, does not interfere with their schooling or training, is under the supervision of an adult, and does not exceed 14 hours a week. In line with ILO Convention 138, children aged 12-14 may perform light work in countries with developing economies. In countries where national law does not allow children to perform light work, the national minimum age for entry into employment applies.
• Family work: Farming activities performed by children on their small-scale family/household farms that consist of light, age-appropriate duties that give them an opportunity to develop skills, do not classify as child labor provided that the activities are not harmful to their health and development, do not interfere with schooling, and are under the supervision of an adult.
More 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 memberDonor in the Rainforest Alliance's membership program countries whose economy and educational facilities are insufficiently developed. (ILO Convention, Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999 (No. 182))