Binding Documents

Binding Documents are a set of standards, policies and rules that are applicable to different actors in the Rainforest Alliance’s programs, depending on the type of activity the actor is engaged in, as set forth in an organization's license agreement with the Rainforest Alliance.

These Binding Documents include the following documents and categories of rules: License Agreement Terms and Conditions, certification standards and rules, traceability rules, labeling rules, and online platform terms and conditions.* Additional guidelines can be found in our Help Center.

*Note: All actors that are part of either cocoa program and any actors interested in using the new Rainforest Alliance seal must also sign a License Agreement (2020 Version) with Rainforest Alliance.

Which documents do you need?

Use our Binding Document Finder to determine the documents you need, based on which Rainforest Alliance or UTZ program you are certified under.

Find Binding Documents

Binding Documents by Program

Certification Binding Documents For:

Certification Programs

Farms and companies certified to the following standards can find applicable binding documents:

*Standards currently being phased out

Cocoa Program

Farms and companies that are part of the Rainforest Alliance cocoa program can find applicable binding documents by clicking the following links:

Additional Binding Documents

Labels & Traceability

Farms and companies that are selling, labeling or claiming products as Rainforest Alliance Certified or using the Rainforest Marks can find applicable binding documents by clicking the following links:

Terms & Conditions

All resources for Binding Documents

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Policies and rules

Exceptional Use Policy: Granted Exceptions and their Conditions for Using Rainforest Alliance Prohibited Pesticides

The objective of this policy, alongside the 2020 Rainforest Alliance Sustainable Agriculture Standard requirements, is to support producers in their journey to phasing out the use of HHPs. The
View: Exceptional Use Policy: Granted Exceptions and their Conditions for Using Rainforest Alliance Prohibited Pesticides


Available in: English, Portuguese, Spanish, French

Topics: 2020 Certification ProgramBinding DocumentsCertificationPesticides

Forms and Templates

Certification Application Form (CAF)

The Certification Application Form (CAF) is a mandatory document to be filled out by Certificate Holders and Certification Bodies along the Certification Process of the Sustainable Agriculture
View: Certification Application Form (CAF)


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

Topics: 2020 Certification ProgramAssess and AddressAssurance SystemBinding DocumentsCertificationFarm CertificationSupply Chain Certification

Policies and rules

Rainforest Alliance 2020 Labeling and Trademarks Policy

Please note that at this moment, only the English version of the policy has been updated to version 1.2. All other language versions are still version 1.0. Translations of version 1.2 will be added
View: Rainforest Alliance 2020 Labeling and Trademarks Policy


Available in: English, Japanese, Chinese (Simplified), Spanish, Portuguese

Topics: Assurance SystemBinding DocumentsCocoaMarketing sustainabilitySustainability Labels

Policies and rules

Policy on measures to address shortages of Rainforest Alliance certified volumes during the transition period for Colombia and Peru

This policy has been authorized for coffee certificate holders in Colombia and Peru in response to the interest shown by certificate holders to continue with the Rainforest Alliance certification
View: Policy on measures to address shortages of Rainforest Alliance certified volumes during the transition period for Colombia and Peru


Available in: English, Spanish

Topics: 2020 Certification ProgramAssurance SystemBinding DocumentsCertificationCoffeeColombiaPeru

Policies and rules

Policy on changes to certification and auditing rules for audits in the transition year

This policy describes the changes to ensure consistent implementation of the Certification and Auditing Rules across the Rainforest Alliance Certification Program during the Transition year.
View: Policy on changes to certification and auditing rules for audits in the transition year


Available in: English, Portuguese, Spanish, Vietnamese, French

Topics: 2020 Certification ProgramAssurance SystemBinding DocumentsCertification

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