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:

Rainforest Alliance Certification Program

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

Certification Binding Documents For:

UTZ Certification Program

Farms and companies certified to the following standards can find applicable binding documents on utz.org by clicking the following links:

Certification Binding Documents For:

Rainforest Alliance 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 For:

Rainforest Alliance

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:

Certification Binding Documents For:

UTZ
Cocoa Program

Farms and companies that are part of the UTZ cocoa program can find applicable binding documents on utz.org by clicking the following links:

Additional Binding Documents For:

UTZ

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

All resources for Binding documents

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Policies and rules

Policy for Farm and Supply Chain Certification in Cocoa

This policy sets out specific implementation requirements for certificate holders at both producer and supply chain actor levels (Certification requirements) and for reinforcing the assurance process
View: Policy for Farm and Supply Chain Certification in Cocoa


Available in: English, French

Topics: Assurance systemBinding documentsCertificationCocoaFarm certificationSupply Chain CertificationSustainability labelsTraceability

Certification Standard

Simplified desk audit checklist for high and very high risk groups in Côte d’Ivoire

This document is part of the procedure for Partial remote audits for high and very high risk groups in Côte d’Ivoire. The checklist contains the requirements and instructions for document review for
View: Simplified desk audit checklist for high and very high risk groups in Côte d’Ivoire


Available in: English, French

Topics: Binding documentsCertificationCocoaCôte d’Ivoire

Certification Standard

Partial remote audits for high and very high risk groups in Côte d’Ivoire

This document sets out the certification procedure for (currently RA 2017 or UTZ certified) high and very high risk groups in Côte d’Ivoire applying for a transition audit for the October 2021 harvest
View: Partial remote audits for high and very high risk groups in Côte d’Ivoire


Available in: English, French

Topics: Binding documentsCertificationCocoaCôte d’IvoireFarm certification

Annex

Annex S3: Risk Assessment Tool

As outlined in the requirements of the 2020 Sustainable Agriculture Standard, certificate holders must conduct a risk assessment. The tool which is available for group and individually certified farm
View: Annex S3: Risk Assessment Tool


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

Topics: 2020 Certification ProgramAssess and AddressBinding documentsCertificationFarm certificationSupply Chain Certification

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