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.
Binding Documents by Program
Certification Binding Documents For:
Certification Programs
Farms and companies certified to the following standards can find applicable binding documents:
- Rainforest Alliance Certification Program (2020 Certification Program)
- 2017 Rainforest Alliance Sustainable Agriculture Standard*
- 2015 Rainforest Alliance Chain of Custody Standard*
- UTZ Program*
*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: