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

Filter by:
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

Terms & Conditions

Rainforest Alliance License Agreement General Terms and Conditions

View: Rainforest Alliance License Agreement General Terms and Conditions


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

Topics: 2015 Chain of Custody Standard2017 Sustainable Agriculture Standard2020 Certification ProgramAssurance systemBinding DocumentsCertificationCocoaFarm certificationSupply Chain CertificationSustainability labelsTraceability

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: 2020 Certification ProgramAssurance systemBinding DocumentsCertificationCocoaFarm certificationSupply Chain CertificationSustainability labelsTraceability

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

Topics: 2020 Certification ProgramBinding DocumentsCertification

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

Topics: 2020 Certification ProgramBinding DocumentsPesticides

For Business

Transform your business practices

For Supporters

Help us rebalance the planet

For Researchers

See how we measure our impacts

For Educators

Use our conservation curricula in your classroom

The Rainforest Alliance is a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit registered in the US under EIN: 13-3377893.

rainforest alliance spending

In 2020, 79% of our income supported sustainability programs. Learn More »

charity-watch
earth-share

Follow Us

Subscribe

Sign up for business updates or general updates