Forests are essential to the survival of all living beings on Earth. As well as providing us with clean air, protection and rain, they are home to 80% of the world's terrestrial biodiversity. Protecting and managing forests is essential, as they play a crucial role in absorbing and storing carbon dioxide, thus contributing to the fight against climate change. In this context, initiatives such as the Rainforest Alliance certification are emerging as concrete ways of supporting and encouraging forest protection. This certification is not limited to the preservation of forest areas, but also encompasses soil protection and the overall health of our planet.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF RAINFOREST ALLIANCE CERTIFICATION?
The Rainforest Alliance focuses on protecting land and forests in ways that advance the rights and prosperity of rural communities. When a product or ingredient is Rainforest Alliance-labeled, it means that it respects 3 principles of sustainability: social equity, environmental responsibility and the economic viability of farming communities. This label is aimed at small and large farms (individual producers and producer groups); single and multi-site organizations (Processors, Importers or Exporters, Brands, Distributors) for the following product categories: Coffee, Cocoa, Tea, Fruits, Nuts, Vegetables, Cut flowers (and Herbs/Spices according to the Chain of Custody perimeter). Here are some of the main objectives of the Rainforest Alliance label:
Discover the Rainforest Alliance Certification Program
HOW DOES THE RAINFOREST ALLIANCE HELP COMPLY WITH THE EUDR? (European Union Deforestation Regulation)
Coffee and cocoa companies will have to meet the requirements of the European Union's regulation against deforestation and forest degradation (EUDR) by December 2024. The Rainforest Alliance is ready to leverage its strong certification and due diligence tools to help its coffee and cocoa partners comply with the EUDR by then. Companies and, by association, the farmers they source from will need to be prepared to prove that their products do not come from deforested land. The Rainforest Alliance is making the necessary adjustments to ensure that systems and tools can meet the needs of the EUDR in two key areas:
RAINFOREST ALLIANCE 2020 x ECOCERT As of July 2021 Ecocert can audit and certify under the Rainforest Alliance 2020 program . As a Certification Body, Ecocert certifies "farms, groups of farmers and companies. They ensure that labeled groups are in line with the Rainforest Alliance's sustainable agriculture and chain-of-custody/control standards."
KEY FIGURES
Find out more about Rainforest Alliance certification by Ecocert