More sustainability schemes recognized as speaking a common language
Global Coffee Platform recognizes four new sustainability schemes as equivalent to the Coffee Sustainability Reference Code, 2nd party assurance.
BONN, GERMANY (7 August 2024). In the latest efforts to align the coffee sector through the use of a common language, four sustainability schemes have been added to the growing list of schemes recognized by the Global Coffee Platform (GCP) as equivalent to the Coffee Sustainability Reference Code (Coffee SR Code). The news has been hailed as key to promoting and advancing coffee sustainability.
“We applaud the response to the latest call for sector alignment on coffee sustainability, which these four sustainability schemes have boldly answered by aligning on the principles and practices of coffee sustainability,” said Annette Pensel, Executive Director, GCP.
GCP announced today the recognition of Cooxupé’s Gerações, Comexim’s Green Trace, Perhusa’s ARTS and Touton’s PACT as equivalent to the Coffee SR Code, 2nd party assurance.
A language for coffee sustainability
The Coffee SR Code was developed as a reference for the coffee sector to align on foundational sustainability practices and principles, covering economic, social and environmental dimensions. According to Mario Vega, GCP’s Senior Manager Sustainable Sourcing, sustainability schemes that go through the GCP Equivalence Mechanism Process successfully – including the four announced today – are recognized to have adopted practices and principles that are at least equivalent to the Coffee SR Code.
GCP’s Equivalence Mechanism also entails assessment against a set of operational criteria that ensures a credible and effective system for implementation and includes governance, standard-setting, assurance, data and claims requirements. To ensure integrity of the process, GCP partners with the International Trade Centre (ITC), which rigorously assesses the schemes.
The number of sustainability schemes recognized by GCP as 3rd party and 2nd party assurance now amounts to 23, representing encouraging progress for sector alignment on coffee sustainability.
“GCP is delighted to see the collective commitment from these sustainability schemes representing different segments of the supply chain,” said Vega.
“In this announcement we have a cooperative, two exporters, and a trader leading these sustainability schemes – all classified as 2nd party assurance. The diversity of all 23 sustainability schemes now recognized by GCP represent a critical advancement for coffee: the creation of a common baseline understanding of sustainability.”
Vega asserted that GCP Members, especially roasters and retailers using sustainability schemes as part of their sourcing strategies can “confidently use the GCP recognition of equivalence to the Coffee SR Code either 3rd or 2nd party assurance as a starting point for their own due diligence, and a further step for coffee sustainability through collective action”.
“With each passing day, the market demands greater transparency and traceability in coffee, ensuring a safe product at every stage, from the farm to the final consumer.
Green Trace, recognized by the Global Coffee Platform as Coffee SR Code equivalent, 2nd party assurance, reinforces Comexim’s commitment, importance, and dedication to monitoring and implementing criteria throughout its supply chain, acting responsibly and gradually, with corrective measures and the application of the concept of continuous improvement in the supply chain.”
Thiego Duarte
Sustainability Department, Comexim
“GCP is one of the main platforms where the global coffee chain can gather to discuss and build a path toward sustainability. It is a place where producers have an active voice, bringing their challenges and contributing their perspectives on how support should be directed to improve their livelihoods, ensuring they thrive in coffee production.
For Cooxupé, having our Sustainability Protocol, Gerações, recognized as Coffee SR Code equivalent, 2nd party assurance, is a moment of joy and awareness. Gerações was developed by Brazilian farmers for tropical coffee plantations, considering all our diversity while preserving the uniqueness of each farmer in each biome, looking forward to the next generation (the meaning of Gerações).
Natalia Fernandes Carr
Manager / ESG Department, Cooxupé
“Having achieved the recognition of ARTS as Coffee SR Code equivalent, 2nd party assurance reinforces our commitment. The goals and objectives – to which PERALES HUANCARUNA SAC (PERHUSA) is committed – are born from an analysis, verification and experience of the 30 years that PERHUSA manages organized groups of coffee growers throughout the country.
By aligning our program, ARTS, with the Global Coffee Platform (GCP) Coffee SR Code, we will expand our collaborative work with coffee growing allies who are also seeking the comprehensive sustainability of this sector, and who, like PERHUSA, cultivate long-term ethical relationships, recognizing the quality and traceability of our coffees.”
Elí Arcadio Huancaruna Perales
CEO, PERHUSA
“In our constantly evolving agricultural, economic, and climatic context, the Global Coffee Platform (GCP) Coffee SR Code serves as a reassuring signal to stakeholders, demonstrating the sector’s dedication to addressing present and future challenges. We are pleased that our PACT Standard, which encompasses coffee, cocoa, and spices, is recognised by GCP as Coffee SR Code equivalent, 2nd party assurance, paving the way for resilient coffee supply chains and sustainable sourcing by Touton. This recognition reinforces our commitment to advancing coffee sustainability.
Thomas Delbar
Sustainability Director – Coffee & Ingredients, Touton
SUSTAINABILITY SCHEMES
CURRENTLY RECOGNIZED BY GCP AS
EQUIVALENT TO THE COFFEE SR CODE
3rd PARTY
ASSURANCE
4C
Fairtrade International, Small Producer Organization and Coffee Standard
Fair Trade USA’s Agriculture Production Standard
Rainforest Alliance Sustainable Agriculture Standard
2nd PARTY
ASSURANCE
Cooxupé’s Gerações
Comexim’s Green Trace
ECOM’s SMS Verified
Enveritas’ Enveritas Green
Exportadora de Café Guaxupé’s Guaxupé Planet
Louis Dreyfus Company’s Responsible Sourcing Program Advanced
Montesanto Tavares Group’s GMT Green
Nespresso AAA Sustainable Quality™ Program
Neumann Kaffee Gruppe’s NKG BLOOM, and
NKG Verified
ofi’s AtSourceV, and
AtSource+
Perhusa’s ARTS
Racafé’s CRECER
3E® by RGC Coffee
Sucafina’s IMPACT
Touton’s PACT
Volcafe’s Volcafe Verified, and
Volcafe Excellence
What does it mean to be Equivalent 2nd or 3rd party?
2nd Party assurance is often referred to as verification and 3rd party assurance is often referred to as certification. The main difference between these two levels of assurance is that 3rd Party assurance includes the independent oversight of the competency of the entity performing the assessments/audits to ensure effectiveness and impartiality., this includes but goes beyond third-party audits at farm level.
2nd Party assurance is often referred to as verification and 3rd party assurance is often referred to as certification. The main differences between these two levels of assurance are that 3rd Party assurance:
i) includes the independent oversight of the competency of the entity performing the assessments/audits to ensure effectiveness and impartiality, this includes but goes beyond third-party audits at farm level
ii) the scheme is not managed or owned by the certificate holder, audit firms, or buyer.
What is the GCP Equivalence Mechanism?
The GCP Equivalence Mechanism is a framework developed by GCP to assess whether a scheme can be considered equivalent to the Coffee Sustainability Reference Code, a sector-wide reference on the foundations of sustainability in economic, social and environmental dimensions for green coffee production and primary processing worldwide. GCP’s Equivalence Process evaluates whether a sustainability scheme meets both the Code and a set of operational criteria (including governance, standard-setting, assurance, data and claims requirements). This helps to ensure that recognized sustainability schemes have a credible and effective system for implementation.
What is the Coffee Sustainability Reference Code (Coffee SR Code)?
The Coffee SR Code provides sustainability stakeholders with a simplified and fit-for-purpose framework to foster better understanding of principles that support baseline sustainable coffee production. In addition, it addresses ongoing challenges in the coffee sustainability landscape as well as key emerging concerns such as climate change, or diversity, equity and inclusion. The Code provides the sector with a common language to collectively advance farmers’ prosperity, social well-being, and the conservation of nature. It is available in Bahasa, English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
What is GCP Collective Reporting on Sustainable Coffee Purchases?
Through GCP Collective Reporting on Sustainable Coffee Purchases, roasters and retailers commit to collectively and transparently report their sustainable coffee purchases in the annual GCP Snapshot. These leading coffee companies apply aligned reporting metrics that illustrate leadership, achievements and progress to continually increase their purchases of sustainable coffees from diverse origins worldwide.
Interested in reporting? Contact GCP to start now!
