
GCP Equivalence Mechanism
Ensuring schemes meet the Coffee Sustainability Reference Code
Ensuring schemes meet the Coffee Sustainability Reference Code
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 (Coffee SR 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 SR 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. Aligning efforts and using a common language allows the coffee sector to better understand sustainability and identify which schemes meet at least baseline practices of sustainability in a credible and effective manner.
The Equivalence Mechanism, together with the Coffee SR Code and the GCP Collective Reporting on Sustainable Coffee Purchases are connected assets developed by GCP to offer a common language on the foundations for coffee sustainability and promote the supply and demand of coffee produced following at least baseline sustainability principles.
For the assessment of the sustainability schemes, GCP partners with the International Trade Centre, which, as GCP implementation partner, assesses the schemes against the principles and practices of the Coffee SR Code and the Operational Criteria of the EM 2.0 ensuring the integrity of the recognition process. Following successful assessment and GCP recognition, sustainability schemes are eligible for roasters and retailers to be included in the annual GCP Collective Reporting on Sustainable Coffee Purchases, another way companies are aligning to advance coffee sustainability globally.
Depending on their assurance model they are classified as GCP Coffee SR Code equivalent 2nd Party or 3rd Party assurance.
In total, 17 sustainability schemes are currently recognized by GCP (see table below). Two schemes have been recognized as equivalent – 3rd party assurance and 15 schemes as equivalent – 2nd party assurance. They are all eligible to be included in the GCP Collective Reporting on Sustainable Coffee Purchases.
Applications are now open for additional schemes interested in being assessed. Please contact info@globalcoffeeplatform.org for more information.
SUSTAINABILITY SCHEMES
CURRENTLY RECOGNIZED BY GCP
EQUIVALENT TO THE COFFEE SR CODE
3rd PARTY
ASSURANCE
4C
Rainforest Alliance Sustainable Agriculture Standard
2nd PARTY
ASSURANCE
ECOM’s SMS Verified
Enveritas’ Enveritas Green
Exportadora de Café Guaxupé’s Guaxupé Planet
Louis Dreyfus Company’s Responsible Sourcing Program Advanced
Mercon’s LIFT
Nespresso AAA Sustainable Quality™ Program
Neumann Kaffee Gruppe’s NKG BLOOM and NKG Verified
ofi’s AtSourceV and AtSource+
Racafé’s CRECER
3E® by RGC Coffee
Sucafina’s IMPACT
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.
Catch up on the launch webinar where industry voices discussed the Equivalence Mechanism revision, its broad consultation and its potential application to drive coffee sustainability.
Follow the conversation between:
If you are interested in older versions of the mechanism, you can access them here: GCP Equivalence Mechanism 1.2
For more information regarding the Equivalence Mechanism, please contact: