Rainforest Alliance is a private certification scheme that verifies sustainable agricultural practices covering environmental protection, biodiversity conservation and social and economic conditions for farmers and workers across certified supply chains.
In trade practice
Following its merger with the UTZ programme, Rainforest Alliance operates a single standard applicable to crops including tea, coffee, cocoa and certain fruit. Certified suppliers must maintain chain-of-custody documentation and submit volume reports through the scheme’s online platform. Buyers using the certification mark on pack are required to hold their own chain-of-custody licence and verify that sourced volumes match certified supply records.
In a specification
Where a buyer requires Rainforest Alliance status, the contract should state the applicable standard version, require a valid chain-of-custody certificate and define volume-reporting obligations.