BONN, Germany – Five more sustainability schemes have been recognized by the Global Coffee Platform (GCP) as equivalent to the Coffee Sustainability Reference Code (Coffee SR Code). GCP announced last month the recognition of 4C and the Rainforest Alliance Sustainable Agriculture Standard as equivalent to the Coffee SR Code, 3rd party assurance, and ECOM’s SMS Verified, Enveritas’ Enveritas Green and Sucafina’s IMPACT as equivalent to the Coffee SR Code, 2nd party assurance.
The number of sustainability schemes fully recognized by GCP now amounts to 19, further expanding the critical mass to advance and accelerate coffee sustainability.
Sector alignment for coffee sustainability
Since GCP released the Equivalence Mechanism (EM) 2.0 in November last year – a process which saw the tool being strengthened with stricter sustainability and operational criteria – schemes have been aligning their systems to become equivalent to the Coffee SR Code.
This code is 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 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.
According to Annette Pensel, GCP Executive Director, the Global Coffee Platform “applauds the action by these GCP Members to step up and align their sustainability schemes through the Coffee SR Code and GCP Equivalence Mechanism.”
“This commitment to the use of a common language and the increasing openness to transparency is a critical feature to understand, advance and accelerate coffee sustainability.”
For the assessment of the sustainability schemes, GCP partnered with the International Trade Centre, which, as GCP implementation partner, assessed 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.
“The recognition of 4C as Coffee SR Code equivalent, 3rd party assurance, reinforces our position as a reliable and comprehensive 3rd party certification system and strengthens our commitment to collaborating with the coffee sector to advance sustainability” said Norbert Schmitz, Managing Director, 4C Services.
“GCP’s EM and the Coffee SR Code are crucial for providing a common language and a recognized framework for coffee sustainability. We are dedicated to continuing working closely with GCP to create a more sustainable future for coffee.”
“As active members of the GCP Board and Technical Committee, the GCP recognition of the Rainforest Alliance Sustainable Agriculture Standard as Coffee SR Code equivalent, 3rd party assurance, is vital to affirm our commitment to coffee sustainability” said Miguel Gamboa, Sector Lead Coffee at the Rainforest Alliance.
“It helps enhance our credibility and reputation with stakeholders, fostering collaboration and partnerships. This recognition strengthens our dedication to the sector, motivating us to diligently advance coffee sustainability, promote more responsible practices, and contribute to the industry’s long-term well-being.”
”The recognition of SMS Verified as Coffee SR Code equivalent – 2nd party assurance, gives independent confidence to our buyers that SMS Verified provides a credible and viable sustainable solution” said Sue Garnett, Director Sustainable Business Programme, ECOM
“The recognition that SMS Verified has achieved will provide greater sourcing opportunities for roasters who see supply chain integrity as key to their own sourcing needs and reporting requirements, thus supporting ECOM’s SMS agronomists to broaden the inclusion of farmers into our SMS program.”
“GCP and Enveritas share a common aspiration to improve the livelihoods of coffee farmers, and protect the environment for future generations. We are committed to working together with other coffee organizations, such as this collaboration with GCP to align on sustainability standards”, said David Browning, CEO, Enveritas.
“Developing a sustainable coffee industry is a journey not a destination and will require supporting smallholder farmers facing economic pressures while simultaneously addressing environmental challenges.”
“We are proud that Sucafina’s IMPACT program has been recognized by GCP as equivalent to the Coffee SR Code, 2nd party assurance. GCP equivalence provides credible, independent validation that IMPACT includes global social, economic, and environmental standards that drive positive, measurable change in key areas of coffee sustainability” said Suzanne Uittenbogaard, Sucafina’s Group Sustainability Program Manager.
“GCP equivalence also supports our ambition to create a fairer, more resilient, and more transparent coffee industry by investing in farmers, caring for people, and protecting our planet.”
