AFRICAN 
STANDARD  DARS  
1000 -1 
First Edition 2020  
 
 Reference No. DARS 1000 -1:2020 (E) 
ICS 03.100.70 ; 67.140.30  
 
 
© ARSO 2020  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sustainable cocoa — Part 1:  Requirements for Cocoa Farmer as an 
Entity /Farmer Group /Cooperative — Management System s and 
Performance  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 DARS 1000 -1:2020  
© ARSO 2020 — All rights reserved    
Table of contents  
 
1 Scope  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  1 
2 Normative references  ................................ ................................ ................................ .....................  1 
3 Terms and definitions  ................................ ................................ ................................ .....................  1 
4 General requirements  ................................ ................................ ................................ .....................  9 
4.1 Understanding the Farmer/ Farmer Group/ Cooperative as Entities  and its context  ..............  9 
4.2 Registration of farmer as an Entity and Farmers in Farmer Group/ Cooperative  ..................  9 
5 Leadership  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 12 
5.1 Leadership and commitment  ................................ ................................ ...............................  12 
5.2        Policy ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 13 
5.3 Organizational roles, responsibilities and authorities  ................................ ..........................  13 
6 Planning for Farmer as an Entity/ Farmer Group/Cooperative Management System s ...............  14 
6.1 Threats and opportunities  ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 14 
6.2 Management objectives  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....... 14 
7 Support for Farmer as an Entity/ Farmer Group/Cooperative Management system s .................  14 
7.1 Resources  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............................  14 
7.2 Competence  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........................  15 
7.3 Sensitization……………………………………………………………………………………..... 15                                                                                                                           
7.4        Communication  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....................  15 
7.5 Documented information  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...... 15 
8 Operational activities  ................................ ................................ ................................ ....................  16 
8.1 Annual work plan for the Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative  .........................  16 
8.2 Cocoa Farm Development Plan  ................................ ................................ ..........................  16 
9 Performance evaluation  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...............  18 
9.1 Monitoring and measurement  ................................ ................................ ..............................  18 
9.2 Internal audit  ................................ ................................ ................................ ........................  18 
9.3 Management review  ................................ ................................ ................................ ............  19 
10 Improvement for Management System s ................................ ................................ ......................  20 
11 Requirements related to economic aspects  ................................ ................................ .................  20 
11.1 General  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................  20 
11.2 Capacity building on accounting and enabling access to financial credits  ..........................  21 
11.3 Farm agronomic performance and good agricultural practices  ................................ ...........  21 
12 Requirements related to social aspects  ................................ ................................ .......................  23 
12.1 General  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................  23 
12.2 Human rights policy  ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  23 
12.3 Prevention of discrimination, harassment and abuse  ................................ ..........................  24 
12.4 Gender equality and women and youth empowerment  ................................ .......................  24 
12.5 Children's rights  ................................ ................................ ................................ ...................  25 
12.6 Child labour and worst forms of c hild labour  ................................ ................................ ....... 26 
12.7 Employment and contractual relations  ................................ ................................ ................  26 
12.8 Occupational health and safety  ................................ ................................ ...........................  27 
12.9 Social protection systems  ................................ ................................ ................................ .... 27 
12.10     Freedom of association and collective bargaining policy  ................................ ....................  27 
13 Requirements related to environmental aspects  ................................ ................................ ..........  28 
13.1 General  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................  28 
13.2 Protection of water bodies  ................................ ................................ ................................ ... 28 
13.3 Requirements for administration and safe storage of agrochemicals  ................................ . 28 
13.4 Ecosystem protection  ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  29 
13.5 Waste management  ................................ ................................ ................................ .............  30 
Annex A (normative)  Process for establishing the Cocoa Farm Development Plan (CFDP)  ..............  31 
Annex B (informative)  Guidance for estimating st art-up and recurring costs  ................................ ...... 33 
Annex C (normative)  Information on individual farms for cocoa farm diagnosis  ................................ . 36 
Annex D (normative)  Implementation and content of the Cocoa Farm Development Plan .................  38 
Annex E (informative)  Cocoa Farm Development Plan — Guidance for registered farmers  39 
Alphabetical Index of Terms……… ….. ……………….............. .............................. ................    40                                                                                                                                   
Bibliography  ................................ ................................ ................................ ................................ ..........  43 
  
 Foreword  
 
The African Organization for Standardiza tion (ARS O) is an African intergovernmental organization 
established by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and the Organization of 
African Unity (AU)  in 1977 . One of the fundamental mandates of ARSO is to develop and harmoniz e 
African Standards (ARS) for the purpose of enhancing Africa’s internal trading capacity, increase 
Africa’s product and service competitiveness globally and uplift the welfare of African co mmunities.  
The work of preparing African  Standards is normally carried out through ARSO  technical committees. 
Each Member State  interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been established has 
the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, Regional Economic 
Communities (RECs), governmental and non -governmental  organizations , in liaison with ARSO , also 
take part in the work.  
 
ARSO  Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.  
 
The main task of technical committees is to prepare ARSO  Standards. Draft ARSO  Standards 
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an 
ARSO  Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.  
 
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of 
patent rights. ARSO  shall not be hel d responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.  
 
These African Standard s were  prepared by ARSO/THC 02 -5, Technical Working Group on  Coffee, 
Cocoa, Tea and Similar Products  under the mandate of ARSO /THC 02 -6, Technical Harmonization 
Committee Number 2 on Agriculture and Food Products  (ARSO/THC 0 2) 
 
 
 
 
 
© African Organisation for Standardisation  2020 — All rights reserved* 
 
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P. O. Box 57363 — 00200 City Square  
NAIROBI, KENYA  
 
Tel. +254 -20-2224561, +254 -20-3311641, +254 -20-3311608  
 
E-mail: arso@arso -oran.org  
Web: www.arso -oran.org  
  
 
* © 2020 ARSO — All rights of exploitation reserved worldwide for African Member States’ NSBs.  DARS 1000 -1:2020  
© ARSO 2020 — All rights reserved    
Copyright notice  
 
This ARSO document is copyright -protected by ARSO. While the reproduction of this document 
by participants in the ARSO standards development process is permitted without prior 
permission from ARSO, neither this document nor any extract from it may be reproduced, stored 
or transmitted in any form for any other purpose without prior written permission from ARSO.  
 
Requests for permission to reproduce this do cument for the purpose of selling it should be 
addressed as shown below or to ARSO’s member body in the country of the requester:  
 
 
© African Organisation for Standardisation 20 20 — All rights reserved  
 
ARSO Central Secretariat  
International House 3rd Floo r 
P.O. Box 57363 — 00200 City Square  
NAIROBI, KENYA  
 
Tel: +254 -20-2224561, +254 -20-3311641, +254 -20-3311608  
 
E-mail: arso@arso -oran.org  
Web: www.arso -oran.org  
 
Reproduction for sales purposes may be subject to royalty payments or a licensing agreement. 
Violators may be p rosecuted.  
 
 
 
   
 Introduction  
 
The purpose of th is African Standard is to promote and maintain a framework for the production of 
sustainable cocoa beans based on the principle of continuous improvement. To achieve the objective, 
the following requirements are included in the African standards: (1) Promo ting, structuring and 
supporting Farmers/ farmer organization efficiently;  (2) Improving farmer’s income and resilience of 
their livelihoods;  (3) Addressing cocoa quality ; (4) Addressing traceability from the farm to export;  (5) 
Addressing worst forms of c hild labour;  (6) Addressing deforestation and climate change.  
 
Although a diverse range of Recognised Entities can apply this Standard  to their activities, it is 
important that Farmer as an entity /Farmer Group/Cooperative be key delivery mechanism for a 
sustainable cocoa economy, and that such Recognised Entities be robust, professional and truly 
representative of the registered cocoa farmers they serve. Farmer as an entity /Farmer 
Group/Cooperative  should be able to have access to markets, better access to financing and capacity 
building programs so that they can improve their incomes, thus their living conditions. It is expected 
that interested parties work together to help them achieve this. Also,  this document is to empower 
cocoa farmers to make informed choices about economic, social and environmental impacts of 
activities and investments planned on their farms through the Cocoa Farm Development Plan 
(CFDP). For cocoa to be farmed sustainably, it  is necessary for improvements to be achieved and 
maintained across all three pillars.  
 
This African Standard  series  1000 is  designed to be relevant to interested parties within the cocoa 
sector  and is in three parts as follows:  
 
Standard  Title Object /Application  
 
 
 
 
ARS 1000 -1 Requirements for 
Cocoa Farmer as an 
Entity/Farmer 
Group/Cooperative 
Management 
System s and 
Performance  This Standard  is intended to structure the management 
system of the registered farmer , Farmer as an Entity/Farmer 
Group/Cooperative to enhance performance in the 
production of sustainable cocoa and their livelihood. The 
requirements include economic, social and environmental 
aspects .  
 
ARS 1000 -2 Requirements for 
Cocoa Quality and 
Traceability  This Standard  is intended to be used by all stakeholders in 
the cocoa value chain to promote and maintain the quality of 
cocoa beans and establish traceability of cocoa from the 
farm to the point of Export . 
 
 
ARS1000 -3 Requirements for 
Cocoa Certification 
Scheme  This Standard  is intended for certification bodies involved in 
auditing cocoa farms as well as for registered farm ers 
wishing to be audited by a third party certification body in 
order to make claims of conformity. This Standard  also 
addresses requirements to t he Regulator/Legal Entity  and 
Supervisory Council.  
 
Sustainably produced cocoa beans are obtained by fulfilling the requirements in ARS 1000 -1 and 
ARS 1000 -2 Standards . Farmers as an Entities/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall be certified by a third 
party approved by the Regulator /Legal Entity  to demonstrate compliance to these two Standards .  
 
In this Standard : 
 
— “shall” indicates a requirement;  
 
— “should” indicates a recommendation;  
 
— “may” indicates a permission;  
 
— “can” indicates a possibility or a capability.  
 
Information marked “NOTE” is for guidance in understanding or clarifying the associated requirement.  
 DARS 1000 -1:2020  
© ARSO 2020 — All rights reserved    
Sustainable cocoa — Part 1:  Requirements for Cocoa Farmer as an 
Entity /Farmer Group /Cooperative — Management system s and 
Performance  
 
 
1 Scope  
 
This African Standard specifies the r equirements for Cocoa  Farmer as an Entity/Farmer 
Group/Cooperative  to comply with Management System s and for performance relating to structuring 
the management of  Farmer as  an Entity /Farmer Group/Cooperative to enhance performance and 
meet the economic, social and environmental pillars for sustainable cocoa bean  (Theob roma cacao  
Linnaeus ) production . 
 
2 Normative references  
 
There are no normative references.  
 
3 Terms and definitions  
 
For the purpose of this Standard the following definition s apply . 
 
3.1 
agricultural worker  
person engaged in agriculture, whether as a wage earner or a self -employed person such as a tenant 
or sharecropper  
 
3.2 
annual work plan  
set of defined activities over a period of one year which are interconnected and contribute to the same 
broader aim or objective  
 
3.3 
audit  
systematic, independent and documented process for obtaining objective evidence  and evaluating it 
objectively to determine the extent to which the audit criteria are fulfilled. An audit could be internal or 
external  
 
Note 1 : An internal audit is conducted  by the Recognised Entity itself or by an external party on its behalf.  
 
Note  2: External audits include those generally called second and third party audits. Second party audits are  conducted by 
parties having an interest in the organization, such as customers or by other persons on their behalf. Third party audits are 
conducted by external, independent auditing organizations.  
 
3.4 
audit criteri a 
set of policies, procedures or requirements used as a reference against which audit evidence is 
compared . 
 
Note  1: If the audit criteria are legal (including statutory or regulatory) requirements, the terms “compliant” or “noncompliant” 
are often used in an audit finding . 
 
Note 2: Within the meaning of  ISO 19011 [3].  
 
3.5 
audit findings  
results of the evaluation of the collected audit evidence  against audit criteria  
 
Note 1: Audit findings indicate conformity or nonconformity.  
  
AFRICAN STANDARD   
 Note 2:  Audit findings can lead to the identification of opportunities for improvement or recording good practices.  
 
Note  3: If the audit criteria are selected from legal or other requirements, the audit finding is termed compliance or non -
compliance.  
 
Note 4 :  Within the meaning of  ISO 19011 [3]  
 
3.6 
audit evidence  
records, statements of fact or other information which are relevant to the audit criteria  and verifiable  
 
Note 1: Audit evidence can be qualitative or quantitative.  
 
Note 2 :  Within the meaning of  ISO 10911 [3].  
 
3.7 
child  
human being below the age of 18  years  
 
Note 1:   As defined in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and referred to in the ILO Convention 182 [9 ]. 
 
Note 2:     National applicable statutory or regulatory requirements may define a different age limit for a child.  
 
3.8 
child labour  
work that deprives children of their childhood, their potential and their dignity, and that is harmful to 
their physical and mental development.  
 
Note 1 : Child labour specifically refers to work, hazardous or not, that is mentally, physically, socially or morally dangerous 
and harmful to children, and interferes with their schooling by depriving them of the opportunity to attend school, or obligi ng 
them to leave school prematurely, or requiring them to attempt to combine sc hool attendance with excessively long and heavy 
work.  
 
Note 2 : Child labour is differentiated from child/light work.  
 
Note 3 : Child  labour is described in the ILO Convention 138 [13].  
 
3.9 
child/light work  
work performed by children that is appropriate for their age and level of maturity and which does not 
affect their health and personal development or interfere with their schooling.  
   
Note : Child/light work includes activities such as helping their parents around the home or assisting in non-hazardous 
activities on a cocoa farm outside school hours and/or during school holidays. Child/light work encompasses the kind of 
activities that contribute to children’s development and to the welfare of their families; they provide them with skills a nd 
experience, and help to prepare them to be productive members of society.  
 
3.10 
coaching  
further specialist training or support to an individual farmer or group of farmers as appropriate  
 
3.11 
cocoa  
cocoa beans or derived products . 
 
3.12 
cocoa bean  
seed of the cocoa tree ( Theobroma cacao  Linnaeus ), commercially , and for the purposes of this African Standard, 
the term refers to the whole seed, which has been fermented and dried.  
 
3.13 
cocoa farm  
one or several cocoa fields  
 
3.14 
cocoa farm development plan (CFDP)  DARS 1000 -1:2020  
© ARSO 2020 — All rights reserved   documented information to guide individual registered farmers, using a stepwise approach, towards 
sustainable cocoa farm management.  
 
3.15 
cocoa field  
parcel of land on which cocoa trees are planted in clearly definable and homogene ous areas intended 
for cocoa production  
 
Note 1: Parameters for homogeneous areas can be planting materials, good agricultural practices, soil fertility and farm 
conditions such as age and density of the trees.  
 
Note 2 :  A cocoa field can include other cr ops additional to cocoa trees.  
 
 
3.16 
competence  
ability to apply knowledge and skills to achieve intended results  
 
Note :  Demonstrated competence is sometimes referred to as qualification.  
 
3.17 
conformity  
fulfillment of a requirement . 
 
3.18 
continual improvement  
recurring activity to enhance performance  
 
Note :  The process of establishing objectives and finding opportunities for improvement is a continual process through the 
use of assessment and audit, analysis of data, management reviews o r other means.  
 
3.19 
corrective action  
action to eliminate the cause of a nonconformity and to prevent recurrence  
 
Note 1 : There can be more than one cause for a nonconformity.  
 
Note 2:  Corrective action is taken to prevent recurrence whereas preventive action is taken to prevent occurrence.  
 
3.20 
cost recovery mechanisms  
contractual agreements allowing first buyers or external interested parties to recoup their investment 
in the start -up costs of implementation over a period of time with the premium, to allow Farmer as an 
Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative to receive a fair  percentage of the premium  
 
EXAMPLE :  Cost recovery mechanisms may include long -term relationships or agreements for right of first refusal.  
 
3.21 
customer  
person or entity that could or does receive a product or a service that is intended for or required by 
this person or entity  
 
EXAMPLE :  Consumer, client, end -user, retailer or receiver of product or service from an internal process, beneficiary or 
purchaser.  
 
3.22 
documented information  
information required to be controlled and maintained by a Recognised Entity and the medium on 
which it is contained . 
 
Note 1: Documented information can be in any format and media and from any source.  
 
Note 2: Documented information can refer t o: 
— the Management Systems  including related processes;  
— information created in order for the Recognised Entity to operate (documentation);  
— evidence of results achieved (records).    
  
 
3.23 
ecosystem  
dynamic complex of plant, animal and micro -organism communities and their non -living environment 
interacting as a functional unit  
 
3.24 
effectiveness  
extent to which planned activities are realized and planned results are achieved  
 
3.25 
farmer  
individual that owns a farm.  
 
Note: This includes a tenant, but excludes a sharecropper who works on a farm on behalf of the farm owner.  
 
3.26 
farmer as an entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative [recognised entity]  
person or group of people that has its own functions with responsibilities, authorities and relationships 
to achieve its objectives.  
 
3.27 farmer premium  
funds payment to a registered farmer for sustainably produced cocoa in addition to the actual price f or 
equivalent cocoa.  
 
Note 1: Premium is paid  in cash or bank transfer or any legal accepted form of payment.   
 
Note 2:  Premium is an additional money paid by the first buyer of a certified sustainable cocoa product to compensate the 
farmer for effort made t be in compliance with ARSO standards.  
 
Note 3: Farmer as an Entity,  /Farmer G roups  /Cooperatives also benefit from this premium . 
 
3.28 
fertilizer  
material of natural or synthetic origin (other than liming materials) that is applied to soils or to plant 
tissues (usually leaves) to supply one or more plant nutrients essential to the growth and productivity 
of plants.  
 
Note 1: This covers  
a) organic fertilizer and inorganic fertilizer;  
b) soil applied and foliar fertilizer;  
c) single and compound fertilizer.  
 
Note 2: It does not cover the function of organic material to increase or maintain the microbial soil life necessary to facilitate 
nutrient uptake.  
 
3.29 
forced labour  
work that is performed involuntarily and under the menace of any penalty  
 
Note:  Forced labour refers to situations in which persons are coerced to work through the use of violence or intimidation or 
by subtler  means such as manipulated debt, retention of identity papers or threats of denunciation to immigration authorities.  
 
3.30 
gend er 
socially constructed characteristics of women and men  
 
Note: Socially constructed characteristics include norms, roles and relationships of and between groups of women and men.  
 
3.31 
habitat  
natural home or environment of an animal, plant or other organ ism 
 
 DARS 1000 -1:2020  
© ARSO 2020 — All rights reserved    
 
3.32 
“hazardous conditions ” [hazardous work]  
work carried out in dangerous or unhealthy conditions that could result in injuries and/or illness as a 
consequence of poor safety and health conditions and working arrangements.  
 
Note 1: Some injuries or ill health can result in permanent disability.  
 
Note 2: Often health problems caused by working in unhealthy environments may not develop or show up until several years 
after the exposure to the unhealthy conditions.  
 
Note 3:  Dangerous work is work that affects the safety and health of the worker.  
 
Note 4:  Each party to ILO Convention 182 on the worst forms of child labour adopts a national list of hazardous activities for 
children  
 
3.33 
hired worker  
agricultural worker employ ed for agricultural activities and paid for the execution of these activities.  
 
Note 1: A hired worker is distinct from a family labourer.  
 
Note 2:  This may also include paid working groups . 
 
3.34 
human rights  
set of equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family  
 
Note: Human rights are specified in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), the International Convention on 
Economic Social and Cultural Rights (1966), as well as other conventions, treaties and national laws.  
 
3.35 
integrated pest and disease management  
approach that emphasises the growth of a healthy crop with the least possible disruption to agro -
ecosystems and encourages natural pest and disease control mechanisms  
 
Note 1: Natural pest  and disease control  mechanisms can be such as biological control, habitat manipulation, modification of 
cultural practices, and use of resistant varieties  
 
Note 2: Integrated pest and disease management is a consideration of all available plant protection methods and subsequ ent 
integration of appropriate measures that discourage the development of populations of harmful organisms and keep the use of 
plant protection products and other forms of intervention to levels that are economically and ecologically justified and redu ce or 
minimise risks to human health and the environment. As described in the University of California State -wide Integrated Pest 
Management Project, 1997[ 27] and Directive 2009/128/EC [ 5]. 
 
3.36 
management  
coordinated activities to direct and control a Recognized Entity.  
 
Note:  Management can include establishing policies and objectives and processes to achieve these objectives.  
 
3.37 
management system s 
set of interrelated or interacting elements of recognised entity to establish policies and objectives and 
processes to achieve those objectives.  
 
Note 1: A Management System can address a single discipline or several disciplines, e.g. sustainability management or food 
safety management or both or more.  
 
Note 2:  The scope of a Management System may include the whole of the Recognised Entity, specific and identified 
functions of the Recognised Entity, specific and identified sections of the Recognised Entity, or one or more functions across a 
group of Recognised Entity.  
 
3.38 
measurement  
process to determine a value   
  
 
3.39 
monitoring  
determining the status of a system, a process or an activity  
 
Note:  To determine the status, there is a need to check, supervise or critically observe.  
 
3.40 
objective  
result to be achieved  
 
Note 1: An objective can be strategic, tactical, or operational.  
 
Note 2: Objectives can relate to different disciplines (such as financial, health and safety, and environmental  objectives) and 
can apply at different levels (such as strategic, organization -wide, project, product, service and process).  
 
Note 3: An objective can be expressed in other ways, e.g. as an intended result, a purpose, an operational criterion, as a 
cocoa sustainability objective, or by the use of other words with similar meaning (e.g. aim, goal, or target).  
 
3.41 
performance  
measurable result  
 
Note 1: Performance can relate either to quantitative or qualitative findings.  
 
Note 2:  Performance can relate to the management of activities, processes, products, services, systems or recognised entity.  
 
3.42 
policy  
orientations  and direction of a recognised entity, as formally expressed by its top management.  
 
3.43 
process  
set of interrelated or interacting activities which transforms inputs into outputs  
 
Note 1: Inputs to a process are generally the outputs of other processes.  
 
Note 2:  Processes in a Recognised Entity are generally planned and carried out under controlled conditi ons to add value.  
 
3.44 
primary forest  
forest that has never been logged or cut and has developed following natural disturbances and under 
natural processes, regardless of its age  
 
3.45 
protected area  
clearly defined geographical space, recognised, dedicated and managed, through legal or other 
effective means, to achieve the long-term conservation of nature with associated ecosystem services 
and cultural values  
 
3.46 
registered farmer  
individual cocoa f armer or who is part of a F armer Group/Cooperative and is recognized by the 
Regulator /Legal Entity . 
 
3.47 
regular hired worker  
agricultural worker employed over several periods of time by the same farmer/employer to perform 
agricultural activities  
 
3.48 
risk inventory  
identification of risks that might occur within the local context of the Recognized Entity.  DARS 1000 -1:2020  
© ARSO 2020 — All rights reserved    
Note 1:  Risks may be specified according to the topic of the risk inventory.  
 
Note 2: The local context includes the activities of the organization and registered farmers.  
 
3.49 
requirement  
need or expectation that is stated, generally implied or obligatory  
 
Note 1: “Generally implied” means that it is custom or common practice for the organization and interested parties that the 
need or expectation under consideration is implied.  
 
Note 2: A specified requirement is one that is stated, for example in documented information.  
 
3.50 
resilience  
capacity of people or recognised entity to anticipate, prepare for, respond and adapt to and recover 
from changes, stresses and shocks  
 
3.51 
risk 
effect of uncertainty on objectives  
 
Note 1:  An effect is a deviation from the expected — positive or negative.  
 
Note 2: Uncertainty is the state, even partial, of deficiency of information related to, understanding or knowledge of, an event, 
its consequence, or likelihood.  
 
3.52 
secondary forest  
forest that has been logged and has recovered naturally or artificially  
 
Note: It also includes degraded forest that has lost its nature (the structure, function, species composition or productivity 
normally associated with a natural forest) through human activities.  
 
3.53 
stakeholder  
person or entity that can affect or be affected by a decision or a ctivity  
 
3.54 
start -up costs of implementation  
up-front investment (i.e. marginal costs to the Recognised Entity)  
 
Note: This is distinct from recurring operational costs.  
 
3.55 
supplier  
person or entity that provides a product or a service  
 
EXAMPLE :  Producer, distributor, retailer or vendor of a product or a service.  
 
Note 1: A provider can be internal or external to the entity.  
 
Note 2 :  In a contractual situation, a supplier is sometimes called a “contractor”.  
 
3.56 
sustainability  
state of a system, including economic, social and environmental aspects, in which the needs of the 
present are met without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs  
 
Note:  In the ARS 1000  series,  “sustainability” is referred to as an obj ective rather than a requirement.  
 
 
3.57 
system  
set of interrelated or interacting elements  
  
 3.58 
temporary hired worker  
agricultural worker employed for a defined period of time to perform agricultural activities during this 
period  
 
3.59 
top management  
leadership of recognised entity. Person or group of people who directs and controls an entity at the 
highest level.  
 
Note 1: Top management has the power to delegate authority and provide resources within the recognised entity.  
 
Note 2: If the scope of the Management System s covers only part of a Recognised Entity, then top management refers to those 
who direct and control that part of the Recognised Entity.  
 
3.60 
traceability  
ability to follow the physical movement of sustainably produced c ocoa through specified stage(s) of 
production, marketing and processing .  
 
3.61 
wage worker  
person who works for a public or private employer and receives remuneration in wages, salary, 
commission, piece -rates or pay in kind  
 
3.62 
worst forms of child labour  
worst forms of child labour that are conditional and have to be defined locally, through the nationally 
defined list of hazardous work  
 
Note: Hazardous work in the context of the worst forms of child labour is work that, by its nature or the circumstances in which it 
is carried out, is likely to harm the health, safety or morals of children. According to ILO Convention 182 the precise natur e of 
those tasks that are prohibited are defined and reviewed by each country.  
 
3.63 
youth  
time of life covering late childhood and early adulthood.  
 
Note: There is no legal definition of the term nor any exact age range to qualify this period of life. The definition of youth vari es 
from country to country.  
 
3.64 
homologated fertilize r 
fertilizer which is authorised for usage by an approved authority . 
3.65 
regulator/legal entity  
organization responsible for the development and maintenance of a specific Certification Scheme and 
the approval  of Certification Bodies to implement the Certification Scheme.  
  
3.66 
farmer group  
an association consisting of legally registered cocoa  farmers/ producers  
 
3.67 
cooperatives  
An independent grouping of persons who have come together voluntarily to meet their common 
economic, social and cultural wants and needs, through a jointly owned and managed entity in which 
power is vested democratically and according to cooperative principles.  The cooperative society may, 
in addition to its co -operators who ar e its main users, deal with non -cooperating users within the limits DARS 1000 -1:2020  
© ARSO 2020 — All rights reserved   set by the articles of association. The cooperative society shall be set up and run in accordance with 
universally recognized cooperative principles, namely : 
 
- voluntary and open membersh ip; 
- the democratic power vested in the co -operators;  
- the economic participation of the co -operators;  
- autonomy and independence;  
- education, training and information;  
- co-operation between organisations with a co -operative nature;  
-  voluntary commi tment to the community;  
 
Any discrimination based on sex or ethnic, religious or political affiliation is prohibited.  
 
Note : Within the meaning of the OHADA Uniform Act of December 15th, 2010  relating to the rights of Cooperative Societies 
(Articles 4,5, 6) [22].  
 
3.68 
farmer as an entity  
a farmer with enough resources to stand on their own to meet the standard requirements.  
 
3.69 
Household  
A group of related or unrelated persons who recognize the authority of an individual called the head of 
household living together in the same dwelling, in the same compound, and whose resources are 
pooled in whole or in part to meet living expenses and who usually eat meals together.  
 
3.70 
Agroforestry  
The well thought -out inclusion, in space and time, of trees in agricultural and/or livestock farming  
systems , which only grows with a degree of intensification of the agro -pastoral system and which is 
linked to the appearance of a finite area where intensi ve practices no longer allow for production 
sufficient to meet the needs of the population .  
 
3.71 
objective evidence  
data supporting the existence or verity of something  
 
Note 1  : Objective evidence can be obtained through observation, measurement, test or by other means.  
 
Note 2  :  Objective evidence for the purpose of the audit criteria  generally consi st  of records, statements of fact or other 
information  which are relevant t o the audit criteria and which are verifiable .  
 
3.72 
Nonconformity  
non-fulfilment of a requirement  
 
 
4 General requirements  
 
4.1 Understanding the Farmer  /Farmer Group/ Cooperative as Entities  and its  
            context  
 
The Farmer  /Farmer Group/ Cooperative as E ntities shall:  
 
a) Determine issues that are relevant to their existence and affect their ability to achieve the 
intended result of sustainable cocoa production;  
 
b) Identify any threat to their capacity to improve their livelihoods and resi lience.  
 
4.2 Registration of the F armer as  an Entity and farmers in Farmer 
Group /Cooperative   
  
 4.2.1  Specific communication to Farmer as an Entity (sensitization process)  
 
Prior to the registration, the Regulator/ Legal Entity shall inform the Farmer as an Entity of: 
a) the objectives and scope of this Standard ; 
 
b) the cocoa sustainability activities for fulfilling the requirements specified in this Standard  
including:  
1) the services to be provided when registered;  
2) the requirements to be fulfilled after registration:  
- the CFDP process (Annex A);  
 
- the economic, social and environmental requirements specified in this document.  
 
3) the audit process (internal and external audit)  
 
c) generic estimates of the costs of implementation to produce sustainable cocoa and benefits to 
be realized as a result of fulfilling the requirements specified in this document;  
 
d) the information expected to be kept in trust by the Regulator /Legal Entity , including the 
process of accessin g it with a copy given to the Farmer as an Entity in confidence:  
1) all information collected during the registration process and cocoa farm diagnostic 
processes;  
2) how confidential information is treated;  
3) the potential risks of sharing personal inform ation;  
4) the right to access information;  
5) the use of data by any interested parties.  
 
Note  1:  Any legal entity or private individual intending to gather information on Farmers / Farmer groups / Cooperatives 
covered by this Standard comply with the ap plicable legislation on data collection, processing and protection. This data may be 
submitted to the Regulator.  /Legal Entity.  
 
e)   The financial  agreements of the Recognized Entity with the buyers or other interested 
parties, if applicable.  
 
Note 2 : Financial agreements include farmer premiums and the costs of implementation, including cost recovery mechanisms.  
 
 
After registration, the farmer as  an entity  will in turn sensitize all hired workers of requirements of this 
Standard.  
 
Evidence of this awareness effort shall be maintained in the form of documented information.  
 
4.2.2  Specific communication to farmers considering registration  
 
Prior to the registration of farmers to become part of the Farmer Group/Cooperative, the Recognised 
Entity shall inform farmers of:  
 
a) the objectives and scope of this document;  
 
b) the cocoa sustainability activities of both parties for fulfilling the requirements specified in this 
document including:  
1) the services to be provided by the Recognised Entity to the farmer when registered;  
 
2) the requirements to be fulfilled by the farmer after registration:  
- the CFDP process (Annex A);  
- the economic, social and environmental requirements specified in this document.  
 
3) the audit process (internal and external audit).  
 
c) generic estimates of the costs of implementation to produce sustainable cocoa and benefits to 
be realized by the regist ered farmer as a result of fulfilling the requirements specified in this 
Standard;  DARS 1000 -1:2020  
© ARSO 2020 — All rights reserved    
d) the information expected to be kept in trust by the Regulator /Legal Entity  including the 
process of accessing it with a copy given to the Farmer Group/Cooperative in con fidence:  
 
1) all information collected during the registration process and cocoa farm diagnostic 
processes;  
2) how confidential information about farmers and their activities is treated;  
3) the potential risks of sharing personal information;  
4) the right of farmers to access their information;  
5) the use of their data by other interested parties  
 
Note 1: Any  legal entity or private individual who intends to collect information on producers/groups of producers/cooperatives 
falling within the scope of this Standard comply with the applicable legislation on data collection, processing and protection. 
This data may be submitted to the Regulator /Legal Entity.  
 
e) The financial agreements of the Recognised Entity with the buyers or other interested parties, 
if applicable.  
 
Note 2 :  Financial agreements include farmer premiums and the costs of implementation, including cost recovery 
mechanisms.  
 
4.2.3  Registration of farmer and Recognized Entity  
 
4.2.3.1  Process  
 
The Farmer Group/ Cooperative shall register the farmers to become part of the Recognised Entity. 
The Regulator/ l Legal Entity shall register the Farmer Group/Cooperative or the Farmer as recognised 
entities. The Recognised Entity shall document:  
 
a) that the registered farmer has been made aware of information specified at the time of 
registration;  
 
b) that the registered farmer has been made aware of the conditions for leaving the recognised 
entity;  
 
c) the date of registration of each individual farmer;  
 
d) that a contract has been signed between the Recognised Entity and the registered farmer;  
 
e) that the Farmer as an Entity and the farmer shall establish CFDP with the help of an 
agronomist and/o r of the Farmer Group/Cooperative.  
 
If needed, the  Farmer Group/Cooperative shall ensure that the registered farmer is assisted by a 
witness who is competent in reading and writing.  
 
The Recognized Entities shall:  
 
a) have ownership of the Management Systems they use;  
 
b) be owner of the Management Systems’ dat a; 
 
c) access the Management Systems and the data within  them, regardless  of commercial 
relationships with any parties, e.g traders;  
The Management Systems cannot be used to tie Recognized Entities to one commercial partner.  
The data and reports resulting from these Systems can be shared by the Recognized Entity with any 
actor including other commercial partners.  
 
4.2.3.2  Information  
  
 The following information shall be obtained and maintained annually for each registered farmer by the 
Farmer Group/Cooperative and the Farmer as an Entity with copy kept with the Regulator/ Legal 
Entity:  
 
a) Name;  
 
b) Identification document (ID), if available;  
 
c) Date of birth or estimated date of birth, if not known;  
 
d) Gender;  
 
e)        Household composition, including names, date of birth and education status;  
 
f)        Number, gender and age of salaried agricultural  workers;  
 
g) children in the hous ehold, including gender, date of birth, full names of parents, details of 
school attendance,  (school’s name, location, class, reason for nonattendance , if applicable),  
kinship with the registered farmer;  
 
h) Size of the cocoa farm (using the most effective  form of measurement available to the 
recognized entity) and the percentage of its land that is planted with cocoa trees;  
 
i) Number and location of cocoa fields;  
 
j) Previous crop year’s production;  
 
k) Legal ownership rights over the land, if applicable.  
 
l) date of creation of cocoa farm  and declaration of establishment of new cocoa farms  
 
m) other crops being grown in the cocoa farm  
 
n) other information which is necessary  
 
Note 1: The Regulator/ Legal Entity  store the data for a minimum of ten years (10)  
 
Note 2: The Regulator/ Legal Entity, before sharing farmers’ personal data, first ask for authorization from the Farmer as an 
Entity /Farmer Group /Cooperative .. 
 
Documentation shall include the registered farmer’s signature. Where a signature is not possible, a 
thumbprint should be accepted . 
 
5 Leadership  
 
5.1 Leadership and commitment  
 
Top management of the Farmer as an entity /Farmer Group/Cooperative shall demonstrate leadership 
and commitment with respect to this document by:  
 
a) ensuring that there are clear roles and responsibilities to promote internal planning and   
implementation of this document;  
 
b) taking accountability for the effective management of their system;  
 
c) ensuring that the management policy and objectives are established to direct the recognised 
entities;  
 
d) ensuring that the resources needed for the Management System are available;  DARS 1000 -1:2020  
© ARSO 2020 — All rights reserved    
e) promoting improvement;  
 
f) ensuring that applicable statutory and regulatory require ments are determined, understood 
and consistently met.  
 
Note: The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative should be developed into a Recognised Entity. License Buying 
Company ( LBC/ /buyer is excluded from operating as Recognised Entity. Foreign organization/person is excluded from 
operating as Recognised Entity in the cocoa sector.  
 
5.2 Policy  
 
5.2.1  Management policy  
 
Top management shall establish, implement and maintain a management policy that meet the 
recognised entity’s responsibility to respect and protect human rights and the environment.  
 
5.2.2  Policy’s communication  
 
The management policy shall be:  
 
a) available as documented information;  
 
b) communicated, understood  and applied within the recognised entity;  
 
c) available to interested parties  (actors) , as appropriate.  
 
5.3 Organizational roles, responsibilities and authorities  
 
5.3.1  Top management shall ensure that the responsibilities and authorities for relevant roles are 
assigned communicated within and understood throughout the recognised entity.  
 
5.3.2  Top management shall ensure that assignment of leadership positions within the recognised 
entity and roles within the Management System s shall be non -discriminatory including, but not limited 
to, discrimination on the basis of race, gender, personal relationships, disability, health, marital status, 
age, HIV/AIDS status, religion, political opinion, language, property, ethnicity, or social origin.  
 
5.3.3  The selection process for management, other paid positions and any leadership posts within 
the Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall be open to and encourage women and youth 
participation.  
 
5.3.4  Top management shall assign the responsibility and authority to an individual(s) for:  
 
a) ensuring that the Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative Management System s 
conforms to the requirements of this Standard ; 
 
b) ensuring the education, training and coaching of hired workers/re gistered farmers, to meet the 
requirements specified in this document, including commitments specified in individual cocoa 
farm development plan (CFDPs);  
 
c) reporting on the performance of the Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative 
Management System s and on opportunities for improvements to top management;  
 
d) managing the risks of child labour and forced labour where it exists and contributing to its 
elimination;  
 
e) ensuring hired workers/registered farmers are adequately assisted to fulfil the req uirements 
specified in this document.  
 
f)  managing sustainability risks, ensuring that clear and relevant objectives are articulated in the 
PDC a nd monitoring the attainment of these objectives.   
  
Dependent on the size, complexity and geographical disparity of the Farmer as an Entity/Farmer 
Group/Cooperative, multiple roles may be managed by the same individual and roles may also be 
duplicated across multiple persons.  
 
5.3.5  An organogram, illustrating the farmer as an entity /Farmer Group/Cooperative’s management 
structure, shall be made available throughout the organization.  
 
Note: The Regulator /Legal Entity  monitor s compliance through the relevant certification bodies.  
 
6 Planning for Farmer as an Entity /Farmer Group /Cooperative 
Management System s 
 
6.1 Risk and opportunities  
 
When planning for the Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative Management System s, the 
Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall determine risks to the System s and put in 
measures to address the risks. They shall also look out for opportunities for improvement and 
implement them.  
 
6.2 Management objectives  
 
The management objectives shall be consistent with the management policy  and shall be 
communicated to all levels.  
 
7 Support for Farmer as an Entity /Farmer Group / Cooperative 
Management System s 
 
7.1 Resources  
 
7.1.1  General  
 
The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall determine and provide the resources (e.g. 
financial and human resources, infrastructure and inputs) needed for the establishment, 
implementation, maintenance and continual improvement of the Farmer as an Entity/Farmer 
Group/ Cooperative Management System s in a clear and transparent way.  
 
Note 1 : Financing can be negotiated for the start -up costs of implementation.  
 
Note 2 : Every support/financing to the farmer/Farmer Group/Cooperative with repayment plan is notified to the 
Regulator/ Legal Entity and the farmer as an entity, farmer group and entity.  
 
Note 3 :  The Entities that can finance start -up costs of the implementation of the Standard are among others , e.g. buyers, 
financial institutions, regulatory bodies.  
 
7.1.2  Cost identification and recovery mechanisms  
 
The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall provide a clear costs identification table for 
the start -up cost of implementation and recurring cost to achieve and maintain conformance to this 
document a t organizational level as well as at the level of the individual registered farmer. The Farmer 
as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative should use guidance for estimating the start -up and recurring 
costs; a documentation scheme is given in Annex B .  
 
The star t-up cost of implementation shall be recovered over a period of time through a percentage of 
the premium obtained from the sale of sustainably produced cocoa beans. The recovery mechanisms 
should be transparent, fair and provide the F armer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative and 
registered farmers with a repayment plan assuring them a decent percentage of the premium.  
 
Note 1: Financing can be negotiated for the start -up costs of implementation.  
 
Note 2 : Every support/financing to the Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative and registered farmers with repayment 
plan is  approved by the Regulator/ Legal Entity. DARS 1000 -1:2020  
© ARSO 2020 — All rights reserved    
Note  3 : Both the start-up and the recurring cost s of implementation of the Standards should be reimbursed from the premium 
depending on the financial capacity of the farmer through Farmer Group /Cooperative.  
 
 
7.2 Competence  
 
The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall:  
 
a) determine the necessary competence of person(s) doing work under its control that affects its 
performance and the effectiveness of the Management System s; 
 
b)  ensure that the person(s) authorized to conduct the cocoa farm diagnostic and establish the 
Cocoa Farm Development Plan with the register ed farmer has the requisite educational 
background and is competent in sustainable farming practices;  
 
c) retain appropriate documented information as evidence of competence.  
 
 
7.3 Sensitization  
 
The Farmer as Entity/Farmer Group/C ooperative shall ensure that the relevant persons carrying out 
work under it ’s control are sensitized on  : 
 
a) the cocoa sustainability policy;  
 
b) the relevant sustainability goals  ; 
 
c) the importance of their contribution to the efficiency of the management system, including the 
beneficial effects of an improvement in cocoa sustainability  performance  ; 
 
d) the repercussions of non -compliance with the requirements of the management system;  
 
e)  any relevant information specified as a knowledge requirement in the Standard . 
 
 
7.4 Communication  
 
The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/ Cooperative  shall at least communicate throughout all levels 
of the organization, the annual work plan.  
 
The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/ Cooperative  shall put in place mechanisms for obtaining 
feedback, including complaints and grievances  from the registered farmers or hired/temporary 
agricultural workers if applicable.  
 
7.5 Documented information  
 
7.5.1 General  
 
The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/ Cooperative Management System s shall include:  
 
a) documented information  necessary for the effectiveness of producing sustainable cocoa as 
per this document;  
 
b) documented information of the first date of conformity with the requirements specified in this 
document.   
  
The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/ Coooperative  shall ensure proper documentation and 
dissemination of information all issues relating to sustainable cocoa farming.  
 
 
7.5.2 Control of documented information  
 
Documented information required by this document shall be controlled to ensure:  
 
a) it is avail able, complete and suitable for use, where and when it is needed;  
 
b) it is adequately protected (e.g. from loss of confidentiality, improper use, or loss of integrity);  
 
c) appropriate distribution, access, retrieval and use;  
 
d) appropriate storage and preservation;  
 
e) control of changes (e.g. version control);  
 
f) appropriate retention and disposition.  
 
Documented information of external origin determined by the Farmer as an Entity/Farmer 
Group/ Cooperative  to be necessary for the planning and operation of the Farmer Group Management 
System s, including information on matters relating to cocoa production, shall be identified, as 
appropriate, and its internal usage controlled.  
 
Note 1 : Access can imply a deci sion regarding the permission to view the documented information only.  
 
Note  2 : Training and mentoring are offered to farmers/ Farmer Group/Cooperative  on all documented information.  
 
8 Operational activities  
 
8.1 Annual work plan for the Farmer as an Entity /Farmer Group/ Cooperative  
 
The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative  shall develop an annual work plan that explains 
how the processes shall be implemented in order to meet the management objectives and th e Cocoa 
Farm Development Plan (C FDPs ). The annual work plan shall:  
 
a) be generated once a year and monitored;  
 
b) be aligned with the management policy;  
 
c) be aligned with the management objectives;  
 
d) consider the requirements of this document.  
 
Note 1: In developing a work plan, the workload on the Farmer as an Entity/ Farmer G roups / Cooperative is first be 
considered.  
 
Note 2: The developed work plan is practical and conforms to the common practices of the F armer as an Entity/ Farmer 
Groups /Cooperatives.  
 
Note 3: Training and mentoring are provided for the Farmer as an Entity/  Farmer Group/Cooperative on the work plan.  
 
 
8.2 Cocoa Farm Development Plan  (CFDP)  
 
The Cocoa Farm Development Plan (CFDP)  shall be established to support registered farmers and 
the F armer as an Entity to make informed and responsible choices on the mana gement of their farms.  DARS 1000 -1:2020  
© ARSO 2020 — All rights reserved    
The Farmer Group/Cooperative  shall establish, in cooperation and consultation with the registered 
farmer, CFDP(s) related to the cocoa fields that are within the scope of the system and each CFDP 
shall be documented.  
 
Annex A provides an overview of the process for establishing the CFDP.  
 
The CFDPs shall fulfill the requirements specified in Annex D . Additional guidance is given in Annex 
E. 
 
The CFDPs shall include:  
 
a) a cost and investment assessment of fulfilling the CFDP;  
 
b) an assessment of financial opportunities and risks for the Farmer as an Entity and registered 
farmer, including any financial agreements established between the registered farmer and the 
Farmer Group/Cooperative.  
 
8.2.1  Cocoa Farm Development Plan (CFDP ) Diagnosis  
 
8.2.1.1  Farmer Group/Cooperative  
 
Registered farmers shall participate in the cocoa farm diagnosis within the first 12 months of 
registration and before the initial certification audit and agree to the observat ions being made. The 
cocoa farm diagnosis shall fulfil the requirements specified in Annex C . The Farmer 
Group/Cooperative and the registered farmers use the findings documented in the cocoa farm 
diagnosis to build the cocoa farm development plan (CFDP). T his plan is specifically tailored to each 
farm and allows the registered farmer and the Farmer Group/Cooperative to measure progress 
against previously identified targets for improvement.  
 
The registered farmer shall be informed of the various options for managing the cocoa farm to the 
desired business level. The options shall at least address opportunities for rehabilitation or renovation 
of the farm as appropriate. The registered  farmer sh all decide on the activities and investments to be 
included and documented in the CFDP (see Annex B and C).  
 
8.2.1.2  Farmer as an Entity  
 
The Farmer as an Entity shall participate in the cocoa farm diagnosis with an Agronomist within the 
first 12 months of registration and before the initial certification audit and agree to the observations 
being made. The cocoa farm diagnosis shall fulfil the requirements specified in Annex C . The Farmer 
as an Entity with the Agronomist uses the findings documented in the cocoa farm diagnosis to build 
his cocoa farm development plan (CFDP). This plan is specifically tailored to each farm and allows 
the Farmer as an Entity to measure pro gress against previously identified targets for improvement.  
 
The Agronomist shall inform the Farmer as an Entity of the various options for managing the cocoa 
farm to the desired business level. The options shall at least address opportunities for rehabi litation or 
renovation of the farm as appropriate. The Farmer as an Entity shall decide on the activities and 
investments to be included and documented in the CFDP (see Annex B and C ). 
 
8.2.2  Implementing CFDP  
 
The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperat ive shall provide the registered farmers or hired 
workers where applicable with coaching that enables them to implement the CFDPs. Coaching shall 
as a minimum include one on -farm coaching session per year.  
 
8.2.3  Assessing the CFDP  
  
 The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative and each registered farmer or hired workers 
where applicable shall assess the cocoa farm development performance against their CFDP. The 
cocoa observation points applied for the farm diagnosis shall be included in the assessment. Based 
on the assessment, the Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative and the registered farmer 
shall determine, agree on and document improvements and any actions needed to fulfill the CFDP 
and/or modify its content.  
 
Note 1: The Re gulator/ Legal entity put in mechanisms to assist the Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative to 
achieve their objectives.  
 
Note 2 :  Evaluation is performed by the Farmer Group/Cooperative to assess the performance of the farmers.  
 
Note 3: Evaluation is also  performed by the Regulator /Legal Entity  to assess the performance of the Farmer as an Entity.  
 
 
9 Performance evaluation  
 
9.1 Monitoring and measurement  
 
The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer  Group/Cooperative shall determine:  
 
a) what needs to be monitored and measured for individual registered farmers, including:  
 
1) actual production against estimated production;  
 
2) implementation of good agricultural practices, which they have been trained in.  
 
b) the methods for monitoring and measurement;  
 
c) who shall perform the monitoring and measurement;  
 
d) when the monitoring and measuring shall be performed;  
 
e) when the results from monitoring and measurement shall be analyzed  and evaluated.  
 
The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall monitor and measure the progress in 
implementing the annual plan.  
 
Top management shall review the Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative’s annual plan 
Management System s, at least once in twelve (12) months, to ensure its continuing suitability, 
adequacy, and effectiveness.  
 
The Farmer Group/Cooperative shall monitor and measure the progress in implementing the CFD P of 
the farmers. The Farmer as an Entity shall also monitor the progress in implementing his CFDP’s in 
all his fields.  
 
The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall retain appropriate documented information 
as evidence of the results and put in the necessary corrective measure s to address any non -
conformance.  
 
9.2 Internal audit  
 
The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall conduct internal audits at least once in 
twelve (12) months to show the effectiveness of the Management System,  the continuous DARS 1000 -1:2020  
© ARSO 2020 — All rights reserved   improvement of the implementation of the requirements in relation with the annual plan including the 
CFDP.   
 
The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall:  
 
a) establish and implement in ternal audit plan(s) and program (s), including the frequency, 
methods, responsibilities, planning requirements and reporting, which shall take into 
consideration the management objectives, the importance of the processes concerned, 
changes impacting the Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative, and the results of 
previous audits;  
 
b) ensure that the results of the internal audits are reported to top management;  
 
c) take appropriate corrective actions within a reasonable timeframe;  
 
d) retain documented information as evidence o f the implementation of the internal audit;  
 
e) identify opportunities for improvement  
 
9.3 Management review  
 
9.3.1  General  
 
Top management shall review the Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative’s annual plan 
Management System, at least once in tw elve (12) months, to ensure its continuing suitability, 
adequacy, and effectiveness.  
 
The management review shall be planned and carried out taking into consideration:  
 
a) the status of actions from previous management reviews;  
 
b) changes in external and internal issues that are relevant to the Farmer as an Entity/Farmer 
Group/Cooperative’s Management System s; 
 
c) information on the performance and effectiveness of the Management System, including:  
 
1) the extent to which management objectives have been met;  
 
2) the extent to which the CFDPs have been implemented;  
 
3) nonconformities and corrective actions;  
 
4) monitoring and measurement results;  
 
5) audit results;  
 
6) feedback from customers and other relevant interested p arties, if any;  
 
d) adequacy of resources;  
 
e) the effectiveness of actions taken to pursue opportunities and manage threats;  
 
f) opportunities for improvement.   
  
9.3.2  Outputs  
 
The outputs of the management review shall include decisions and actions related to:  
 
a) opportunities for improvement;  
 
b) any need for support to hired workers/registered farmers;  
 
c) resource needs.  
 
The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall retain documented information as evidence 
of management reviews.  
 
9.3.3  Feedback to the Farmer as an Entity /Farmer Group/Cooperative  
 
The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall put in place measures that the hired 
workers/registered farmers can use to provide feedback to the recognized entity. These measures 
shall include a complaints and grievance procedure . 
 
10 Improvement for Management System s 
 
The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall determine and select opportunities for 
improvement, generate and specify relevant performance objectives and implement necessary 
actions.  
 
The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall continually improve the suitability, 
adequacy, and effectiveness of its Management System.  
 
11 Requirements related to economic aspects  
 
11.1 General  
 
The requirements for  economic aspects aim to:  
 
a) increase the sustainable production of cocoa beans in a cost -efficient manner;  
 
b) improve farmer income and livelihoods, including improving the productivity of cocoa farming, 
considering the diversification of production and incom e, strengthening resilience in the face 
of climate change, and facilitating access to markets for cocoa farmers;  
 
c) support improved standards of living and social conditions of populations engaged in cocoa 
farming.  
 
Note 1:  The Regulator / Legal Entity establish es a policy on production of sustainable cocoa  
 
Note 2:  The Regulator/ Legal Entity as well as the F armer as an Entity/Farmer Groups/Cooperative are invited to l ook for the 
market for sustainable cocoa . 
 
From an economic perspective, while there are benefits to increasing yields and better managing 
cocoa quality (to decrease losses due to poor farming practices or pests and diseases), 
improvements entail additional efforts and investments for the F armer as an Entity/Farmer 
Group/Cooperative and the registered farmer.  
 DARS 1000 -1:2020  
© ARSO 2020 — All rights reserved   Training, coaching and other support activities provided by Farmer Group/Cooperative can be 
perceived as a benefit for farmers, but it is necessary to establish whether this support results in 
improved performance, i.e. improved produ ctivity/quality or time -management at farm level.  
 
The Farmer as a n entity/  farmer Group/Cooperative shall establish key indicators to measure their 
performance over time.  
 
 
 
 
 
11.2 Capacity building on accounting and enabling access to financial credits  
 
a) The Farmer Group/Cooperative should provide registered farmers with business training, 
taking into account the level of competence and education of the registered farmers.  
 
b) The Farmer Group/Cooperative should assist registered farmers in setting -up a basi c system 
for documenting information and expenditures to build their financial history.  
 
c) The Farmer Group/Cooperative should liaise with registered farmers and determine the need 
for financing. The Farmer Group/Cooperative shall document its interaction wi th input 
suppliers and financial institutions to seek financing for registered farmers.  
 
d) The Farmer as an Entity should provide himself and his staff with business training, taking 
into account the level of competence and education of his staff. The Farmer  as an Entity shall 
document his interaction with input suppliers and financial institutions when seeking financing 
for his farms.  
 
e) Sensitization and capacity building has to be done after the first year of setting up  
 
Note:  The requirement number 11.2 in this Standard is implemented three  (3) years after the first date of conformance.   
 
11.3 Farm agronomic performance and good agricultural practices  
 
11.3.1  New farm establishment  
 
a) The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer  Group/Cooperative shall ensure that hired 
workers/registered farmers are provided with information on applicable requirements on rural 
and agricultural development plans.  
 
b) The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall advise hired workers/register ed 
farmers on the suitability  of production of cocoa beans on the intended field(s).  
 
11.3.2  Planting material  
 
a) The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall ensure hired workers/registered 
farmers have access to, and receive recommendations for the use of, planting material that 
comes from a verified and competent  source.  
 
b) The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall e nsure the competence of hired 
workers/registered farmers on good agricultural practices related to planting material.  
 
11.3.3 Soil management  
  
 a) The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall ensure that hired workers/ 
registered farmers leave hea lthy organic waste, such as pruning debris, empty pod husks, 
and any other organic material, that are disease -free, at the farm(s).  
 
b) The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative, where needed, should ensure that hired 
workers/registered farmers have access to homologated fertilizer  
 
c) The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall promote practices to avoid soil 
erosion.  
 
d) For proper soil management, the F armer as an Entity/ Farmer Groups / Cooperatives are 
encouraged to do soil analysis prior to application of fertilizer.  
 
11.3.4  Maintenance of cocoa trees  
 
The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall ensure the competence of hired 
workers/registered farmers on the maintenance and rehabilitation of cocoa and shade trees.  
 
11.3.5  Use of agrochemicals  
 
a) The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall ensure that only suitable and proper 
equipment is used for the application of agrochemicals.  
 
b) The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall ensure safe use of spraying 
equipment.  
 
c) The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall, where needed, ensure access to 
agrochemicals authorized for use on sustainable cocoa.  
 
d) The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Coop erative and hired workers/registered farmers 
shall commit to provisions for pest and disease control, using an integrated pest and disease 
management approach.  
 
11.3.6  Harvest  
 
The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall ensure the competence of hired workers/ 
registered farmers on good harvest techniques, including the identification of ripe pods ready for 
harvest, and the identification of diseased, mummified or insect -damaged pods to be discarded.  
 
11.3.7  Post -harvest — Pod-breaki ng 
 
The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall ensure the competence of hired 
workers/registered farmers on good pod -breaking techniques.  
 
11.3.8  Post -harvest — Fermentation  
 
The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall ensure the competence of hired 
workers/registered farmers on appropriate fermentation techniques.  
 
11.3.9  Post -harvest — Drying  
 
a) Where beans are dried at farm or Farmer Group/Cooperative level, the Farmer as an 
Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall ensure that the beans are dried on raised platforms 
and at least  100 meters away from a source of fire, filling station, maize and cereal mills, 
cement and coal tare depots.  
 DARS 1000 -1:2020  
© ARSO 2020 — All rights reserved   b) The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall ensure that sun -drying is conducted 
on dr ying mats such  as raffia  palm, bamboo,  oil palm mat , banana leaves amongst others 
that ensures good hygienic practice .  
 
c) If cocoa beans are dried artificially, the Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall 
ensure that dryers are well maintained  and that contamination from smoke and fuel is 
avoided.  
 
 
 
 
11.3.10  Post -harvest — Packing and storage of cocoa beans  
 
a) The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall ensure the competence of hired 
workers/registered farmers on proper packing and st orage techniques and materials.  
 
b) The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall ensure that appropriate sacks and 
bags are used for packing and storage of cocoa beans (e.g. using materials that are clean, 
strong and non -toxic).  
 
c) Where applicable, t he Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall ensure approved 
sacks and bags are made available to hired workers/ registered farmers.  
 
d) The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall ensure that cocoa beans are 
bagged and stored under appropriate conditions, including pest control measures.  
 
11.3.11  Resilience and diversification of production  
 
a) The Farmer Group/Cooperative shall raise awareness on the use of diversified crops.  
 
b) The Farmer Group/Cooperative shall ensure means of recording the outcome of crop 
diversification programs at the registered farmer level.  
 
c) The Farmer Group/Cooperative shall conduct an inventory of the risks and potential imp acts 
of climate change on the registered farmers’ production of cocoa.  
 
d) The Farmer Group/Cooperative shall raise awareness among registered farmers of the 
potential impact of climate change.  
 
e) The Farmer Group/Cooperative shall provide training and other su pport to assist registered 
farmers adapt to new climatologically conditions where applicable.  
 
f) The Farmer as an Entity shall be aware of the use of diversified crops and implement (b) to 
(d). He shall provide training and other support to assist hired work ers adapt to new 
climatologically conditions where applicable.  
 
Note: Farmers can add additional activity to their cocoa farm to earn extra income . 
 
 
12 Requirements related to social aspects  
 
12.1 Gener al 
 
The requirements for social aspects aim to:  
 
a) respect human rights, avoid infringement of the human rights of others and address adverse 
human rights impacts where necessary;   
  
b) support the eradication of forced labour, child labour and the worst forms of child labour;  
 
c) support improved standards of living, social conditions and working and labour conditions, 
including health and safety of populations engaged in the cocoa sector.  
 
12.2 Human rights policy  
 
a) The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall ensure that a risk inventory is made 
of human rights issues.  
 
b) The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall ensure that hired 
workers/registered farmers are aware of human rights.  
 
c) The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall ensure that no adverse human 
rights impacts  shall be caused or contributed by the Farmer as an entity /Farmer 
Group/Cooperative’s activities. The Farmer as an entity /Farmer Group/Cooperative shall 
ensure that any such impacts that occur will be addressed.  
 
d) The Farmer as an Entity /Farmer Group/Cooperative shall establish, implement and maintain a 
human rights policy  adapted to the context  of the  Farmer as an Entity /Farmer 
Group/Cooperative . The human rights policy should include human rights due diligence 
process to identify, prevent, miti gate and report on how the Recognized Entity addresses its 
human rights impacts and processes to remedy any negative impacts of the the Recognized 
Entity  or its contribution to  them.  
 
Note 1: The requirement number 12 .2d in this Standard is to be implemented six (6) years after the first date of conformance.  
Note 2: A dedicated officer is to be appointed by the Regulator /Legal Entity who is responsible for Human Rights issues.  
 
 
12.3 Prevention of discrimination, harassment and abuse  
 
The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall ensure that the principle of non -
discrimination and the rights of the individual shall be respected and that initiatives are taken to 
contribute to the elimination of discrimination if observed, including,  but not limited to, discrimination 
on the basis of race, colour, gender, personal relationships, disability, health, marital status, age, 
HIV/AIDS status, religion, political opinion, language, property, ethnicity or social origin.  
 
a) The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall ensure that no hired 
worker/registered farmer shall be subjected to corporal punishment, mental or physical 
coercion, or verbal abuse.  
 
b) The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall discuss with its employees, hire d 
workers/registered farmers what constitutes harassment and abuse, and explain that these 
practices are not acceptable. All employees, hired workers/registered farmers shall be 
informed about the laws protecting individuals against discrimination, harassm ent and abuse.  
 
c) The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall draft and implement an action plan 
to eradicate all forms of harassment and abuse, including a gender sensitive grievance 
procedure with equal access for women and men. Within the griev ance procedure there shall 
be no retribution or punishment for reporting an injustice.  
 
d) The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall ensure that meetings take place 
among its employees, hired workers/registered farmers and their spouses at least once a DARS 1000 -1:2020  
© ARSO 2020 — All rights reserved   year to evaluate activities to prevent harassment and abuse. Meetings, participants and main 
results shall be documented and shared.  
 
e) The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall actively promote the social inclusion 
of disadvantaged/minor ity groups within its activities.  
 
12.4 Gender equality and women and youth empowerment  
 
a) The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall ensure that a risk inventory is made 
of gender -related issues.  
 
b)   The Farmer as a n Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall draw up a gender and youth action 
plan based on the results of the gender stocktaking exercise.  
 
b) The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall implement the gender/youth action 
plan.  
 
c) The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall ensure that top management is 
knowledgeable in gender -related issues.  
 
d) Using best practice approaches, the Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall 
ensure hired workers/registered farmers, manage ment and the employees, both women, men  
and youth, are aware of gender -related issues.  
 
e) When training courses are offered, the Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall 
ensure equal access for women , men and youth, including the spouses of hired 
workers/registered farmers.  
 
f) When training courses are offered, the Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall 
ensure that women and youth’s participation is stimulated, including the spouses of hired 
workers/registered farmers.  
 
g) The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall work towards ensuring that women 
and men receive equal opportunities and equal remuneration for equal work.  
 
Note: The Farmer as an Entity /Farmer Group/Cooperative develop s an affirmative action plan that rewards women and youth 
for owning farm land.  
 
12.5 Children's rights  
 
a) The Farmer as an Entity /Farmer Group/Cooperative  shall comply with the Regulator/Legal 
Entity’s policy on the children’s rights and commit to respect ing children’s rights.  
 
b) The Farmer as an E ntity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall ensure that a risk inventory is made 
of children’s rights  issues.  
 
c) The Farm er as an entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall ensure agricultural workers are 
knowledgeable on children’s rights, and shall ensure that children of agricultural workers are 
aware of children’s  rights.  
 
d) The Farmer as an Entity /Farmer Group/Cooperative shal l take necessary action(s) when 
concerns arise regarding abuse, exploitation or harming of children, including activities taking 
place on the farm(s) and within the Farmer Group /Cooperative.   
  
e) The Farmer as an entity /Farmer Group/Cooperative shall ensure th e protection and safety of 
children in its business activities, including activities taking place on the farm(s) and within the 
Farmer Group/ Cooperative.  
 
f) The Farmer as an entity /Farmer Group/Cooperative shall, within its powers, actively promote 
education and school attendance for all children and vocational training for children of a legal 
working age.  
 
g) The Farmer as an entity /Farmer Group/Cooperative shall ensure hired workers/registered 
farmers and employees are knowledgeable on children’s righ ts. 
 
h) The Farmer as an entity /Farmer Group/Cooperative shall, within its powers, encourage 
vocational training, apprenticeship and employment (excluding hazardous tasks) in agriculture 
for youth above the legal working age, particularly in sustainable cocoa  production.  
 
12.6 Child labour and worst forms of child labour  
 
a) The Farmer as an E ntity/Farmer Group/Cooperative should  comply with the regulator’s policy on 
child labour including a clear commitment against child labour. It should  communicate this policy 
within the organization and among agricultural workers and make it publicly available.  
 
b) The Farmer as an entity/ Farmer Group/Cooperative shall publicly display a list of applicable 
hazardous activities and disseminate information about the prohibition of hazardous work for 
children within the Farmer Group/Cooperative and among hired workers/registered farmers and 
their chi ldren.  
 
c) The Farmer as a Farmers' Entity / Group/Cooperative must immediately report suspected cases 
of unconditional worst forms of child labour (i.e. child trafficking, bonded labour and forced labour) 
to the responsible authorities.  
 
d) The Farmer as an entity/ Farmer Group/Cooperative shall undertake a risk inventory to identify , 
the possible risks related to child labour on farms and among the Farmer Group/Cooperative and 
in the communities where its hired workers/registered farmers live.  
 
e) Based on the r isk inventory, the Farmer as an entity /Farmer Group/Cooperative shall undertake 
actions to prevent, identify monitor and remediate child labour and the worst forms of child labour 
related to the activities on the farms and among the Farmer Group/Cooperativ e, its registered 
farmers and its hired workers.  
 
Note: “Child/light work ”, “child labour ”, and  “the worst forms of child labour ” are different terms.  
 
12.7 Employment and contractual relations  
 
a) The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall ensure that each registered farmer 
keeps records of all workers on his/her farm.  
 
b) The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall establish  and implement a policy on 
forced labour and shall ensure that no one is engaged to work under compulsion.  
 
c) The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall ensure that no identity document(s) 
is withheld from hired workers/registered farmers or from  employees.  
 DARS 1000 -1:2020  
© ARSO 2020 — All rights reserved   d) The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall ensure that, in the case of wage 
workers, wages shall be paid on a regular basis. The frequency and level of wage pay ments 
shall be clearly communicated at the beginning of employment.  
 
e) The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall ensure that regular hired workers 
are provided with written contracts  or oral contracts with a witness specifying  labour 
conditions and payment arrangements, in a language and format they can understand, within 
the Farmer Group/Cooperative.  
 
f) The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall ensure that temporary hired 
workers shall receive the working conditions and workers’ rights equivalent of regular hired 
workers, and their contrac tual agreements shall be respected, within the Farmer 
Group/Cooperative.  
 
12.8 Occupational health and safety  
 
a) The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall ensure that an inventory is made of 
occupational health and safety risks within the Farmer  Group/Cooperative and at farm level.  
 
b) The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall ensure that an action plan is made 
to address the issues identified in the inventory on occupational health and safety.  
 
c) The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall implement the action plan on 
occupational health and safety.  
 
d) The Farmer as an Entity/ Farmer Group/Cooperative shall ensure that necessary protective 
equipment is provided free of charge, without deduction of wages and  used by all hired 
workers/registered farmers operating in hazardous conditions.  
 
e) The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall ensure the health and safety 
competence of hired workers/registered farmers operating in hazardous conditions.  
 
f) The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall ensure that all hired 
workers/registered farmers are informed about and protected against occupational health and 
safety risks in their agricultural work. This information shall be provided clearly and vis ibly 
within the working environment of the Recognized Entity , in language(s) they understand and 
with pictograms.  
 
Note:  The requirement number 12.8 in this Standard is to be implemented  within the first six (6) years after the first date of 
conformance to this Standard .  
 
12.9 Social security systems  
 
a) Where applicable, the benefits of available social security / welfare schemes shall be provided 
to the employees of the Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative.  
 
b) The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall ensure that all regular hired workers 
have access to the benefits of a provident fund or pension scheme, if available.  
 
Note: The requirement number 12.9  in this Standa rd is to be implemented  within the first six (6) years after the first date of 
conformance to this Standard .  
 
 
12.10  Freedom of association and collective bargaining policy  
  
 a) The workers of the Farmer as an Entity/ Farmer Group/Cooperative may freely join and 
establish workers' organisations, both internal (such as workers' representations) and external 
(such as labour unions), as well as participate in collective bargaining agreements on working 
conditions.  
 
b) If national law prohibits trade unions, wor kers may at least elect their representatives to 
discuss working conditions with the farmer as an Entity/ farmer Group/Cooperative.  
 
c) The workers of the Farmer as an Entity/ Farmer Group/Cooperative shall not suffer retaliation, 
discrimination or other adv erse consequences if its members establish or join an organization 
or engage in collective bargaining.  
 
d) The Farmer as an Entity/ Farmer Group  /Cooperative informs the workers, either through 
individual letters or through wide distribution, of:  
 
⎯ their right  to establish and join a workers' organization,   
 
⎯ their right to participate in collective bargaining, and  
 
⎯ A guarantee that he or she will not suffer retaliation, discrimination or other adverse 
consequences if he or she were to use any of these rights.  
 
13 Requirements related to environmental aspects  
 
13.1 General  
 
From an environmental perspective, the aim is to minimize negative impact and optimize positive 
impact on the environment.  
The requirements for environmental aspects aim to:  
 
a) support water conservation, the avoidance of water waste, and the avoidance of the 
contamination of surface and underground water;  
 
b) support the responsible use of agrochemicals and good waste management;  
 
c) preserve plant and animal habitats, protect wildlif e and maintain a varied ecosystem;  
 
d) prevent deforestation and combat climate change.  
 
13.2 Protection of water bodies  
 
a) The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall ensure that a distance of at least 10 
meters from cultivated cocoa trees to water bodies is maintained. Existing cocoa trees in this 
zone may be retained, but agrochemicals shall not be applied within this zone.  
 
b) The Farmer  as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall ensure that hired 
workers/registered workers are knowledgeable about water protection requirements, taking 
into account the local context.  
 
c) The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall ensure that no untreated sewage or 
untreated wastewater is discharged into fresh water bodies.  
 
Note: National legislation can apply when establishing new farms and/or in relation to the distances from cultivated cocoa trees 
to water bodies and vegetation belts.  
 
13.3 Requirements for administration and safe storage of agrochemicals  DARS 1000 -1:2020  
© ARSO 2020 — All rights reserved    
The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall ensure that warning signs are placed during 
and after the application of agrochemicals that indicate the time of application, the time b efore re -
entering and the recommended days until harvest.  
 
a) The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall ensure the competence of the 
person or people handling and storing agrochemicals.  
 
b) The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall ensure that only authorized 
agrochemicals are applied. The application shall be performed safely, and by reference to the 
product usage information provided by the supplier and the user manual for the delivery 
mechanism (e.g. spraye r). . 
 
c) The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall ensure that instructions for the use 
of agrochemicals are strictly followed by calibrating and using suitable equipment for applying 
the prescribed dosage, timing and intervals of application of  agrochemicals as specified on 
the labelling  of the product and its instructions for use.  
 
d) The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall ensure that documented 
information on agrochemical application (e.g. farmer booklet) is retained.  
 
e) The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall ensure that no expired 
agrochemicals are used.  
 
f) The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall ensure that children, pregnant 
women, breastfeeding women and people with respiratory illnesses do not  handle 
agrochemicals.  
 
g) The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall ensure that handling and storage 
(keeping) of chemicals are separated from living areas  to maintain the integrity and safety of 
persons.  
 
h) The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Co operative shall ensure that agrochemical 
containers are properly closed during storage and transportation to prevent spillage.  
 
i) The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall ensure that dedicated storage 
facilities for agrochemicals are establish ed with ventilation, light and a system for collecting 
spillages.  
 
j) The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall ensure that agrochemical 
containers are kept away from non -authorized persons, animals and items to be consumed.  
 
k) The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall ensure that empty agrochemical 
containers are triple rinsed and perforated, and that storage, handling and disposal are 
carried out in an appropriate way.  
 
Note: National regulations can be applicable in the definition of “appropriate” regarding the storage, handling and disposal of 
agrochemical containers.  
 
13.4 Ecosystem protection  
 
a) The Farmer as an Entity/F armer Group/Cooperative shall support efforts to combat climate 
change and its effects by promoting agroforestry through the planting of forest tree species, 
fruit trees and shrubs on the farm(s), by use of diverse and native tree species, if applicable in 
the national  context.  
 
b) The Farmer as Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall ensure there shall be no farming in 
protected areas, such as national parks, wildlife refuges, forestry reserves and other public or 
private conservation areas, unless the national  context  allows it.  
  
c) The Farmer as a n Entity/Farmer Group/ Cooperative shall ensure that no deforestation or 
degradation of primary forests has occurred as at the date of first release of this African 
Standard.  
 
d) The Farmer as an Entity /Farmer Group/Cooperative shall ensure no deforestation or 
degradation of secondary forest occurs, unless a legal land title, landowner permission and/or 
customary land rights (whichever are applicable) are available, and government permits are  
available.  
 
e) The Farmer as an E ntity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall ensure that no large native trees 
that existed prior to the establishment of the farm are felled or burned in existing farms or 
when establishing new  farms.  
 
Note 1: The Farmer as Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperat ive should ensure that no large native trees, that existed prior to the 
establishment of  the farm, are removed in existing farms or when establishing new farms., except when these pose hazards to 
people, infrastructure or to the health of the cocoa farm by  hosting specific diseases, and where the removal of these specific 
trees is allowed/recommended by national authorities.  
 
f) The Farmer as an E ntity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall ensure that no land is cleared by 
burning the vegetation. The Farmer Group/Coo perative may use light machines and/or simple 
tools, such as machetes (cutlasses), hoes, axes, to clear  land.  
 
 
g) The Farmer as an entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall, in accordance with forestry 
authorities, ensure mapping (or drawing) of existing large native trees with the aim to provide 
clarity over ownership of the trees, if  applicable.  
 
h) The Farmer as an entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall reduce water and wind erosion b y 
taking adequate measures, including ensuring that a vegetation or mulch cover is kept on the 
cocoa farmlands in order to avoid bare soil.  
 
i) The Farmer as an entity /Farmer Group/Cooperative shall ensure that no adverse ecological 
practices are carried out, such as the draining of water bodies or hunting of threatened or 
endangered  animals.  
 
j) The Farmer as an entity /Farmer as an entity /Farmer Group/Cooperative shall establish an 
inventory of existing plant and wildlife species on the  farm(s).  
 
Note 2 :  National legislation can apply regarding ecosystem protection.  
 
 
13.5 Waste management  
 
a) The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall ensure that hired 
workers/registered farmers are competent on waste management practices pertaining to 
cocoa pro duction.  
 
b) The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall ensur e that composting of any 
organic material is carried out in a designated area.  
 
c) The Farmer Group/Cooperative shall ensure that waste is only stored and disposed of in 
designated areas. In the absence of appropriate disposal facilities, non -organic waste ma y 
only be burnt in a well -ventilated area away from people, animals and crops.  DARS 1000 -1:2020  
© ARSO 2020 — All rights reserved    
d) The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall ensure that expired agrochemicals 
are treated as hazardous waste.  
 
e) The Farmer as an Entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative shall ensure that empty agrochemical 
containers are not used for any other purposes . 
 
 
    
 Annex A  
(normative)  
 
Process for establishing the Cocoa Farm Development Plan (CFDP)  
 
 
Table A — Overview of the process for establishing the CFDP  
 
What?  When?  By whom?  How?  Purpose and result?  
Sensitization on the 
African standards 
(see 4.2.1 and 4.2.2 
of this document)  Before farmer’s 
registration.  Farmer group, 
Cooperative, 
Regulator/ Legal 
Entity.  Through workshops 
and any other farm 
group meetings  Ensuring that the individual farmer 
understands the objectives of the 
standards as well as his role and 
responsibilities once he adheres to the 
standards to produce sustainable 
cocoa  
Generic Estimated 
costs of setting up in 
conformance with 
this document.  Before individual 
farmer’s 
registration.  
 The farmer as 
an entity/Farmer 
group/ 
Cooperative, 
Regulator/ legal 
entity in 
collaboration 
with farmers who 
wish to register.  Through an 
interview and 
preferably a vis it to 
the farm.  The Farmer as an Entity/ Farmer 
Group/ Cooperative, Regulator/ Legal 
Entity should provide individual farm -
ers with an indication of the estimated 
level of costs and the estimated 
timeframe for the major areas of 
investment (e.g. replanting , fertilizer) 
for their farms.  
The Farmer as an Entity/ Farmer 
Group, Cooperative, Regulator / Legal 
Entity should collect via interview the 
data points identified in Annex C for 
this purpose, although they may rely 
on only several of these for pro ducing  
these estimates of costs  
Assumption: higher yields will be 
achieved when adhering to this 
document  
Hiring an Agronomist  
in charge of  the 
diagnosis and 
Cocoa Farm 
Development Plan 
(CFDP)  Once the Farmer is 
registered.  Farmer as an 
Entity/Farmer 
Group/ 
Cooperative  Through 
competitive 
engagement 
process  The Agronomist will be in charge of 
training Train er of Trainees (TOT), 
farmers, and coaching the farmers to 
implement and maintain requirements 
of this document.in the farm.  
Training the 
Agronomist on 
diagnosis and 
CFDP.  Once the 
Agronomist has 
been hired.  The Regulator/ 
legal entity.  Through capacity 
building 
development using 
workshops.  To enhance  standardization of training 
and ensure equity in development of 
the Agronomists and the 
implementation of CFDP.  
Making Cocoa farm 
diagnosis/ baseline 
assessment (see 8.2 
and Annex C).   
 Within the  first 12 
months of 
registration of 
farmer and before 
the application to 
the initial audit for 
bronze certification.  The Agronomist 
within the   
recognised entity 
in collab oration 
with registered 
farmers.  On-farm 
observation and 
interview in addition 
to data acquired 
during the farmer 
registration 
process, including 
necessary interven -
tions and costs to 
fulfil the CFDP.  
   To establish  the CFDPs for all 
registered farmers and farmers as 
entities as well as activities planned to 
improve the far ms and to deliver 
sustainable cocoa.  
 
To  deliver the real estimate of costs 
(investments) versus benefits (returns 
in cash ) regarding cocoa farming 
within the framework of this docu ment  
Implementing the 
CFDP (see 8.2 and 
Annex D)  Short -term:  After 
the first initial 
certification audit 
for Bronze 
Certification and 
before the first 
surveillance audit 
(2 years and a The Agronomist 
with registered 
farmers.  Implement the 
requirements in this 
document, and 
Annex D  in ARS 
1000 part 3  
Adjustmen t 
depend ing on 
targets set and The Agronomist and the registered 
farmer shall determine, any actions 
needed to meet and maintain 
targets/requirements and modify, if 
needed, the content of CFDP 
accordingly.  
Before the 1st surveillance audit, the DARS 1000 -1:2020  
© ARSO 2020 — All rights reserved   What?  When?  By whom?  How?  Purpose and result?  
half). completion date.  Farmer Group shall have established 
a min imum of 20 % CFDP for the 
registered farmers.   
Mid-term: After the 
1st   surveillance 
audit and before 
the 2nd surveillance 
audit (7 years  and 
a half .) 
 The Agronomist 
with registered 
farmers.  Implement the 
requirements in this 
document and , 
Annex D  in ARS 
1000 -3 
Adjustment 
depend ing on 
targets set and 
completion date.  The Agronomist and the registered 
farmer shall determine, any actions 
needed to meet and maintain 
targets/requirements and mo dify, if 
needed, the content of CFDP 
accordingly.  
Within seven (7 , 2) years and a half 
after the first claim of conformance to 
this Standard , a CFDP shall be 
established for all farmers. (7 years 
and a half after obtaining the Bronze 
and Silver certifications).  
Assess ing the 
CFDP.  
 a) During  the 
first initial   
certification 
audit : Bronze 
certification 
(12 months 
after the 
registration of 
the farmer)  
b) During the 1st 
surveillance 
audit ( 2 years 
and a half 
after obtaining 
the Bronze 
Certificate  
c) During the 
recertification 
audit: Silver 
certificate, 5 
years after 
obtaining the 
Bronze 
certification.  
d) During the 2nd 
surveillance 
audit (7,5 
years after 
obtaining the 
Bronze 
Certificate)  
e) During the 
recertification 
audit: Gold 
certificate (10 
years after 
obtaining the 
Bronze 
certificate).   
 Auditors hired by 
the Farmer as 
an Entity/Farmer 
Group/ Cooperati
ve. Through the a udit 
process in 
compliance with the 
requirements  of 
ARS 1000  -3. 
 to help farmers improve their farms 
and operate in compliance with all the 
standards (ARS1000 -1,  ARS 1000 -
2, and ARS 1000 -3) to ensure that the 
registered farmers work as business 
professionals by the end of a complete 
audit cycle (1 1 years after farmer 
registration).  
 
 
 
    
 Annex B 
(informative)  
 
Guidance for estimating start -up and recurring costs  
 
Table B.1 — Guideline for estimating start -up and recurring costs  
Action Budget line item  Start -up costs  Recurring operational costs  
 First 
buyer  Recogni zed 
Entity  Farmer  Regulator  First 
buyer  Recogni zed 
Entity  Farmer  
Payment of 
premium  Farmer premiums  X    X   
Salaries of persons 
in charge of 
managing 
sustainable cocoa   internal 
sustainability 
manager /  
Month   X    X  
Farmer trainer  X x      
Agronomist   X    X  
Secretary or 
coordinator   X      
Logistics  Monthly fuel  
Coordinator  
Farmer trainer  
Agronomist   
 
X     X  
Motorcycles  X       
Helmet   X      
Boots   X      
Cutlass   X      
Vehicle       X  
First Aid Kit       X  
GPS -CFDP  X x  x    
Data collection  X x  x    
Office computer  X x  x    
Office printer  X x  x    
Office space  X x  x    
Office furniture  X x  x    
WI-FI connection  X x  x    
Training costs  Training Top 
Management on 
management system      
X    
Training Agronomist 
on Standards      
X    
Training recognized 
entities on 
Standards      
X    
Training farmers on 
Good Agricultural  
Practices (GAP)      
X    DARS 1000 -1:2020  
© ARSO 2020 — All rights reserved   Action Budget line item  Start -up costs  Recurring operational costs  
 First 
buyer  Recogni zed 
Entity  Farmer  Regulator  First 
buyer  Recogni zed 
Entity  Farmer  
Training recognized 
entities on 
Entrepreneurship 
including laws and 
principles      
 
 
X    
Cost of traceability 
system    
X  
X   
X    
Audit costs    X    x  
Inputs  Fertilizer   X    x  
Pesticide application    
X    x  
Social aspects  Monitoring and 
remediation of child 
labour and worst 
form of child labor    
 
X    x  
Environmental  
aspects  Agroforestry         
  
X    x  
Operational costs 
of Farmer as an 
Entity/ 
Farmer Group 
/Cooperative  Director salary       X  
Depot keeper/  
Purchasing clerks 
salary        
X  
Inspector/Analyzer 
salary       X  
Security salary       X  
Stevedore/Carriers       X  
Collection truck 
driver       X  
Collection truck 
maintenance       X  
Warehousing       X  
Discharge vehicle 
rental       X  
6 wheels       X  
10 wheels       X  
Trailer truck       X  
Tax      X  
Electricity bill       X  
Water bill       X  
Fuel      X  
Office supplies       X  
Office 
Accommodation       X   
 Action Budget line item  Start -up costs  Recurring operational costs  
 First 
buyer  Recogni zed 
Entity  Farmer  Regulator  First 
buyer  Recogni zed 
Entity  Farmer  
Communication 
costs        
X  
Postal service cost 
including post office 
box        
X  
Cooperative creation 
costs    
    X  
 
Note:  Start up and recurrent costs to be met as per individual country requirement  
 
   DARS 1000 -1:2020  
© ARSO 2020 — All rights reserved   Annex C 
(normative)  
 
Information on individual farms for cocoa farm diagnosis  
 
The cocoa farm diagnostic shall deliver a base -line diagnostic on all cocoa fields of a farm in order to 
determine which interventions are needed on the different cocoa fields to reach the targeted yield. 
The cocoa farm diagnostic shall at a minimum include observations on the elements listed in Table 
C.1 and C.2.  
 
Table C.1 — Farm, registered farmer and family socio -economic profiles  
 
Category  Data points  How to collect information  
Registered 
farmer and 
family profile  Registered farmer’s name, date of birth , gender, education level  Interview and/or registration data  
Spouse’s name, date of birth, gender, education level  Interview and/or registration data  
Number of children and other household members, includ ing date 
of birth and gender; number of children in school  Interview and/or registration data  
Farm or farmer code in the Recognized Entity ’s administration  Interview and/or registration data  
Whether member of a Farmer Group  Interview and/or registration data  
Whether a sharecropper or owner  Interview and/or registration data  
Location and contact details (address, telephone number)  Interview and/or registration data  
Registered 
farmer and 
family socio -
economic profile  Cocoa production, cost of production, gross and net income of 
production from 1, 2 and 3 years ago  Interview and/or registration data  
Non-cocoa (other) sources of income for the whole family (cocoa 
farming, other crops, paid work)  Interview and/or registration data  
Family living expenses, including schooling  Interview and/or registration data  
Banking arrangements (bank account, mobile money)  Interview and/or registration data  
Number of workers, total cost  Interview and/or registration data  
Number of family workers, gender, total cost  Interview and/or registration data  
Number of temporary workers, gender, total cost  Interview and/or registration data  
 
 
Category  Data points  How to collect information  
Farm profile  Year of farm creation  Interview and/or registration data  
Distance to forest land  Interview and/or registration data  
Land use total (including different crops)  Interview and/or registration data  
Land used for cocoa with GPS polygon  Interview and/or registration data  
Land used for other crops  Interview and/or registration data  
Fallow land  Interview and/or registration data  
Land used for cocoa with homogeneous conditions (cocoa field)  Farm visit  
 Source of planting materials  Interview and/or registration data  
 
 
  
  
Table C.2 — Information on individual farms for cocoa farm diagnosis and monitoring  
 
Adoption observations  
 Good  Medium  Bad Mechanism to monitor  
Plant material  1. Planting material: Genetic 
potential     Interview and observation  
Farm condition  2. Tree age   
   Interview and observation  
3. Tree density     Observation  
4. Tree health     Observation  
5. Debilitating disease 
(good=none)     Observation  
Good Agricultural 
Practices (GAP)  6. Pruning     Observation  
7. Pest and disease     Observation  
8. Farm sanitation     Observation  
9. Suckering/chupon removal     Observation  
10.. Weeding     Observation  
11.. Harvesting     Observation  
12. Shade management     Observation  
Soil 13. Soil condition     Observation/tests  
14. Soil PH     Tests  
15. Organic matter     Observation  
16. Fertilizer formulation     Interview through extension  
17. Fertilizer application     Interview  
   DARS 1000 -1:2020  
© ARSO 2020 — All rights reserved   Annex D 
(normative)  
 
Implementation and content of the Cocoa Farm Development Plan (CFDP)  
 
The Recognised Entity shall fulfil the requirements specified in Table D.1 and D.2 for the cocoa farm 
development plan (CFDP) and its implementation.  
 
 
Table D.1 — Implementation plan for the CFDP  
 
Objective  Implementation plan  How to collect 
information  
From diagnosis to 
implementation of the 
CFDP  The Recognized  Entity shall establish an  estimate of the farm yield 
with the registered farmer.  Discussion  
The Recognized  Entity shall advise the registered farmer on the 
CFDP per cocoa field, including cost of planting materia l, inputs 
and labour, based on cocoa farm diagnostic observations.  Calculations  
The Recognized  Entity together with the registered farmer shall 
evaluate options for prioritization of cocoa fields, recognizing 
financial and labour capacity.  Discussion  
The Recognized  Entity together with the registered farmer shall 
establish the final CFDP on all cocoa fields, taking into account 
agronomic reality, cost and estimated net income per year.  Discussion  
 
Table D.2 — Criteria for the CFDP  
Item Criteria  
Cocoa field  The Recognized  Entity together with the registered farmer shall divide the farm into cocoa fields 
(homogeneous plots) and take representative samples to develop CFDP for the entire farm.  
Year by year 
implementation plan  The Recognized  Entity shall ensure that the CFDP takes into account farm and family economics 
to guide the farmer in his/her financial decision making.  
Month by month 
implementation plan  The Recognized  Entity shall ensure that the CFDP delivers a month -to-month activity plan to 
guide the farmer in the implementation of his/her CFDP.  
Ensure social family 
obligations  The Recognized  Entity shall ensure that the CFDP delivers information to guide regis tered 
farmers in their investments, ensuring that  they are aware of risks of over -investment that could 
lead to inability to meet social family or financial needs.  
Maximum timeline  The Recognized  Entity together with the registered farmer shall establish the timeline for lifting 
the whole farm to the targeted yield. This timeline shall be no more than 10 years. The 
Recognized  Entity   shall ensure that all agreed interventions in the CFDP are implemented for all 
plots within 10 years.  
Monitoring  The Recognized  Entity shall ensure that the implementation and improvement of the CFDP is 
monitored and documented through the cocoa farm diagnostic observations.  
 
    
 Annex E 
(informative)  
 
Cocoa Farm Development Plan (CFDP) — Guidance for registered farmers  
 
 
 
Table E.1 — Cocoa Farm Development Plan— Guidance for registered farmers  
 
Data points  CFDP — how to collect the 
information  Detailed cocoa farm diagnostic for CFDP 
— how to collect the information  
Current farm status and what is 
needed to meet the level specified 
in this Standard.   Overview to provide clarity for 
registered farmer with regards to inputs 
and interventions needed.  Detailed overview for registered farmer with 
regards to inputs and interventions needed.  
Efforts and inputs needed to reach 
the level specified in this Standard.   Estimate of inputs needed (plant 
material, fertilizer, labour, etc.) to reach 
the level specified in this Standard.  Detailed overview of inputs needed (plant 
material, fertilizer, labour, etc.) to reach the 
high level specified in this Standard and 
where t o obtain the inputs.  
General understanding of 
investment needed to reach the 
level specified in this Standard.  Estimate of cost incurred (plant 
material, fertilizer, labour etc.) to reach 
the level specified in this Standard.  Detailed overview of cost inc urred (planting 
material, fertilizer, labour, etc. to reach the 
high level specified in this standard . 
General understanding of timeline 
needed to adjust farm rehabilitation 
to financial capacity.  Estimate of time needed to reach the 
level specified in this Standard 
depending on capacity for investment.  Detailed plan for gradual farm improvement 
to reach the level specified in this Standard 
on capacity for investmen t... 
Registered farmer knowledge.  Understanding of effort, cost and time 
needed to reach the level specified in 
this Standard.  Year -by-year estimate of effort, cost and 
time needed to reach the high level 
specified in this Standard including  yearly 
targets for monitoring.  
 
 
  DARS 1000 -1:2020  
© ARSO 2020 — All rights reserved   Alphabetical Index of Terms  
 
agricultural worker        3.1 
 
agroforestry         3.70 
 
annual work plan        3.2 
 
audit          3.3 
 
audit criteria         3.4 
 
audit findings         3.5 
 
audit evidence         3.6 
 
child         3.7 
 
child labour         3.8 
 
child/light work         3.9 
 
coaching         3.10 
 
cocoa          3.11 
 
cocoa bean         3.12 
 
cocoa farm         3.13 
 
cocoa farm development plan (CFDP)       3.14 
 
cocoa field         3.15 
 
competence         3.16 
 
conformity         3.17 
 
continual improvement        3.18 
 
cooperatives         3.67 
 
corrective action        3.19 
 
cost recovery mechanisms       3.20 
 
customer         3.21 
 
documented information        3.22 
 
ecosystem         3.23 
 
effectiveness         3.24 
 
farmer          3.25 
 
farmer as an entity        3.68 
 
farmer as an entity/Farmer Group/Cooperative [recognised entity]   3.26 
 
farmer group         3.66  
  
farmer premium         3.27 
 
fertilizer          3.28 
 
forced labour         3.29 
 
gender          3.30 
 
habitat          3.31 
 
hazardous conditions [hazardous work]       3.32 
 
hired worker         3.33 
 
homologated fertilizer        3.64 
 
household         3.69 
 
human rights         3.34 
 
integrated pest and disease management     3.35 
 
management         3.36 
 
management systems        3.37 
 
measurement         3.38 
 
monitoring         3.39 
 
non conformity         3.72 
 
objective         3.40 
 
objective evidence        3.71 
 
performance         3.41 
 
policy          3.42 
 
process          3.43 
 
primary forest         3.44 
 
protected area         3.45 
 
registered farmer        3.46 
 
regular hired worker        3.47 
 
regulator/legal entity        3.65 
 
risk inventory         3.48 
 
requirement         3.49 
 
resilience         3.50 
 
risk         3.51 DARS 1000 -1:2020  
© ARSO 2020 — All rights reserved    
secondary forest        3.52 
 
stakeholder         3.53 
 
start-up costs of implementation       3.54 
 
supplier          3.55 
 
sustainability         3.56 
 
system          3.57 
 
temporary hired worker        3.58 
 
top management        3.59 
 
traceability         3.60 
 
wage worker         3.61 
 
worst forms of child labour       3.62 
 
youth          3.63 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 Bibliography  
 
[1] ISO 2451, Cocoa beans — Specification and quality requirements  
 
[2] ISO 9000, Quality management systems — Fundamentals and vocabulary  
 
[3] ISO 19011, Guidelines for auditing management systems  
 
[4] ISO 2292:2017, Cocoa beans — Sampling  
 
[5] ISO 2451:2017, Cocoa beans — Specification and quality requirements  
 
[5] ISO 34101 -1:2019, Sustainable and traceable cocoa — Part 1: Requirements for cocoa 
sustainability management systems  
 
 [6] ISO 34101 -2:2019, Sustainable and traceable cocoa — Part 2: Requirements for 
performance (related to economic, social and environmental aspects)  
 
[7] ISO 34101 -3:2019, Sustainable and traceable cocoa — Part 3: Requirements for traceability  
 
[8] ISO 34101 -4:2019, Sustainable and traceable cocoa — Part 4: Requirements for certification 
schemes  
 
[9] International Labour Organization (ILO): Forced Labour Convention (No. 29). 1930  
 
[10] International Labour Organizat ion (ILO): Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to  
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[11] International Labour Organization (ILO): Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention  
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[12] International Labour Organization (ILO): Equal Remuneration Convention (No. 100). 1951  
 
[13] International Labour Organization (ILO): Abo lition of Forced Labour Convention (No. 105). 1957  
 
[14] International Labour Organization (ILO): Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention  
 (No.111). 1958  
 
[16] International Labour Organization (ILO): Minimum Age for Admission to Employment and Work  
 (No. 138). 1999  
 
[18] International Labour Organization (ILO): Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention (No. 182). 1999  
 
[19] Ohada Uniform Act of 15 December 2010 on the Law of Cooperative Societies (Articles 4, 5 and  
 6) 
 
[20] United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP): Convention on Biological Diversity. 1992  
 
[21] United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP): Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete  
 the Ozone Layer. 1989  
 
[22] United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP): Convention on Biological Diversity. 1992  
 
[23] United Nations General Assembly: Universal Declaration of Human Rights. 1948  
 
[24] United Nations General Assembly: International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. 1966  
 
[25] United Nations General Assem bly: International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural  
 Rights. 1966 .