Indicators and smart meters
WHY INDICATORS?
Yearly measurement of indicators can help certificate holders to better manage farms, take better informed decisions, and better quantify
and display the benefits of more sustainable practices. Indicator data help certificate holders and the Rainforest Alliance to monitor improvements achieved and give insight in required support.

WHY SMART METERS?

Certificate holder actions:

Smart meters are indicators with a target. Certificate holders set their own targets based on their context, resources and ambitions. They
define the actions needed to work towards the targets and with the help of the smart meter indicator data, they monitor the progress andadjust the actions if needed.

Data collection/measurement:• Core and mandatory L1
improvement requirements withindicators

Smart Meters:
For 1.1.2 & 5.4.4:• Data collection/ baseline
measurement• Set targets• Plan actions (include inmanagement plan)

Smart Meters:
1.1.2 & 5.4.4:• Implement actions, measureprogress towards targets, adapt
actions if needed
All other applicable Smart Meters:• Data collection/ baseline
measurement• Set targets• Plan and start actions (include inmanagement plan)

Compliance:• Applicable core requirements

Compliance:• Applicable core requirements

Data collection/measurement:• Core requirements withindicators

Certification Body checks:

PREPARATION PHASE

YEAR 1

Data collection/measurement:• Core and mandatory L1 improvement
requirements with indicators
All applicable Smart Meters:• Implement actions, measure progress
towards targets, adapt actions if neededCompliance:• Applicable core requirements
At the end of year 3:• Mandatory L1 improvement requirements• Reach targets for applicable smart
metersYEAR 2

YEAR 3

YEAR 4

CERTIFICATION AUDIT 1SURVEILLANCE AUDIT 1 and 2

CERTIFICATION AUDIT 2

Data collection/measurement:• Core requirements with indicators:
consistent, complete, correct?

Data collection/measurement:• Core and mandatory L1 improvement
requirements with indicators:
consistent, complete, correct?

Data collection/measurement:• Core and mandatory L1
improvement requirements withindicators: consistent, complete,correct?

Smart Meters:
For 1.1.2 & 5.4.4, check:• Measurement consistent, complete,correct?
• Targets set?
• Actions included in management
plan?
Compliance:• Applicable core requirements

Smart Meters:• Progress measured for all applicablesmart meters: consistent, complete,correct?
• Actions implemented and adapted ifneeded (management plan)?
Compliance:• Applicable core requirements

Smart Meters:• Progress measured for all applicablesmart meters: consistent, complete,correct?
• Actions implemented and targets
reached (management plan)?*Compliance:• Applicable core and mandatory L1
improvement requirements*Certificate holders do not get a non-conformity based only on the level of the smart meters. Certification bodies check if all data werecorrectly collected and if the certificate holder (CH) implemented the defined actions.
The first data for the smart meters are called the baseline, as the next data will be compared to this.
The Rainforest Alliance spans 70 countries and includes farmers and forest communities, companies, governments, civil society, and millions of individuals. Together we work to protect forests and biodiversity, take action on climate, and promote the rights and improve the livelihoods of rural people.

rainforest-alliance.org

info@ra.org