RAINFOREST
ALLIANCESUSTAINABLE
AGRICULTURE
STANDARD
SUPPLY CHAIN REQUIREMENTS
Version 1.2

ABOUT RAINFOREST ALLIANCE
The Rainforest Alliance is creating a moresustainable world by using social and market
forces to protect nature and improve the livesof farmers and forest communities.
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For any question related to the precise meaning of
the information contained in the translation,
should refer to the English official version forclarification.
Any discrepancies or differences in meaning
due to translation are not binding and have noeffect for auditing or certification purposes.
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Alliance, visit www.rainforest-alliance.org, contact
info@ra.org or contact the Rainforest Alliance
Amsterdam Office, De Ruijterkade 6, 1013AA
Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Document name:

Document code:

Version:Rainforest Alliance Sustainable Agriculture Standard,
Supply Chain Requirements

SA-S-SD-2-V1.2

1.2

Date of first publication:

Date of revision:

Valid from:

Expires by:June 30th, 2020

January 31st, 2022

July 1st, 2022

Until further notice

Developed by:Rainforest Alliance Department Standards and Assurance

Approved by
Director of Standards and Assurance

Linked to:
SA-S-SD-1 Rainforest Alliance 2020 Sustainable Agriculture Standard, Farm Requirements
All other annexes, guidances and policies listed in this document.

Replaces:
SA-S-SD-2-V1.1 Rainforest Alliance 2020 Sustainable Agriculture Standard, Supply Chain Requirements

The Standard Requirements are binding and must
be complied with for certification.
Any use of this content including reproduction,
modification, distribution, or republication,
without the prior written consent of Rainforest
Alliance is strictly prohibited.

SA-S-SD-2-V1.2

Applicable to:Country/Region:

Supply chain certificate holders

All

Crops:All crops in the scope of the Rainforest Alliancecertification system; please see Certification Rules.

Rainforest Alliance | 2020 Supply Chain Requirements | About

Type of certification:
Supply chain certificate holders

2 OF 31KEY CHANGES IN VERSION 1.2
Overview of key adaptations in this document
SA-S-SD-2-V1.2 Rainforest Alliance Sustainable Agriculture Standard, Supply Chain Requirements, published January 31st, 2022,
compared to
SA-S-SD-2-V1.1 Rainforest Alliance Sustainable Agriculture Standard, Supply Chain Requirements, published January 31st, 2021
Requirement
number
1.5.1

Subject

ChangeGrievance mechanism

Amendment. The grievance committee is formed by management and must include at least one

3.2.4

Payment of

Amendment. Depending on the crop, next to contractual agreements, commitments may be in place

Sustainability

which specify the amount and other terms around Sustainability Differential.

member/worker representative.

Differential
3.2.6

Recording of the

Simplification of the requirement, more specific details are in Annex S14 Shared Responsibility.

Sustainability
Differential
3.3.5

Recording of the

Simplification of the requirement, more specific details are in Annex S14 Shared Responsibility.

Sustainability
Investment
3.3.6

Payment of

New requirement added that the responsible certificate holder must have clear contractual

Sustainability

agreements or commitments in place which specify the amount and other terms around

Investments

Sustainability Investments. This requirement now aligns with requirement 3.2.4 requiring the same
contract agreements or commitments for Sustainability Differential.

5.3.1

Written contracts for

Clarification that written employment contracts are required for permanent and temporary workers

workers

who are employed for three consecutive months or more.

5.3.3

Minimum wage

Annual inflation correction of wages is removed. This clause is now included as a separate self-

5.3.5

Wage deductions

Addition to specify that the employer carries out these remittances fully and timely.

5.3.13

Minimum wage

Annual inflation correction of wages. New self-selected requirement to cover inflation correction

5.4.2

Living wage

Wage Improvement Plan. Annual Inflation correction of wages is removed.

5.5.2

Overtime

Extension of exceptional circumstances in which additional overtime may be allowed to cover crops

6.5.6

Rainwater harvesting

selected requirement 5.1.13.

removed form requirements 5.3.3 and 5.4.2.

with a short harvest window of up to 6 weeks.

SA-S-SD-2-V1.2

Amendment to the use of harvested rainwater to include other agricultural purposes beyond irrigation.

Rainforest Alliance | 2020 Supply Chain Requirements | Table of contents

3 OF 31TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 2: TRACEABILITY

14

2.1 Traceability
2.2 Traceability in Online Platform

15
16

2.3 Mass Balance

17

CHAPTER 3: INCOME AND
SHARED RESPONSIBILITY

18

3.2 Sustainability Differential

19

3.3 Sustainability Investments

19

3.4 Supply Chain Contributions
for Living Wage Payment

20

INTRODUCTION

5Reimagining Certification
2020 Sustainable Agriculture Standard:
Supply Chain Requirements
Standard Development
2020 Certification Program
Overview of the Supply Chain Requirements

5

Certificate Holder Risk Profile Contextualization

8

CHAPTER 1: MANAGEMENT

9

1.1 Management

9

1.2 Administration
1.4 Internal Inspection and
Self-Assessment
1.5 Grievance Mechanism

10
11
12

S1 Glossary
S3 Risk Assessment

1.6 Gender Equality

13

S4 Remediation Protocol
S6 Traceability

5
5
6
7

CHAPTER 5: SOCIAL

21

5

Assess-and-Address Child Labour,
Forced labour, Discrimination,
Workplace violence and Harassment
5.1 Freedom of Association
5.2 Wages and Contracts
5.5 Working Conditions

22
24
25
27

5.6 Health and Safety

28

CHAPTER 6: ENVIRONMENT

30

6.6 Wastewater Management

31

Annexes

S14 Shared Responsibility
Guidances (non-binding)General Guide
Guidance Document E: Grievance Mechanism
Guidance Document F: Gender Equality
Guidance Document L: Assess-and-Address
Guidance Document R: Assess-and-Address
Monitoring Tool

SA-S-SD-2-V1.2

Rainforest Alliance | 2020 Supply Chain Requirements | Table of contents

4 OF 31INTRODUCTIONOUR VISIONREIMAGINING
CERTIFICATION
The merger of the Rainforest Alliance and UTZ in2018 was a natural moment for us to combine ourexperience and develop a strong, forward-looking
approach to certification that is fit for thechallenges now facing sustainable agriculture
and related supply chains.
‘Reimagining Certification’ is our long-term vision,
based on a set of core principles: continuous
improvement; data-powered; risk-based
assurance; contextualization; and shared
responsibility.

SA-S-SD-2-V1.2

2020 SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
STANDARD: SUPPLY CHAINREQUIREMENTS
The topic of sustainability should continue beyond
the farm gate, and buyers in certified supply chainsmust provide increased support to farmers to work
more sustainably. With the Rainforest Alliance’s 2020
Certification Program, we’re aiming to foster not onlytransparency but also responsible business practices
by companies throughout the supply chain.
As the first step towards our Reimagining Certification
vision, the Supply Chain Requirements of the
Sustainable Agriculture Standard introduce a numberof innovations, such as a contextualized package ofrequirements adapted to the circumstances of eachcertificate holder, strengthened risk assessment to
identify and manage sustainability risks, and shared
responsibility requirements to reward farmers forsustainable production and target investments toachieve sustainability goals. A detailed exploration ofthese innovations can be found in the ‘2020
Sustainable Agriculture Standard – Introduction’
document available from the Rainforest Alliancewebsite.

Rainforest Alliance | 2020 Supply Chain Requirements | Introduction

The Farm Requirements and Supply Chain
Requirements together form the Rainforest Alliance
Sustainable Agriculture Standard. Requirements thatcan be applicable to farm certificate holders, aretaken up in the Farm Requirements document.
Requirements that can be applicable to supply
chain certificate holders, are taken up in the Supply
Chain Requirements document. This means thenumbering in each of these two documents canshow gaps.

STANDARD
DEVELOPMENTThe Rainforest Alliance is a full member of ISEAL.
The 2020 Sustainable Agriculture Standard has
been developed, for the relevant parts, inaccordance with the ISEAL Standard-Setting
Code of Good Practice, ensuring that the
documents are relevant, transparent, andreflecting a balance of stakeholder interests.

5 OF 312020 CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
The Rainforest Alliance 2020 Certification Programprovides the foundation for our approach toreimagining certification. The new standard,
assurance system and related data andtechnology systems are designed to deliver morevalue to the many people and businesses aroundthe world that use Rainforest Alliance certification
as an essential tool to support sustainable

SUSTAINABLE
AGRICULTURE STANDARDFARMREQUIREMENTS

SUPPLY CHAINREQUIREMENTS

Annexes (binding):
Compliance with the content of the annexes is required in order to be certified.
Guidances (non-binding):
Documents to help users understand, interpret and implement the requirements,
but are not binding for audits.

SA-S-SD-2-V1.2

agricultural production and supply chains. Our2020 Certification Program is made up of
three principal components that are designed
to work closely with each other:

ASSURANCESYSTEM• Certification Rules to set out how
auditors evaluate compliancewith the farm and supply chain
requirements• Auditing Rules to ensure thatcertification bodies consistently
deliver Rainforest Alliance auditsof the highest quality• Rules for Authorizing Certification
Bodies to determine whichorganizations can carry out audits
against the new Rainforest Alliance
Sustainable Agriculture Standard• Rules for Certification Bodies’
Personnel

Rainforest Alliance | 2020 Supply Chain Requirements | Introduction

DATA SYSTEMSAND TOOLS

Certificate holders at farm andsupply chain level will register
for membership, manage audit
processes and record sales
transactions of certified products
in a new IT platform.
New IT-based tools will
progressively be made available tofarmers, certificate holders andsupply chain actors to better trackand manage sustainability
performance against therequirements of the Sustainable
Agriculture Standard.

6 OF 31OVERVIEW OF THE SUPPLY CHAIN REQUIREMENTS
The requirements in this document are set out
in chapters according to their principal theme.
These requirements are all mandatory if they arein the contextualized checklist that is produced
after the registration process, instead of –requirements under 3.4 on contribution to living
wage payment, which can be self-selected.

1. Management
1.1

Management

1.2

Administration

1.4

Internal Inspection and Self-Assessment

1.5

Grievance Mechanism

1.6

Gender Equality

2. Traceability
2.1

Traceability

2.2

Traceability in Online Platform

2.3

Mass Balance

3. Income and Shared Responsibility
3.2

Sustainability Differential

3.3

Sustainability Investments

3.4

Supply Chain Contributions for Living Wage Payment (Self-selected)

5. Social
5.1

Assess-and-Address Child Labor, Forced Labor, Discrimination, Workplace Violence and Harassment

5.2

Freedom of Association

5.3

Wages and Contracts

5.5

Working Conditions

5.6

Health and Safety

6. Environment
6.6

Wastewater Management

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Rainforest Alliance | 2020 Supply Chain Requirements | Introduction

7 OF 31

Supply Chain Risk Assessment (SCRA)
for Supply Chain Actors
As a part of the assurance system, data iscollected through the SCRA which is embedded in
the registration and profile completion process.
The SCRA evaluates the potential risks of anorganization’s operations on individual site level inorder to determine the type and frequency ofverification required. A company’s profile is basedon the activities, location and crop information
captured through this process in combination
with other internal and third-party data (volumes,
compliance, social risks, and others) specific foreach individual operation. The organization’s profile
will result in a contextualized checklist of bothmandatory and available self-selected
requirements.
Once the list of applicable requirements is
confirmed by the organization, the SCRA thendetermines the level of verification required toaddress the organization’s contextualized checklist. Additional compliance documentation canbe provided by the organization against the
mandatory requirements which will be considered
as possible mitigating factors to decrease theverification level. The SCRA therefore can be
broken down into two parts: 1) the contextualized
check list of mandatory and self-selected
requirements and 2) the level of verificationneeded to assess compliance; visualized in

Certificate Holder Risk Profile Contextualization
Profile completion

Supply Chain Risk Assessment

Contextualized
checklist of applicablerequirements

Contextualized
checklist forverification

Mandatory

Mandatory

Profile:Location, crop, activities(i.e. Business type,certification & traceability
level, labelling, etc.)• Requirement 1.1.3

1• Requirement 3.3.4

3

Risk identified based oninternal and external data:(i.e. RA certificate data, CPI)

• Requirement 1.1.4

6Additionalrisk factors:
Volumes,claims, compliance history• Requirement 3.3.5

Risk Mitigators:
Additional
certifications

6

Self-selectthis graphic.

3• Requirement 3.3.5• Requirement 6.6.1• Requirement 6.6.2• Requirement 6.6.3

Self-select• Requirement 3.4.1• Requirement 3.4.2• Requirement 3.4.3

3• Requirement 3.4.4

Non-applicablerequirements are
eliminated• Requirement 1.1.4• Requirement 3.3.4

3• Requirement 6.6.1• Requirement 6.6.2• Requirement 6.6.3• Requirement 1.1.3

1Level ofverification canbe minimized• Requirement 3.4.1• Requirement 3.4.2• Requirement 3.4.3• Requirement 3.4.4

Verification Level: C

SA-S-SD-2-V1.2

Rainforest Alliance | 2020 Supply Chain Requirements | Introduction

8 OF 31CHAPTER 1

MANAGEMENT

SA-S-SD-2-V1.2

Rainforest Alliance | 2020 Supply Chain Requirements | Introduction

Sustainability is not just a way of life
but is also a business, and successful
business needs management. The
Rainforest Alliance wants to see
certified organizations managed in an
efficient, transparent, inclusive andeconomically viable manner. Here, it isessential that farms and companies
implement an integrated planningand management system, withprocesses and procedures forcontinuous improvement. This chapter
includes topics related to
management and responsible
business conduct. Requirements onthese topics follow a process ofassessment, planning,
implementation, evaluation andadjustment.
Through the use of our Risk Assessment
Tool, companies define mitigation andadaptation practices for specific topics
to include in their management plans.
This first chapter also includes the
cross-cutting theme of gender. The
inclusion of this topic in the
management chapter recognizes thefundamental importance of gender,
and that it applies to multiple
dimensions of a company’s activities.

9 OF 311.1 MANAGEMENT
1.1.3

There is a clearly documented and implemented management plan which addresses each applicable Rainforest Alliance Supply Chain requirement.
Documented procedures include control of certified products for all applicable processes, included in the certificate scope, to maintain productintegrity.

1.1.4

The supply chain certificate holder has devised, adopted, and disseminated one or more policies for ensuring responsible business conduct in its own operations, supply
chain, and other business relationships. The policies cover direct and indirect adverse impacts on human rights and the environment.
• The policies commit and refer to following the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Business Conduct. References and commitments to the OECD Guidelines
for Multinational Enterprises or UN Guiding Principles for Business and Human Rights are also acceptable.
• Oversight and responsibility for these policies and their implementation is assigned to senior management.
• The policies and its expectations are specified in engagement with suppliers and other business relationships, including contracts and other written agreements.
A potential tool for compliance is to have a supplier code of conduct in place.
• At a minimum, this policy requires from the supply chain certificate holder, its suppliers, and other business relationships:- Compliance with applicable laws and relevant standards in relation to human rights, worker rights and conditions, health and safety- Compliance with applicable laws and relevant standards in relation to environmental protection, deforestation, biodiversity, waste,
and wastewater management
For a model policy for responsible agricultural supply chains, consult the OECD Guidance for Responsible Agricultural Supply Chains, page 25-29.I5

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9 OF 311.2 ADMINISTRATION
1.2.3

There is a list of current subcontractors, suppliers, and intermediaries of certified product that confirms their compliance to certification rules prior to or at the moment of anactivity.
For farms, this list of suppliers refers only to other farms they buy from.

1.2.5

An up-to-date list of permanent and temporary workers is kept, containing for each worker:••••

Full name
GenderYear of birthStart and end date(s) of employment• Wages
For workers for whom housing is provided, the registry additionally contains:• Housing address• Number of family members• Year of birth of family members
For children conducting light work (12-14 years) and young workers (15-17 years), the registry additionally contains:••••

Housing address
Name and address of parent(s) or legal guardian(s)School registration (if applicable)
Type of work or tasks• The number of daily and weekly working hours
Note on applicability: for supply chain certification, this requirement is only applicable to those certificate holders that present a high risk in social topics and therefore
must comply with requirements in chapter 5.

1.2.9

Records for certification purposes and compliance are kept for at least four years.

1.2.16

There is a list of workers (m/f) who have been trained and have the knowledge and skills to effectively implement the supply chain management plan.

1.2.17

Multi-site administrator maintains a list of sites to be included in the certificate with the following information: Risk result, addresses, scope, and workers
responsible for implementation at that site. Consent forms for sites not under common ownership are required, if applicable.

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1.4 INTERNAL INSPECTION AND SELF-ASSESSMENT
1.4.1

An internal inspection system is in place to assess compliance of group members (for farms), sites, and/or other actors in scope with the Rainforest Alliance Sustainable
Agriculture Standard. The system includes:• Yearly inspection of each group member (for farms), (processing) site and any other actor (including subcontractors, intermediaries, service providers) in thecertification scope. Before the first certification audit, all these actors need to be internally inspected.
• The scope in the first year of certification is: all applicable requirements of the Rainforest Alliance Sustainable Agriculture Standard• The scope during consecutive years is based on the Risk Assessment (for farms, see 1.3.1), on the previous year’s internal inspection and on audit results.
For farm scope only: a rotation system is in place so that each farm unit is inspected at least every 3 years. In case of remote farm units, this is done at least every 6 years.
Note on applicability: internal inspections are carried out when more than one entity (group members, sites, service providers, subcontractors) is included in the certificate.

1.4.2

Management carries out a yearly self-assessment to evaluate its own compliance and that of all actors in its certification scope with the Rainforest Alliance Sustainable
Agriculture Standard.
For farm certificate holders, the self-assessment includes the results of the internal inspections of the group members and other entities covered in the certificate (including
subcontractors, intermediaries, service providers, and processing sites).
For multi-site supply chain certificate holders, the self-assessment includes the internal inspections of the sites, including subcontractors.

1.4.3

An approval and sanction system is in place in relation to the compliance of group members (for farms) and/or sites with the Rainforest Alliance Sustainable AgricultureStandard. The system includes:• A written approval and sanction procedure• An approval and sanction manager or committee• A mechanism to follow up on group members’/sites’ improvement and corrective measures• A decision on each group member’s/site’s certification status that is signed and documented and included in the final internal inspection report

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1.5 GRIEVANCE MECHANISM
1.5.1

A grievance mechanism is in place that enables individuals, workers, communities, and/or civil society, including whistle-blowers to raise their complaints of being negatively
affected by specific business activities and/or operations of any nature, including technical, social, or economic nature. The grievance mechanism may be provided directly
through collaboration with other companies, or through an industry program or institutionalized mechanism and in accordance with the United Nations Guiding Principles(UNGPs). The grievance mechanism should be accessible, in local languages, and also for those who cannot read or do not have access to internet. The grievancemechanism should include at least the following elements:• A grievance committee with decision making power, with knowledge about the grievances, that is impartial, accessible, and gender sensitive• The grievance committee is formed by management, and must include at least one member/worker representative• The grievance mechanism has appropriate submission channels, for internal and external stakeholders, including workers, members, staff, buyers,
suppliers, indigenous peoples, and communities• Anonymous grievances are accepted, and confidentiality is respected• Human and labour rights grievances are remediated in accordance with the Remediation Protocol, and in collaboration with the Assess-and-address Committee and/or
the Gender Committee/Person as appropriate, depending on the case
• Grievances and agreed follow up actions are documented, and shared with the persons involved within a reasonable timeframe• Submitters of grievances are protected against employment/membership termination, retribution, or threats as a consequence of using the grievance mechanism
Assess-and-Address Committee (if applicable): see 5.1.1
Gender Committee/Person: see 1.6.1

Please see Annex S4: Remediation Protocol

Please see Guidance Document E: Grievance Mechanism

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1.6 GENDER EQUALITY
1.6.1

Management commits to promoting gender equality by:• A written statement that is communicated to group members/workers• Appointing a committee that is responsible for the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of measures that promote gender equality and women’s empowerment.
Management can choose to appoint a responsible person instead of a committee, except in the case of large farms.
The responsible committee/person:• Is knowledgeable about gender equality and women’s empowerment• In case of a committee, includes at least one woman and at least one person from management• Is known, accessible and trusted by the group members/workers
Please see Guidance Document F: Gender Equality

1.6.2

The responsible committee/person performs the following activities:• Implements measures that promote gender equality following the basic Risk Assessment and includes these measures in the management plan (1.1.3)• Raises awareness on gender equality and women’s empowerment with management and (group) staff at least annually• Is involved in remediation cases concerning gender-based violence and gender-based discrimination in accordance with the Remediation Protocol

Please see Annex S3: Risk Assessment Tool

Please see Annex S4: Remediation Protocol

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CHAPTER 2

TRACEABILITY

A successful, credible sustainableagriculture certification program
must be able to provide its users
with the confidence that certified
products are indeed produced
according to the standard.
This requires a robust, transparent
system to track products from thefarmer along the supply chain up to
the level of retail.
The requirements in this chapter
provide certificate holders with aframework to accurately and credibly
trace certified product and report any
activity performed on the certified
product (including conversions andsales) in the Rainforest Alliance
traceability platform.

2.1 TRACEABILITY
2.1.3

Certified products are visually segregated from non-certified products at all stages, including transport, storage, and processing.

2.1.4

Management has mapped the product flow up to the final location of the certificate scope, including all intermediaries (collection points, transport, processing units,warehouses, etc.) and activities carried out on the product.

2.1.6

Shipments of certified products do not exceed the total production (for farms), purchase of certified products plus remaining stock balance from the previous year.

2.1.7

There is no double selling of volumes: products sold as conventional product or sold under another scheme or sustainability initiative are not also sold as Rainforest Alliance Certified.
Selling products which are certified under more than one scheme is possible.

2.1.9

The correct methodology for the calculation of conversion factors is demonstrated and documented for each certified product and reflected accordingly in the traceability
platform.

Please see Annex S6: Traceability

2.1.10Equipment used to define the weight or volume of the certified product is calibrated annually.

2.1.11

A volume summary of certified product is provided for the previous 12 months. This includes inputs, volume purchased, in stock, processed, outputs, lost and sold (as applicable).

2.1.12Documentation includes traceability type and percentage (when applicable) when there is a change in legal ownership and/or physical possession of the certified product.

2.1.13

There is evidence (documentation on incoming and outgoing product, on-site procedures, reports) that any Rainforest Alliance claim made is valid and complies withRainforest Alliance Certification Program requirements.

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2.2 TRACEABILITY IN THE ONLINE PLATFORM

Applicable to certificate holders working in crops for which online traceability is offered within the Rainforest Alliance Certification Program.

2.2.1

Volumes sold as certified are recorded in the Rainforest Alliance traceability platform at the latest two weeks after the end of the quarter within which the shipment took place.
Please see Annex S6: Traceability

2.2.2

Buyers of Rainforest Alliance Certified product have a procedure in place to regularly verify that transactions in the traceability platform match invoices for certified
products purchased and/or shipped.

2.2.3

Volumes not sold as Rainforest Alliance Certified and/or lost are removed from the traceability platform within two weeks after the end of the quarter in which the shipment
took place or volume was lost.
Please see Annex S6: Traceability

2.2.4

In case of public facing trademark use, an approval is obtained in accordance with the Rainforest Alliance Labelling and Trademarks Policy for on and off producttrademarks prior to use.

2.2.5

Shipments that are combined into one transaction include sufficient information to relate the transaction to the individual shipments.

2.2.6

Written confirmation granting a traceability platform mandate by the farm certificate holder and acknowledgement by both parties is available.

2.2.7

The party granted the traceability platform mandate complies with applicable traceability requirements.
Please see Annex S6: Traceability

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2.3 MASS BALANCE
Applicable to certificate holders applying mass balance in the crops that permit the traceability type massbalance. Please see Annex S6: Traceability

2.3.1

Volume credits are only converted for a process that can occur in reality; product conversion cannot go backwards to a previous product.

2.3.2

The volume of product sold as mass balance is 100% covered by volumes purchased as certified.

2.3.3

Volumes sold as certified meet the minimum percentage requirements for origin information.
Please see Annex S6: Traceability

2.3.4

Purchase and sales documentation for volumes sold as certified include origin information to country level for incoming certified and non-certified volumes.
Please see Annex S6: Traceability

2.3.5

Credit trading is limited to within a certificate, movement from one certificate to another shall be accompanied by shipment of relevant product.

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CHAPTER 3

INCOMEAND SHAREDRESPONSIBILITY

The Rainforest Alliance aims to makesustainability the norm in the sectors inwhich it operates. This entails a fundamental transformation of the operating principles of the supply chain in thegiven sector. This means moving to asystem where sustainability in agricultural production is valued and priced
as a material service over and above
the cost of the commodity. This alsomeans that the investments needed toadvance sustainability practices atorigin are borne not only by the
producer but also the market. These
aspects of Shared Responsibility canbe found within two elements of the2020 Sustainable Agriculture Standard.
The first is the Sustainability Differential,
a monetary payment paid to farm
certificate holders on top of the market
price for the sale of certified crop.
The second is Sustainability Investments which are made by buyers ofcertified product to contribute to theinvestments farm certificate holders
need to drive sustainability progress atorigin. With the aim to go beyond theSustainability Investment approach,this chapter also includes a set of
requirements on the contribution toliving wage payments at farm certificate holder level that supply chain
certificate holders can self-select.

3.2 SUSTAINABILITY DIFFERENTIAL
3.2.3

The responsible certificate holders pay the Sustainability Differential in the form of a monetary payment on top of the market price, quality premiums or other differentials.
Sustainability Differential cannot be paid in kind.
Please see Annex S14: Shared Responsibility

3.2.4

The responsible certificate holders have clear contractual agreements or commitments in place which specify the amount and other terms around Sustainability
Differential payment. See Annex S14 for further detail on applicability.
Please see Annex S14: Shared Responsibility

3.2.5

The full amount of the Sustainability Differential is paid at least annually and no later than payment terms defined for the relevant crop.
Please see Annex S14: Shared Responsibility

3.2.6

Confirmation of the Sustainability Differential is recorded in the traceability platform.
Please see Annex S14: Shared Responsibility

3.2.7

The Sustainability Differential paid amounts to at least the prescribed minimum, for crops for which a minimum is defined.
Please see Annex S14: Shared Responsibility

3.3 SUSTAINABILITY INVESTMENTS
3.3.4

The full amount of the Sustainability Investment is paid at least annually and no later than payment terms defined for the relevant crop.
Please see Annex S14: Shared Responsibility

3.3.5

Confirmation of the Sustainability Investment is recorded in the traceability platform.
Please see Annex S14: Shared Responsibility

3.3.6

The certificate holders have clear contractual agreements or commitments in place which specify the amount and other terms around Sustainability Investment. See Annex S14
for further detail on applicability.
Please see Annex S14: Shared Responsibility

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3.4 SUPPLY CHAIN CONTRIBUTIONS TO LIVING WAGE PAYMENT (SELF SELECTED)
Applicable to any certificate holder deciding to make a Living Wage payment contribution and corresponding claim.

3.4.1

The supply chain certificate holder has a copy of the farm certificate holder’s plan for wage improvement and has identified how and when support could be provided toachieve it.

3.4.2

There is written evidence that the responsible supply chain certificate holder has engaged and come to agreement with the farm certificate holder onmodalities, targets and timelines for contributing to the implementation of the farm’s wage improvement plan.

3.4.3

There is evidence that contributions to the farm’s wage improvement plan are being made and align with modalities, targets and timelines as agreed uponwith the farm certificate holder.

3.4.4

The direct financial or other type of investment in context of Living Wage payment contribution by the supply chain certificate holder to the farm is recorded.

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CHAPTER 5

SOCIALThe social chapter seeks to empower
workers to realize better working andliving conditions for themselves andtheir families; to promote equality andrespect for all with special attention tovulnerable groups such as migrants,
children, youth and women; and tostrengthen human and labour rights
protections on certified operations.
To support sustainable livelihoods,
the Rainforest Alliance Sustainable
Agriculture Standard establishes
requirements related to all
fundamental human and labour
rights, health and safety, anddecent living and working
conditions.
These requirements align with the
UN Guiding Principles (UNGPs) on
Business and Human Rights, relevant
ILO conventions, and other multistakeholder concepts.

5.1 ASSESS-AND-ADDRESS CHILD LABOR, FORCED LABOR, DISCRIMINATION, WORKPLACE VIOLENCE AND HARASSMENT
5.1.1

Commitment:
Management commits to assess-and-address child labour, forced labour, discrimination, and workplace violence and harassment by:• Appointing a management representative who is accountable for the assess-and-address system• For large farms, individually certified farms and supply chain certificate holders: giving a mandate to a committee comprised of the appointed management representative
and workers representative(s) to manage the assess-and-address system. The worker representative(s) is/are selected by workers.
• For group management: giving a mandate to a committee comprised of the appointed management representative and a group member representative tomanage the assess-and-address system. Group management can choose to appoint a management representative only instead of a committee.
The committee members are:
• Knowledgeable about child labour, forced labour, discrimination and workplace violence and harassment• Impartial, accessible and trusted by workers/group members
Communication:• Management representative/committee: coordinates with management, the grievance committee and the gender person/committee• Raises awareness of these four issues with management and (group) staff at least annually• Informs workers/group members in writing that child labour, forced labour, discrimination and workplace violence and harassment are not tolerated,
and that management has a system in place to assess and address related cases. This information is visibly displayed at central locations at all times.
Please see Guidance Document L: Assess-and-Address

5.1.2

Risk mitigation:
The management representative/committee includes in the management plan (1.1.3) the mitigation measures as identified in the basic Risk Assessment andimplements corresponding measures.
The basic Risk Assessment is repeated at least every three years.

Please see Annex S3: Risk Assessment Tool

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5.1 ASSESS AND ADDRESS CHILD LABOR, FORCED LABOR, DISCRIMINATION, WORKPLACE VIOLENCE AND HARASSMENT
5.1.3

Monitoring:
The management representative/committee• Monitors risks and the implementation of risk mitigation measures• Reports potential cases of child labour, forced labour, discrimination, and workplace violence and harassment to the management and to the grievance committee• Monitors remediation activities (see 5.1.4)
The intensity of the monitoring system is adjusted to the risk level and the issue.
Please see Guidance Document R: Assess-and-Address Monitoring Tool

5.1.4

Remediation:
The management representative/committee sets out in the management plan how to remediate cases of child labour, forced labour, discrimination, workplace
violence and harassment. Confirmed cases are remediated and documented following the Rainforest Alliance Remediation Protocol. Safety and confidentiality of thevictims is protected throughout the process.

Please see Annex S4: Remediation Protocol

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5.2 FREEDOM OF ASSOCIATION
5.2.1

Workers have the right to form and join a union or workers’ organization of their own choice and to take part in collective bargaining, without prior authorization from the employer,
and in accordance with applicable law. Workers’ representatives are elected democratically among workers in regular, free elections.
Management informs workers on these rights through a written policy in a language they understand, before the start of employment. The written policy on freedom of associationand collective bargaining is visibly displayed at all times in the workplace.
Where the right to freedom of association and collective bargaining is restricted under law, management does not hinder the development of parallel means for independentand free association, bargaining and dialogue with management.
ILO Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention, 1948 (No. 87)
ILO Workers Representatives Recommendation, 1971 (No. 143)

5.2.2

Workers are not subject to discrimination or retaliation for reasons of past or present workers’ organization or union membership or activities. Management does not punish,
bribe or otherwise influence union members or workers’ representatives. Records are kept of terminations of employment, including the reason for termination and workers
affiliation with a union or workers’ organization. Management does not interfere in the internal affairs of workers’ organizations and/or unions, nor in elections or duties related
to membership of such organizations.
ILO Right to Organise and Collective Bargaining Convention, 1949 (No. 98)
ILO Workers Representatives Recommendation, 1971 (No. 143)

5.2.3

Management provides worker representatives reasonable paid time off from work to carry out their representation functions and attend meetings.
Where needed, management provides the worker representatives with reasonable facilities including meeting space, means of communication and childcare.
Management gives worker organization and/or trade union access to a notice board to communicate information about their activities.
Management establishes genuine dialogue with freely chosen workers’ representatives to collectively raise and address working conditions and terms of employment.
Management keeps records of the minutes from meetings with worker organizations and/or trade unions.

ILO Workers’ Representatives Convention, 1971 (No. 135)
ILO Workers Representatives Recommendation, 1971 (No. 143)

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5.3 WAGES AND CONTRACTS
5.3.1

Permanent and temporary workers who are employed for three consecutive months or longer have a written employment contract signed by both parties. The worker receives a copyof the contract at the time of signing. Permanent and temporary workers employed for fewer than three months must have at lea st verbal contracts in place.
Verbal instead of written contracts are acceptable only if they create legally binding employment relationships under applicable law. The employer keeps records of verbal contracts
that include all terms listed below and inform workers of these terms.
Written/verbal contracts include at minimum:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Job duties
Location of the job
Working hours
Pay rate and/or method of calculation
Overtime pay rate
Frequency or schedule of payment
Deductions, benefits provided such as in-kind benefits
Paid leave
Medical leave and protections in case of illness, disability or accident• Notice period (if any) for contract termination

5.3.2

Management does not engage in arrangements or practices designed to eliminate or reduce workers’ pay and/or benefits such as employing temporary workers forpermanent or ongoing tasks.

5.3.3

Workers receive at least the applicable minimum wage, or the wage negotiated in a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), whichever is higher. For production quota or
piece work, the payment must be at least the minimum wage, based on a 48-hour working week or national legal working hours limit whichever is lower.

5.3.5

Deductions from wages such as for social security are permitted only if provided by applicable law or CBA. Voluntary wage deductions such as advance payments, union
membership, or loans can only be made with written or verbal consent from the worker. Employer carries out these remittances fully and timely. Wage deductions as adisciplinary measure are not allowed. Deductions for work related to tools, equipment, or gear are not allowed unless those are permitted by applicable law.
In-kind benefits must be in accordance with applicable law; however, they cannot exceed 30% of the total remuneration.
ILO Protection of Wages Convention, 1949 (No. 95)
ILO Protection of Wages Recommendation, 1949 (No.85)

5.3.6

Workers are paid regularly at scheduled intervals, but at least monthly. Worker and employer both agree on the payment schedule.
Records are maintained, per worker, of hours worked (regular and overtime) and/or volume produced (if applicable), calculation of wages and deductions, and wages paid.
Workers are provided pay slips with each payment containing this information.
ILO Protection of Wages Convention, 1949 (No. 95)

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5.3 WAGES AND CONTRACTS
5.3.8

Work of equal value is remunerated with equal pay without discrimination e.g., on gender or type of worker, ethnicity, age, colour, religion, political opinion, nationality,
social origin or others.
ILO Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No.100)

5.3.9

If labour providers are used, management has a written contract and documented oversight mechanisms in place ensuring that the labour provider is:• Licensed or certified by the competent national authority, if applicable• Compliant with applicable legal requirements• Not engaged in fraudulent or coercive recruiting practices• Compliant with applicable worker related requirements 5.3 and 5.5 of this standard
All recruitment fees are paid by the management, not by workers.
ILO Private Employment Agencies Convention, 1997 (No.181)

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5.5 WORKING CONDITIONS
5.5.1

Workers do not work more than eight regular working hours per day and 48 regular working hours per week. In addition, workers have at least a 30-minute break after
a maximum of six consecutive hours of work and are granted at least one full day of rest after a maximum of six consecutive days of work.
The regular work hours of guards do not exceed 56 hours per week on average per year.
ILO Hours of Work (Industry) Convention, 1919 (No. 1)
ILO Hours of Work (Commerce and Offices) Convention, 1930 (No. 30)

5.5.2

Overtime work is voluntary and only permitted if:
a)
b)
c)
d)
e)
f)
g)
h)

It is requested in a timely manner
It is paid according to applicable law or CBA, whichever is higher. If there is no law or CBA, it is paid at least 1.5 times the regular wage level.
The overtime work does not impose an increased health and safety risk. Incident rates during overtime periods are monitored and overtime is
reduced, if accident rates are higher during overtime work periods than during periods of regular work hours.
Workers have safe transport home after work*
The total working week does not exceed 60 hours per week. Exceptional circumstances only applicable for farms: see h)Workers have at least a 30-minute break after maximum six consecutive hours of work and have a minimum of 10 consecutive hours of rest per 24-hour period
A record of the number of regular hours and overtime hours of each worker is kept*
Applicable only to tea, coffee, bananas, fresh fruits, flowers farms and crops with a short harvest window up to six weeks: in exceptional circumstances, where there is arisk of losing harvest due to e.g., overproduction, damage to infrastructure, for a maximum period of 12 weeks per year, the overtime may be up to 24 hours total per week,
and workers may work a maximum of 21 consecutive days.

*In groups of small farms, this is not applicable to group member workers
ILO Hours of Work (Industry) Convention, 1919 (No. 1)
ILO Hours of Work (Commerce and Offices) Convention, 1930 (No. 30)
ILO Code of Practice on Safety and Health in Agriculture, 2010
International Labour Conference, 107th Session, General Study concerning
instruments on working time, 2018

5.5.3

Pregnant permanent workers are entitled to paid maternity leave in accordance with applicable law. In absence of applicable law, workers receive paid maternity leave of at least 12
weeks, of which at least six weeks being taken after birth. They receive maternity rights and benefits. They can return to their job after maternity leave on the same terms andconditions and without discrimination, loss of seniority or deduction of wages.
Workers who are pregnant, nursing, or have recently given birth are offered flexible working schedules and work site arrangements. Breastfeeding women have two
additional 30-minute breaks per day and a space for breastfeeding to nurture the child.
This nursing space must be:• Functional for expressing milk (at a minimum, has a chair and a flat surface for pumping equipment, if needed)• Shielded from view
• Free from intrusion by the public and co-workers• Available whenever a mother needs to pump or express milk
• Not a toilet
ILO Maternity Protection Convention, 1952 (No. 183)

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5.6 HEALTH AND SAFETY
5.6.1

A competent professional conduct an analysis of the occupational health and safety risks. Corresponding health and safety measures are included in the management planand implemented, considering at least the following:• Risk analysis• Compliance with regulations• Training of workers• Procedures and equipment to ensure health and safety
The number and type of occupational health and safety incidents are recorded (specified for men and women) and include incidents related to agrochemicaluse. For groups of small farms this is done for their own facilities.
ILO Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155)

5.6.2

First aid boxes are available to workers for the treatment of work-related injuries, and emergency health care is provided free of charge including transport to andtreatment in a hospital.
The boxes are placed at the central locations of production, processing, and maintenance sites. For an emergency, appropriate measures, including showers and eyewashes,
are present at the relevant locations.
Trained first aid workers are present during working hours. The workers are informed where and to whom they should go to for first aid in case of an emergency.

5.6.4

Workers have access to sufficient and safe drinking water at all times through one of the following means:• A public drinking water system, or• Drinking water provided by the management, compliant with drinking water parameters as set by applicable law or the WHO, based on regular testing at least
preceding each Rainforest Alliance certification audit and any time that water contamination risks have occurred or been identified
Drinking water sources are protected and water distribution mechanisms are maintained to avoid contamination.
Drinking water stored in jars and containers is protected against contamination by a lid and is replaced by fresh drinking wa ter at least every 24 hours.

5.6.7

Sufficient, clean, and functioning toilets and handwashing stations are provided in or close by agricultural production, processing, maintenance, office sites, and workers’
housing.
Facilities are divided by gender in the case of 10 or more workers. Urinals are separated from toilets used by females. Safety and privacy of vulnerable groups are
ensured, by at least well-lit and lockable facilities. Workers are allowed to frequent these facilities when needed.

5.6.8

Workers receive information on health topics, medical leave policies and availability of primary, maternal and reproductive health services in the community.

5.6.9

Persons that work in hazardous situations (e.g., under challenging terrains, with machines, or with hazardous materials) use appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
These persons are trained in the use of the PPE and have access to the PPE free of charge.

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5.6 HEALTH AND SAFETY
5.6.10 All tools used by the workers are in good working condition.
Machines have clear instructions on safe usage that can be understood by the workers, and dangerous parts are guarded or encased. Workers using such machines
are appropriately trained, and if required by law, workers operating machinery have the applicable licenses.
Machinery and other equipment are stored safely when not in use.

5.6.11

Female workers who are pregnant, nursing, or have recently given birth are not assigned to activities that pose a risk to the woman’s, unborn child’s, or infant’s health. In cases ofjob reassignment, there is no reduction in remuneration. No pregnancy tests are requested.

5.6.12 Workers may leave situations with imminent danger without seeking employer’s permission and without being penalized.
5.6.13 Workshops, storage areas, and processing facilities are safe, clean, with sufficient light and ventilation.
A clear and written accident and emergency procedure is in place. It includes marked fire exits, evacuation maps, at least one emergency drill per year.
Management informs workers about this procedure.
There is firefighting equipment and equipment to remediate spillage of materials. Workers are trained on how to use thisequipment. Only authorized personnel have access to workshops, storage, or processing facilities.

5.6.14 Workers in workshops, storage and processing facilities have clean and safe eating spaces that provide protection against sun and rain. Workers in the field can have their meal
protected from sun and rain.

5.6.15Workers receive basic training on occupational health, safety, and hygiene and related instructions are visibly displayed at central locations.

5.6.16 Workers who regularly handle hazardous agrochemicals receive a medical examination at least once a year. In case of regular exposure to organophosphates or carbamate
pesticides, the examination includes cholinesterase testing. Workers have access to the results of their medical examination.

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CHAPTER 6ENVIRONMENT

Agricultural activities can have positiveor negative effects on the naturalenvironment, depending on how they
are managed. The environmental
chapter outlines pathways for certified
organizations to have a positive impact
on the planet. As there areenvironmental risks beyond just thescope of the farm, requirements apply
also to supply chain actors that are
identified as presenting a high risk forcertain environmental topics,
wastewater management as of now.
Once again, the Rainforest Alliancerecognizes that certification fits into alarger picture of landscapeconservation, where multiple
strategies are needed to create
lasting impact for biodiversity andplanet. The content of this chapter isthe starting point from which certified
organizations can support this goal.
With a longer time- frame in mind,
other relevant environ- mental topics
will be gradually introduced to the
supply chain requirements.

6.6 WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT
6.6.1

Tests for processing wastewater are conducted at all discharge points during the representative period(s) of operation, and results are documented.
For farm groups, this is done at all group-managed (collective) processing facilities and at a representative sample of member processing operations including
the different types of treatment systems.
Wastewater from processing operations discharged into aquatic ecosystems meets legal wastewater quality parameters. In absence of these, it meets the wastewater parameters.
Wastewater from processing operations may not be mixed with clean water to meet the parameters.

6.6.2

Human sewage, sludge, and sewage water is not used for production and/or processing activities.
Sewage is not discharged into aquatic ecosystems unless it has been treated.
Not applicable to small farms:
Treated discharge is demonstrated to meet legal wastewater quality parameters or, in the absence of these, the wastewater parameters.

6.6.3

Wastewater from processing operations is not applied to land unless it has undergone treatment to remove particulates and toxins.
If treated wastewater is used for irrigation, in addition to the wastewater parameters, it must comply with the wastewater parameters for irrigation.

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