All CAN certification projects in all countries and for all crops abide by the following values and principles. The CAN believes that all agriculture has positive and negative effects and that every farm can be improved. True sustainability is a utopian goal that every farmer and agricultural company should work toward. The first steps are controlling environmental impacts, incorporating nature as an ally, building sustainability into the soil, creating a safe and wholesome workplace, and making the farm a good neighbor in the local community. The three sides of the Sustainable Agriculture triangle are Community, Cultivation Practices and Conservation.
Certification is a tool to promote progress in all three areas.
Certification should be seen as a process, not a goal. Farms in violation of the law cannot be certified. However, CAN scientists and farm evaluators do not represent the government and are not responsible for enforcing the law. CAN standards are often stricter than national laws. CAN certification is voluntary, and CAN standards are not a substitute for government regulations.