Yes, there is. Coffee farmers who work with different standards can face multiple audits. These multiple audits or verifications can mean farmers incur extra costs, and have to put in extra effort.
To reduce the burden and maximise the benefits for coffee farmers, the 4C Association has joined forces with other initiatives to benchmark its standards.
In 2008, the standards and systems of the 4C Association and the Rainforest Alliance were benchmarked. The International Social and Environmental Accreditation and Labelling Alliance (ISEAL), together with the Institute for Marketecology (IMO), designed the benchmarking process. The 4C Association is currently in dialogue on this subject with several other schemes that share similar goals.
Since the 4C Code of Conduct is a baseline standard, benchmarking with the Rainforest Alliance’s Sustainable Agriculture Network (SAN) standard is non-reciprocal. This means that holders of the Rainforest Alliance Certificate may apply for a 4C License without additional costs or verification procedures, whereas 4C License holders need to step up to SAN standards in order to obtain the Rainforest Alliance Certificate.
Benchmarking means that holders of both the Rainforest Alliance Certificate and the 4C License have full access to the growing market of 4C Compliant Coffee. This offers better marketing opportunities for producers who do not sell their entire production to a specific scheme. Benchmarking with other standards helps to reduce verification costs and efforts. Therefore, benchmarking is a milestone on the path towards sector-wide sustainability and clear improvements in farmers’ livelihoods.
