The 4C Association is a multi-stakeholder membership association with a transparent and participatory decision making structure.
It consists of three chambers: coffee farmers, coffee trade and industry and civil society (including NGOs and trade unions). All three chambers have the same rights in the decision-making processes. The statutes and respective by laws also treat all three chambers equally.
This tripartite structure is a core element of all the 4C Association’s organs, the Council, the Executive Board, the Mediation Board and the Technical Committee.
All members meet every three years for the General Assembly, to decide on fundamental issues and to elect the Council. The Council meets at least once a year to decide on strategic issues, priority activities and budget. The Council also elects the Executive Board, the Technical Committee and the Mediation Board for a term of three years. The Executive Board meets once a month and decides on political and important operational issues of the 4C Secretariat.
For more information on the 4C Assocation's governance structure, visit the section our governance.
Yes. The structure of the Council is biased in favour of the coffee farmers. All members meet once every three years at the General Assembly. The General Assembly is the highest decision making body of the Association. At the meeting, the General Assembly elects a Council to steer the strategy of the 4C Association. The Council strengthens the participation of farmers, as it allows them seven seats, compared to just five seats each for trade/industry and civil society.
Roasters receive a license number, or a copy of the license of the 4C Unit, with the shipping documents or the contract so they can prove they have bought 4C Compliant Coffee.
At the end of every coffee year, all final buyers, for example roasters, soluble coffee manufacturers and retailers with private label coffees, report confidentially on the volumes purchased and received during that year. The 4C Secretariat makes aggregated figures available to its members and the public.
