The 4C Association at a glance
The 4C Association is based on a voluntary Code of Conduct comprising basic social, environmental and economic practices in coffee production, processing and trading. The 4C Code is designed to trigger a process of continuous improvement towards increasing sustainability. Actors who don't exclude Unacceptable Practices, as defined in the 4C Code of Conduct, cannot be members of the Association.4C aims at improving producers' income and living conditions through cost reductions, quality improvements, optimisation of the supply chain, improved marketing conditions and better access to markets and credits. It also promotes environmental sustainability, for example through reducing the use of hazardous agrochemicals, and protecting tropical rainforests. An independent third party verification will check the process on an aggregated level, emphasizing the responsibility of actors along the chain.
In order to achieve its objectives, 4C offers support services to coffee producers. A support network provides access to training programmes, promotes good agricultural and management practices, facilitates information exchange, and strengthens the self-organisation of farmers.
Upon joining, trade and industry members sign a set of Rules of Participation under which they commit themselves to buying increasing amounts of 4C coffee over time, cover the verification costs of producers with their membership fees. An additional part of their membership fee is used to build up 4C support services. Members report back on their activities and adhere to the communication guidelines, ensuring that the sustainability approach is properly communicated. 4C will not use a logo or seal on coffee packs.
4C Essentials
- Discover the heart of the 4C Association!
The vision of the 4C Association
The vision of the 4C Association is that the 4C Association will be recognized by the coffee sector as the first step towards a more sustainable and transparent worldwide coffee community.The mission of the 4C Association
The 4C Association is an inclusive membership driven organization of coffee farmers, trade and industry and civil society.Members work jointly towards improving economic, social and environmental conditions through more sustainable and transparent practices for all who make a living in the coffee sector.
The 4C Members
4C is a membership-based organization integrated by three chambers representing Civil Society, Producers and Trade and Industry’s interests. The highest decision making body is the General Assembly which meets every three years to set up the strategic development of the Association and elect 17 Council members. Council members meet twice per year to discuss 4C’s development and elect the Executive Board.4C Producer Members come from Colombia, Brazil, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Vietnam, Indonesia, Guatemala, Ivory Coast, Mexico, Ecuador and Zambia. Through their participation they reflect the different production systems (small producers, cooperatives and estates), coffee types (Arabica and Robusta) and interests.
4C Trade and Industry Members include small, medium and large trade houses, roasters and soluble manufacturers, representing a majority of mainstream coffee consumption.
4C Civil Society organizations are NGOs and unions such as Pesticide Action Network UK, and the Christian Initiative Romero, Oxfam International through Oxfam Novib, the International Union of Food and Agricultural Workers (IUF) and the Rainforest Alliance.