Benefitting coffee producers

A multitude of standards with different focus (quality, environment, social conditions for producers and workers, etc.) are active on the global coffee market. Thanks to this phenomenon, the awareness for sustainability is constantly growing.



At the same time coffee producers wanting to implement different standards are being burdened by multiple audits associated with more costs and efforts, even when in many cases, requirements of different standards overlap to a great extent.

 
 

The 4C Code of Conduct is a baseline standard for the sustainable coffee supply chain and therefore positions itself as a stepping stone towards more demanding systems. On the other hand, it has proved to be working well the other way round, too. Already certified producers (groups) can apply for the 4C License without having to go through the entire 4C Verification Process. This aims to help those certified producers (groups) reduce multiple audits when wishing to increase their market access through the 4C Coffee Supply Chain.

This can be achieved through benchmarking initiatives that the 4C Association has engaged in and is open to.

By mid of 2008 the systems of the 4C Association and the Rainforest Alliance had been benchmarked and the first Rainforest Alliance certificate holder reaped the benefits of this benchmarking initiative in autumn 2008.

The 4C Association is in dialogue with several other schemes who share the same vision with regard to ultimately benefiting the coffee producers through the benchmarking process.

 
 

Additional Information
  • Background Information Rainforest Alliance / 4C Benchmarking
  • Application Procedure
  • Benchmarking Process explains details about the process itself