The Structure of the 4C Association
The 4C Association builds on a participatory decision making process. The structure enables a credible consensus building and encourages a democratic and transparent discussion. The main element of the governance process is the tripartite structure consisting of coffee producers, coffee trade and industry and civil society organizations.
The structure
- Statutes 4C Association
Members’ commitment and communication
4C Members do commit to support the 4C Sustainability Approach according to different objectives, to make continuous improvement along the entire coffee chain happen. The Rules of Participation define the commitment of 4C’s trade and industry members and the Communication Guidelines set the framework how all members may communicate about their engagement for 4C Association.
Rules & Communication Guidelines
- Rules of Participation for Trade and Industry
- Communication Guidelines
Main organs of the 4C Association:
The General Assembly
The General Assembly is set up by all members and is the supreme authority of the 4C Association. It consists of a producers chamber, a trade and industry chamber and a civil society chamber. If possible, the decisions are taken in consensus.
The General Assembly
- By-laws General Assembly
The Council
The Council of the Association is elected by the General Assembly and is the representative decision making body. It consists of 17 ordinary members in the three chambers, with the strongest representation for the producers' group.
The Council
- By-laws Council
The Executive Board
The five members of the Executive Board are elected by the Council. Members are one representative for each of the chambers plus the Chairperson of the Technical Committee and the President of the Mediation Board.
The Executive Board
- By-laws Executive Board
The Technical Committee
The Technical Committee is mandated by the Council. Its main task is to recommend modifications and revisions of the 4C Code. In parallel it is responsible for assessing the conceptual quality and impact of 4C Services such as tools, technical documents and capacity development activities.
The Technical Committee
- By-laws Technical Committee
The Mediation Board
The Mediation Board will settle disputes arising from the interpretation of or the failure to respect the Statutes of the 4C Association, its Rules of Participation and the 4C Code itself.
The Mediation Board
- By-laws Mediation Board