June 20 2024

Key updates

EUDR: New procedure to add EUDR to active license

A new procedure has come into effect to make it possible for a farm CH to add EUDR criteria to an active license. The procedure has been shared with CB’s Friday 14 June. It is preferred that a CH opts in to EUDR in advance rather than when the license is already active, so please always promote to opt-in in time!

We are pleased to share with you the Guidance on License review with EUDR requirements drafted by the Quality of Implementation team. Note the specific section on adding EUDR to an active license 

 In this guidance, you will find: 

• Timeline for NC closure of EUDR self-selected requirements 
• Potential scenarios when a CH with an active license wants to opt-in for EUDR self-selected requirements and steps needed to be followed in each scenario. 
• Overview of the license review process when a CB submits a license request with EUDR requirements. 

 Please reach out to cbcert@ra.org if you have any feedback/questions on the guidance. 

New procedure to submit, review and approve provisional licenses requests.

We have published a new procedure to CBs request provisional licenses, and for QoI teams review and approve these types of requests. The provisional licenses are related to the policy Measures to address shortages of Rainforest Alliance volumes and permits that the farm CHs can receive pre-authorization of 50% of the estimated volume during the certification process. All the steps involved in this new process are done directly through the RACP. The CBs can access the procedure directly in the knowledge hub Guidance for CBs - Provisional license.

For more information, please visit the Knowledge Hub: Guidance for CBs - Provisional license (rainforest-alliance.org)

For more information, please contact Claudia Medrano.

New HRDD E-course: Empowering Businesses on Human Rights 

The Rainforest Alliance launches a groundbreaking e-course on Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD). This comprehensive program equips businesses, especially producers, with practical guidance to identify, prevent, and address human rights risks in their supply chains. 

The interactive e-course features eight engaging videos covering crucial topics like child labor, forced labor, risk assessment, and grievance mechanisms. It goes beyond compliance, empowering businesses to create positive change and build a fairer world. 

Open to all, regardless of certification status, this e-course is designed for anyone committed to responsible practices. Gender equality is also thoughtfully integrated throughout the learning modules. 

Join an exclusive webinar on June 27th (GMT 10:00 or 14:00) to delve deeper. Register here Human Rights Learning Series - Rainforest Alliance to secure your spot! 

For more resources, visit our HRDD Hub on Confluence. For more information please reach out to Sara Monti.

Events

ISEAL Global Sustainability Symposium and Community Day

On the 13th and 14th, Santiago, Robbie and Brooke, joined the ISEAL Symposium and ISEAL Community Day in Baden, Switzerland to explore practical solutions to ensure that new due diligence and reporting regulations deliver benefits to both people and the planet.

On the first day, Santiago spoke on a panel about the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration, listening to producer needs, and investing in the continuous improvement journeys of producers. The following day, he delivered the keynote address about the need for:

• Greater collaboration among standard setting organizations and businesses
• Certification programs to deliver value to producers and the market
• Data ethics and centering farmers in data approaches

Robbie participated in two panel discussions where he focused on the importance of systemic solutions to tackle deforestation risk, the need for data collection and data sharing approaches to be producer-centric, and how the Rainforest Alliance certification program incorporates Risk Management and Due Diligence.

It was a great opportunity to meet with key stakeholders and fellow ISEAL members to discuss ways we can move forward in the face of changing regulatory requirements!

For more information, please reach out to Robbie or Brooke.

F2F CB Training in Vietnam by Quality of Implementation Asia team

From May 15-17, 2024, the annual CB F2F training was held in Vietnam, with 29 participants from 5 CBs in Vietnam. The training was led by My, with valuable support from Bui Tuan and Phuong Dao. The participants explored a range of crucial topics including EUDR, smart meters and indicator data, traceability, interviewing skills, and writing audit reports.

Training needs were identified through F2F meetings with CBs to share preferences for session design and activities, ensuring each session was tailored to their needs and making the training planning process more participatory. This collaborative approach contributed to the overall success of the training, leaving participants both informed and motivated. As a follow-up, a quarterly online meeting will be scheduled, opening the space for calibration, questions and concerns shared by the CBs.

Certification media coverage

Reuters speaks with our CEO, Santiago Gowland

Reuters held an exclusive interview Anne Laurence Rouche, Deputy CEO for Mirova, and Santiago Gowland, our very own CEO, about the agreement we have signed to scale up regenerative agriculture and sustainable land use projects across Latin America, Africa and Asia. Reuters reaches 35 million unique monthly web visitors on average.

CNN speaks with our Brasil Country Director, Yuri Feres

CNN Newsource interviewed Yuri Feres about climate change and plant diseases impacting orange juice production in Brazil. The interview aired on 200+ stations across the U.S. and on CNN International. CNN Newsource is the leading syndicated news service in North America, providing news content to +1K affiliated television stations.

Comunicaffe interviews our Coffee Sector Lead, Miguel Gamboa

Miguel Gamboa, Sector Lead for Coffee at the Rainforest Alliance, responded to several questions to clarify how our coffee certification program works at the source. Comunicaffe serves as a resource for professionals within the coffee sector, reaching about 60K visitors a month. 

For more information, contact Darla van Hoorn or the wider media team!

New content published