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Our new EUDR Data Sharing Policy is here – please access it via this link.
Title: | Rainforest Alliance Policy: Alignment with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) |
Code: | A-26-SRCL-B-FA |
Version: | 2.0 |
Applies to: | Cocoa and Coffee Farm Certificate Holders |
Enforceability: | Binding content |
Effective by: | June 16th, 2025 |
Expires by: | Until further notice |
Published on: | May 16th, 2025 |
Linked to | SA-S-SD-1-V1.3 Rainforest Alliance Sustainable Agriculture Standard, Farm Requirements. SA-P-GA-33-V2.0 EUDR Data Sharing Policy |
Replaces: |
What is this document about?
This document outlines the requirements, rules and procedures to align prospective and current Rainforest Alliance cocoa and coffee Certificate Holders with the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) to support them and their affiliated Supply Chain actors in maintaining access to the European Union market.
When and how to use this document?
This policy is for current and prospective cocoa and coffee Certificate Holders to prepare to be evaluated against the EUDR-aligned requirements during their Rainforest Alliance audit.
Compliance with these requirements verifies them as EUDR aligned and includes them in the list of EUDR Aligned Certificate Holders on the Rainforest Alliance website.
Changes in update from v1.2 to v2.0
Section | What has changed |
1. Introduction | Updated deadline for requirements to be met by December 30th, 2025, according to EUDR compliance extension. |
1. Introduction | Changed from five EUDR self-selected requirements to EUDR-aligned requirements applicable to all cocoa and coffee Certificate Holders. Prospective and current Certificate Holders will be evaluated against these requirements. |
3. Rules for EUDR Alignment | New section to include instructions on how to add the EUDR-aligned requirements to the certification scope. Clarification on Certification Rules that EUDR-aligned requirements have no impact on certification decisions and how to secure verification for EUDR alignment. |
1. Introduction
The European Union (EU) has introduced the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which includes requirements on deforestation for a range of products that are imported into the EU. The requirements of the EUDR need to be met by December 30, 2025. The EUDR currently covers Rainforest Alliance Certified cocoa, coffee and relevant derivatives.
The Rainforest Alliance has set up systems to support producers and supply chain actors to meet the requirements of the EUDR. Alongside the Rainforest Alliance's standard requirements, which are already aligned with the EUDR, five additional EUDR-aligned requirements have been introduced to cover aspects of the EUDR that were not fully covered. These requirements are only applicable to coffee and cocoa Farm Certificate Holders. Additionally, Farm Certificate Holders aligned with the EUDR requirements cannot make use of any of the Minor Conversion provisions outlined in Annex Chapter 6: Environment.
Prospective and existing Farm Certificate Holders producing cocoa and/or coffee will be evaluated on the additional EUDR-aligned requirements. This will provide the necessary support to actors further down their supply chains to comply with the EUDR and maintain access to the EU market.
2. Requirements for Farms
The EUDR-aligned requirements apply to all cocoa and coffee certified farms. For group certification, group management is responsible for ensuring that all group members, whether small or large farms, comply with these requirements.
The EUDR-aligned requirements are:
No. | Additional Requirements | Group Certification | Ind. Cert. | ||
Small farms | Large farms | Group management | S/L | ||
EUDR1 | Polygons are available for farm units 4ha and above producing the EUDR relevant commodity. All other farm units used in producing the EUDR relevant commodity have at least a geolocation point. |
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EUDR2 | Geolocation data for both points and polygons must have 6 decimals. |
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EUDR3 | Management implements measures to prevent and address potential cases of corruption (including bribery and extortion), fraud and nepotism by: |
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Management shows evidence of payment of all applicable taxes associated with the area of production as prescribed by local laws and regulations. |
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EUDR5 | Forests have not been converted into agricultural production or other land uses after December 31st, 2020. |
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3. Rules for EUDR Alignment
Certificate Holders must confirm their scope in the Rainforest Alliance Certification Platform. Those who have already confirmed must reconfirm to access EUDR-aligned requirements and for Certification Bodies to view and use the updated audit checklist.
EUDR-aligned requirements are distinct from the Rainforest Alliance Standards’ requirements and do not affect the certification decision for the Standards. The Certificate Holder must resolve all non-conformities related to the EUDR-aligned requirements to secure verification for EUDR alignment. This enables them to make additional claims regarding these EUDR-aligned requirements and be included in the list of EUDR Aligned Certificate Holders on the Rainforest Alliance website. This list serves as a public resource for downstream Supply Chain actors to identify suppliers that meet the additional EUDR-aligned requirements from this policy.
4. Data sharing
Rainforest Alliance may share information regarding compliance with the above requirements, including geolocation data and deforestation risk assessments, under the EUDR Data Sharing Policy.
Other information
Date of first publication of this document (v 1.0): December 20th, 2023.
Documents indicated as “binding” must be complied with for certification. Documents indicated as “non-binding” provide non-mandatory information to help readers understand and implement requirements and other binding content.
Translation Disclaimer
For any question related to the precise meaning of the information in a translation, consult the official English version for clarification. Any errors or differences in meaning due to translation are not binding and have no effect for auditing or certification purposes.
Reproduction, modification, distribution, or republication of this content is strictly forbidden without prior written consent from Rainforest Alliance.
More information?
For help in obtaining a Rainforest Alliance certificate reach out to our Customer Success team at customersuccess@ra.org
For more information about Rainforest Alliance, visit http://www.rainforest-alliance.org contact info@ra.org or the Rainforest Alliance Amsterdam Office, De Ruijterkade 6, 1013AA Amsterdam, The Netherlands.