This binding document is currently valid, since September 27th, 2026. It will remain valid until further notice.
Title: | Rainforest Alliance Policy: Third-Party Verification Requirements for Certificate Holders with Level A Sites |
Code: | A-49-SRCL-B-SC |
Version: | 1.0 |
Applies to: | Supply Chain Certificate Holders and Certification Bodies |
Enforceability: | Binding content |
Effective by: | September 27th, 2026 |
Expires by: | Until further notice |
Published on: | September 28th, 2026 |
Linked to | A-17-SCRL-B-SC Certification and Auditing Rules for Supply Chain |
Replaces: | N/A |
What is this document about?
This policy introduces new assurance requirements for Certificate Holders (CHs) who have received verification Level A for one or more of the sites in their certification scope. Under this policy, CHs with Level A sites will transition from being issued Endorsement Letters by the Rainforest Alliance to undergoing remote audits conducted by third-party Certification Bodies (CBs). These CHs will be required to complete a remote audit by 31 December 2027 to maintain Rainforest Alliance certification.
In addition to supporting independent third-party verification, remote audits ensure robust assurance around certified volumes and claims. Remote audits corroborate online traceability reporting via volume summaries and related documentation.
NOTE: This policy does not fully override the Certification Rules and Auditing Rules for Supply Chain or the Rules for CBs. Instead, this policy highlights certain requirements and rules for an updated interpretation for both CHs and CBs. If a requirement is not explicitly mentioned here, CHs and CBs are expected to follow the current version of the rules.
When and how to use this document?
This policy shall be implemented by CHs with Level A sites in their scope, CBs, and Rainforest Alliance personnel during the transition from Endorsement Letters to remote audits resulting in CB issued certificates.
1. Transition from Endorsement to Remote Audits
1.1 Replacement of Endorsements
Certificate Holders who have received or will receive verification Level A for one or more of their sites through the Supply Chain Risk Assessment (SCRA) shall receive a remote audit through an authorized Certification Body once every three years. This change does not impact which CHs receive Level A, the scope of certification, or the applicable standard requirements.
NOTE: This policy also applies to CB audited CHs who have at least one Level A site in their scope.
1.2 Timeline for Implementation
Endorsement Letters for CHs in good standing, issued by Rainforest Alliance, will be set to expire on 31 December 2027. To maintain certification beyond this date, Level A CHs shall successfully complete a remote audit with an authorized CB in accordance with this policy.
Scenario | Applicable verification method | Certificate |
Existing Level A CH with Endorsement Letter (includes only level A single or multi-site) | Remote audit required by 31 December 2027 | Endorsement Letter will receive end date of 31 December 2027. |
Existing multi-site CH with Level A and B or C sites | Remote audit may be required based on sampling rules (as outlined in Audit Scope section below) | CB issued certificate will not change. |
New CH registration: receives verification Level A for one or more sites | Remote audit required prior to achieving certification. | If CH passes the audit, CB certificate issued |
Scope change: Site(s) no longer fall in Level A (now Level B or C) | Audit required per the audit frequency table in the Certification and Auditing Rules for Supply Chain | If CH passes the audit, CB certificate issued |
Scope change: Site(s) now falls into Level A (previously falls in Level B or C) | Remote audit will be required based on their certification dates (3 years from their last audit start date) | Certificate will not change |
2. Audit Process (Remote Audit)
A remote audit is a full scope certification audit conducted by an independent, third-party, authorized Certification Body not physically at the site(s) being audited. This can be conducted through virtual means, such as video calls, phone calls, etc.
An authorized CB shall only conduct audit and certification activities in countries for which it has approved scopes. If the CB is authorized to audit in a country in which the CH is located, but does not have auditors physically in that country, that is allowed under this policy and is in accordance with the Rules for Certification Bodies. For the purposes of this policy, approval to conduct Level A remote audits does not depend on the availability of local auditors or their familiarity with local context and cultural practices, as outlined in the geographical scope section of the Rules for Certification Bodies.
2.1 Audit Frequency and Duration
Certificate Holders with only Level A site(s) shall undergo a remote audit once every three years, with the first being completed by 31 December 2027.
Certificate Holders with Level A sites within a multi-site that also includes level B and/or C sites will now need to have the Level A sites sampled in accordance with the Certification and Auditing Rules for Supply Chain and may require a remote audit conducted by 31 December 2027.
The audit shall be conducted remotely by an authorized CB and have a maximum audit duration of 0.5 days and 0.75 days if social requirements (Chapter 4) are in scope.
2.2 Audit Scope
The remote audit shall assess compliance with all applicable Supply Chain Standard requirements. Certificate Holders with only Level A sites will no longer be required to complete their self-assessment annually.
Multi-site Sampling:
All Level A Sites:
Level A sites should be sampled for the remote audit as outlined in the Certification and Auditing Rules for Supply Chain.
Level A, B and/or C Sites:
If the Level A sites account for more than 25% of the total sites, then those Level A sites follow the sampling rules as outlined in the Certification and Auditing Rules for Supply Chain and a remote audit is required for compliance of those sites.
If the Level A sites account for 25% or less of the total sites, then no remote audit is required. At the time of the next audit due date, the Level A sites are to be included in determining the audit sample calculation and selection as outlined in the Certification and Auditing Rules for Supply Chain.
In both scenarios, the CH should follow the sampling rules as outlined in the Certification and Auditing Rules for Levels A, B and C sites within their scope for the next regularly scheduled audit.
NOTE: Certificate Holders with Level A sites can also be selected for surprise audits in the future. Requirements regarding surprise audits should be followed in accordance with the Certification and Auditing Rules for Supply Chain.
Other information
Date of first publication of this document (v 1.0): September 28th, 2026
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.