Policy for Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana: Exceptional Use Policy

What is this document about?

This document establishes the granted exception and its conditions for the temporary use of Imidacloprid, Abamectin, Chlorpyrifos, and Glufosinate Ammonium in cocoa production in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, in accordance with the Rainforest Alliance Exceptional Use Policy (EUP).

It defines the scope, duration, justification, and strict conditions under which these Rainforest Alliance prohibited pesticides may be used as a last resort when pest or weed pressure exceeds economic thresholds and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) measures alone are insufficient to prevent significant productivity and economic losses.

The document outlines:

• authorized uses, target pests and weeds, and application parameters;

• mandatory risk mitigation measures to protect human health, pollinators, beneficial insects, water, and ecosystems;

• monitoring, record-keeping, reporting, and audit requirements; and

• obligations for Certificate Holders to actively transition toward lower-risk and IPM-compatible alternatives during the exception period.

This exception is temporary, strictly controlled, and non-precedential, and is intended to support crop protection while accelerating the phase-out of Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) in cocoa systems.

When and how to use this document?

This document must be used by Certificate Holders (CHs), Certification Bodies (CBs), and Rainforest Alliance staff involved in the implementation, verification, or oversight of pesticide use in certified cocoa farms in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana.

It should be consulted when:

• Implementing the authorized temporary use of Imidacloprid, Abamectin, Chlorpyrifos, and Glufosinate Ammonium under the conditions defined in this exception.

• Planning, evaluating, or auditing compliance with Integrated Pest Management (IPM) requirements and pesticide risk mitigation measures under the Rainforest Alliance Sustainable Agriculture Standard, the Regenerative Agriculture Standard, and the Farming Annex.

• Verifying application records, inventory management, training evidence, mitigation measures, and reporting obligations during internal inspections or certification audits.

• Supporting the identification, testing, and documentation of lower-toxicity alternatives and progressive phase-out strategies during the exception period.

• Reviewing audit reports and certification decisions related to the application of this Exceptional Use Policy.

This document complements the Rainforest Alliance Standards and the EUP by providing crop-, country-, and substance-specific guidance to ensure that any exceptional use is justified, time-bound, and aligned with continuous improvement toward safer and more sustainable pest management practices.

1. Introduction

Rainforest Alliance works to create a more sustainable world by harnessing social and market forces to protect nature and improve the lives of farmers and forest communities.

In Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana, Imidacloprid, Abamectin, Chlorpyrifos, and Glufosinate Ammonium has historically been used in cocoa cultivation to control major pests that affect bean productivity and quality, including:

• Cocoa capsid (Distantiella theobroma)

• Mirids (Sahlbergella singularis)

• Tea mosquito bug (Helopeltis spp.)

• White grubs (Phyllophaga spp.)

• Weeds

These active ingredients have been used to keep infestations under control, particularly in areas with high pest pressure. However, due to their high toxicity to beneficial insects, pollinators, aquatic organisms, and/or human health, Rainforest Alliance has included Imidacloprid, Abamectin, Chlorpyrifos, and Glufosinate Ammonium on its list of prohibited pesticides.

It is important to note that the use of these substances in cocoa in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana is not due to the absence of available technical alternatives, but rather to deeply rooted local agricultural practices and, in some cases, the fact that producers obtain this active ingredient at significantly lower cost or even fully subsidized through local programs. This situation reinforces the need to establish a strictly regulated temporary exception, allowing crop protection while promoting the gradual adoption of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) practices and lower-risk alternatives.

This policy establishes a temporary and strictly controlled exception intended to allow producers to protect their crops while identifying viable, lower-risk alternatives, always within the IPM framework and in compliance with the risk mitigation measures defined in the EUP.

2. Validity of the Exception

This temporary authorization for the use of Imidacloprid, Abamectin, Chlorpyrifos, and Glufosinate Ammonium in cocoa in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana will be valid for one (1) year from the publication date of this document. After this period, any further use will require a review of conditions or the adoption of lower-risk alternatives, in accordance with Rainforest Alliance’s Exceptional Use Policy (EUP)^[1], ^[2].

3. Justification and Application of the Exception

Most cocoa pests can be managed through IPM practices and proper plantation management. Pesticides—especially Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs) such as Imidacloprid, Abamectin, Chlorpyrifos, and Glufosinate Ammonium—should only be used as a last resort.

However, incomplete implementation of these practices can result in infestations exceeding economic thresholds, particularly during periods of high pest pressure, making the use of the authorized active ingredients  (Imidacloprid, Abamectin, Chlorpyrifos, and Glufosinate Ammonium) necessary to protect productivity and prevent economic losses.

4. Quantitative pest threshold criteria:

• Cocoa capsid: >5–10 insects per tree in commercial plantations

• Mirids: >2–3 insects per tree

• Tea mosquito bug: >1–2 insects per tree

• White grubs: >10% of roots damaged in the plot

• Weeds (broadleaf and grasses): weed cover exceeding 30% of the plot area or when competition visibly affects cocoa seedling growth and yield

Therefore, Rainforest Alliance grants a limited and temporary exception, provided that all risk mitigation measures are strictly observed.

During the exception period, certificate holders must:

1. Implement alternative practices on at least 25% of the cultivated area to replace the use of the authorized active ingredients (Imidacloprid, Abamectin, Chlorpyrifos, and Glufosinate Ammonium).

2. Seek technical advice, exchange knowledge with producers who have successfully phased out the product and actively identify IPM-compatible alternatives.

3. Collect and share data on the implementation of these practices with Rainforest Alliance.

The application of the authorized active ingredients (Imidacloprid, Abamectin, Chlorpyrifos, and Glufosinate Ammonium) must be carried out as precisely and efficiently as possible, minimizing risks of soil, water, and non-target ecosystem contamination.

5. Target Pests

• Cocoa capsid (Distantiella theobroma)

• Mirids (Sahlbergella singularis)

• Tea mosquito bug (Helopeltis spp.)

• White grubs (Phyllophaga spp.)

6. Target Weeds:

• Broadleaf weeds: Ageratum conyzoides, Bidens pilosa, Borreria alata, Euphorbia heterophylla

• Grasses: Echinochloa spp., Eleusine indica, Panicum maximum, Imperata cylindrica

• Sedges: Cyperus rotundus, Cyperus esculentus

7. Authorized Dosage and Application Methods

Authorized formulation: Concentrations officially registered for use in cocoa for each active ingredient.

• Method:

  • Insecticides (Imidacloprid, Abamectin, Chlorpyrifos): Foliar application only; soil application is prohibited.

  • Herbicides (Glufosinate Ammonium): Directed spray to the base of cocoa trees, avoiding contact with stems, leaves, and exposed roots.

• Maximum frequency: Two (2) applications per crop cycle, depending on pest or weed pressure and monitoring results.

• Time of application:

  • For insecticides: Late afternoon or night (after 18:00) to protect pollinators.

  • For herbicides: Early morning or late afternoon under calm weather conditions to minimize drift.

• Buffer zones: Applications must maintain a minimum buffer of 10 meters from water bodies and 5 meters from natural vegetation strips.

• Equipment calibration: All spraying equipment must be calibrated to ensure accurate dosage and minimize over-application or runoff.

8. Implementation considerations

Implementation of the risk management measures described below shall consider the scale, context, and operational capacity of smallholder producers, while ensuring that core risk mitigation objectives are effectively met.

General Risk management requirements for substances with acute & chronic toxicity (EUP 3.2):

1. Women under 50 years old do not apply these pesticides and are not present or near the application areas.

2. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is used as prescribed in the product’s label Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). If labels do not provide details of PPE for applicators, basic protective clothing with protection for eyes (i.e. a face mask or goggles) and respiratory protection (i.e. a respirator) are worn.

3. Restricted Entry Intervals (REI) as stipulated in the product’s MSDS, label or security tag are implemented, for protecting persons entering pesticide applied areas without PPE. When two or more products with different REIs are used at the same time, the longest interval applies.

4. Daily maximum application time for applicators is limited to eight hours, two shifts of four hours maximum each, with bathing in between application periods to wash off residues, and clean PPE clothing for each shift. Application is conducted during the coolest hours of the day.

5. Potentially affected persons or communities are identified and alerted in advance of application. Explicit flags or signs are used to identify treated fields, and access to treated fields is prevented.

General Risk Management Requirements for Substances with Severe Effects (Toxic to Pollinators) (EUP 3.3):

1. Producers shall not apply these substances to flowering crops and must avoid drift onto flowering weeds or cover crops attractive to beneficial insects (natural enemies and pollinators).

2. Beneficial insects shall be monitored, and application timing defined based on monitoring results.

3. Applications shall be avoided during periods of highest pollinator activity.

4. Substances shall preferably be applied in the afternoon or at night, from 18:00 onward.

5. If hives are used for pollination, they must be temporarily covered during chemical application.

6. Hives must have access to a clean water source outside the treated area.

7. Soil cover (cover crops, mulch, crop residues, etc.) shall be maximized to reduce contact and leaching into groundwater. Not applicable for drench applications.

8. Strips of native flowering vegetation shall be planted outside or along crop borders to provide food and refuge for beneficial insects and promote a more stable agroecosystem.

9. General EUP Conditions

1. No precedent: This temporary authorization is specific to the use of Imidacloprid, Abamectin, Chlorpyrifos, and Glufosinate Ammonium in cocoa in Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana for the defined period and shall not be interpreted as a general or future authorization for other products, crops, or regions.

2. Mandatory compliance: The use of the authorized active ingredients (Imidacloprid, Abamectin, Chlorpyrifos, and Glufosinate Ammonium) under this exception constitutes a nonconformity if any mitigation, management, monitoring, or record keeping condition defined in the EUP or this document is not met.

3. Responsibility: Compliance lies directly with the Certificate Holder (CH).

4. Duration and validity: This authorization is valid exclusively for the period indicated on the cover page of this policy. Any use outside this period is strictly prohibited. Any purchase after the expiration date is not authorized. After expiration, products may not be applied and must be safely stored managed, and disposed of in accordance with national regulations.

5. Monitoring and traceability: All applications of the authorized active ingredients under this policy (Imidacloprid, Abamectin, Chlorpyrifos, and Glufosinate Ammonium) must be recorded, documenting date, time, dose, treated area, target pest, and weather conditions (e.g. sunny or rainy). Evidence of pest presence must support the timing and need for the application. Records must be available for audit.

6. Inventory management: Inventory control must ensure that no application occurs after the authorization period. Any remaining stock must be securely stored, managed and disposed of in compliance with applicable national regulations.

7. Mitigation measures: Compliance with all mitigation measures in EUP section 3.3 for pollinator and beneficial insect toxicity.

8. Training and worker support: All personnel involved in application must receive specific training on product risks, mitigation measures, PPE, application procedures, and first aid. Evidence of such training must be kept in farm and/or Certificate Holder (CH) records.

9. Reporting to the Certification Body (CB): The CH must inform the CB during the audit that this Exceptional Use Policy was applied, maintaining complete records for all authorized active ingredients (Imidacloprid, Abamectin, Chlorpyrifos, and Glufosinate Ammonium) , management plans, mitigation measures. Any major deviation must be reported immediately.

10. Phase-out and alternatives: The exception is temporary while viable, lower-toxicity alternatives are identified. Trials and results of alternative products must be documented and reported to Rainforest Alliance.

11. Audits and follow-up: Auditors will verify compliance with all exception conditions during audits and record findings under requirements 4.6.1 and 4.6.2. Noncompliance may affect certification status.

12. Audit report review: During the certification process review, Rainforest Alliance’s Assurance team will verify that the information provided by the CB meets this policy’s requirements. If the requirements are not met, Rainforest Alliance reserves the right to request the CB to cancel the CH’s certificate.

10. Communication and Coordination with Third Parties

• Inform neighboring farms, cooperatives, about the use of Imidacloprid, Abamectin, Chlorpyrifos, and Glufosinate Ammonium to reduce drift risks.

• Keep records of communication and preventive measures adopted.

11. Effectiveness Monitoring Plan

• Where available, summarize observed pest control outcomes following applications.

• Share aggregated observations with Rainforest Alliance to support the transition toward alternatives.

12. Product Replacement Support Phase

1. Workshops and training on technical and less toxic alternatives.

2. Evaluation of feasible lower-toxicity products that could replace Imidacloprid, Abamectin, Chlorpyrifos, and Glufosinate Ammonium.

3. Monitoring compliance with mitigation measures and IPM strategy.

13. Contact

For inquiries, contact the Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana certification teams at customersuccess@ra.org or the IPM team at ipm@ra.org.

Other information

Date of first publication of this document (v 1.0): 30 January 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

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Footnotes

1. https://www.icco.org/icco-documentation/pesticide-use-in-cocoa-practial-manual-fourth-edition/ ↑

2. Exceptional Use Policy: Granted Exceptions and their Conditions for Using Rainforest Alliance Prohibited Pesticides | Rainforest Alliance ↑