Policy: Traceability Extension for System Transition v1.0

This document will become binding as of August 1^st, 2026.

What is this document about?

This policy provides an extension for Certificate Holders working with multi-crop products (as defined below) to perform traceability in the Rainforest Alliance Online Traceability Platform.

When and how to use this document?

This document outlines the extension that is in place and should be used by Certificate Holders and Certification Bodies for compliance with the Traceability Requirements of the Rainforest Alliance Supply Chain Requirements.

1. Traceability Extension

As we transition crops and Certificate Holders to the new Rainforest Alliance Traceability Platform, an extension will need to be in place to support CHs to perform online traceability per the Rainforest Alliance Supply Chain Requirements. The exception outlined below is applicable for all certified crops where multi-crop products are created.

1.1 Definitions and Scope

Throughout the transition to the new Rainforest Alliance Traceability Platform, there will be multi-crop products (as defined below) where one crop has transitioned to the new platform, and another has not. In this case, the extension below applies for those CHs operating in those multi-crop products.

Multi-crop product: In the context of transitioning to a new traceability system, it is important to consider certificate holders whose products contain multiple crops, where more than one ingredient is Rainforest Alliance Certified. (example: Chocolate-hazelnut spread containing Rainforest Alliance Certified cocoa and hazelnuts) 

1.2 Traceability Requirements 2.2.1 Traceability in the Online Platform

Requirement 2.2.1 outlines that online traceability activities must be performed “within two weeks after the end of the quarter in which the activity took place”. For CHs in the scope of this exception they are granted an extension to this deadline and the terms for the two scenarios are outlined below.

1.2.1 CHs selling/receiving multi-crop products (including existing stocks)

Traceability activities (receiving, selling, redeeming, or manufacturing) should only be carried out in the new platform once all crops from the multi-crop product have been migrated to the new platform.​

1.2.2 CHs creating multi-crop products

Prior to both crops being in the new traceability platform, only confirm incoming volumes in the individual platforms and should not perform any other traceability activities including, selling, redeeming, manufacturing, etc..

Once Rainforest Alliance has communicated that both crops the CH is using are in the new Rainforest Alliance Traceability Platform, online traceability requirements apply and the CH will need to retroactively comply with those requirements by performing the relevant activities.

Note: This applies only to CHs that are required to create a multi-ingredient in the online traceability platform. If a CH marks the end of traceability, the CH should remove or redeem the single-ingredients as usual.

Other information

Date of first publication of this document (v 1.0): 16^th of June 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.