What is this document about?
This Terms of Reference (ToR) establishes the purpose, governance, membership, responsibilities, and operating procedures of the Rainforest Alliance Standards Committee. The Committee serves as an independent multi-stakeholder advisory body that provides strategic advice and oversight on the development, revision, and maintenance of Rainforest Alliance standards and standards-related documents.
When and how to use this document?
This ToR is intended for the initial establishment of the Rainforest Alliance Standards Committee. Consult this document when appointing or engaging with the Rainforest Alliance Standards Committee. It should be used alongside the Standards Development Procedure to support transparent, balanced, and credible standards development and revision processes.
1. Introduction
The Rainforest Alliance Standards Committee ("the Committee") is an independent multi-stakeholder advisory body established under the Rainforest Alliance Standards Development Procedure (SDP).
The Committee serves to strengthen the credibility, quality, transparency, and legitimacy of Rainforest Alliance standards and standards-related documents. Through balanced stakeholder representation, the Committee provides strategic advice on standards development and revision processes to the Rainforest Alliance leadership team and ensures that standards remain aligned with the Rainforest Alliance mission, stakeholder needs, and relevant good practice requirements, including the ISEAL Code of Good Practice for Sustainability Systems.
2. Functions and Responsibilities
The functions of the Committee include:
2.1 Strategic Recommendation and Advice
Providing strategic guidance on the development, revision, interpretation, and maintenance of Rainforest Alliance standards and where required standards-related documents.
Reviewing the rationale, scope, and intended outcomes of proposed standards and revisions.
Advising on emerging sustainability issues, regulatory developments, and stakeholder expectations relevant to the Rainforest Alliance certification system.
2.2 Review and Endorsement
Reviewing key outputs of the standards development process, including Terms of Reference, consultation outcomes, proposed revisions, and final standards.
Evaluating whether due process requirements established in the SDP have been followed.
Recommending standards and major revisions for approval, publication, or further revision as appropriate.
2.3 Review and Endorsement
Reviewing key outputs of the standards development process, including Terms of Reference, consultation outcomes, proposed revisions, and final standards.
Evaluating whether due process requirements established in the SDP have been followed.
Recommending standards and major revisions for approval, publication, or further revision as appropriate.
2.4 Stakeholder Representation
Bringing the perspectives of stakeholder groups into standards development discussions.
Supporting the balanced consideration of environmental, social, economic, assurance, producer, and market perspectives.
Promoting transparency, inclusiveness, and accountability throughout standards development activities.
2.5 Quality Assurance
Assessing whether proposed standards are practical, auditable, implementable, and aligned with intended sustainability outcomes.
Identifying potential risks, unintended consequences, or implementation challenges associated with proposed standards or revisions.
Advising on priorities for future standards development and review activities.
3. Rights and Obligations of the Standards Committee
3.1 Rights
Members of the Standards Committee have the right to:
Receive timely and adequate information necessary to perform their functions.
Review and provide input on documents and proposals submitted to the Committee.
Have their views, recommendations, concerns, and opinions considered during decision-making processes.
Receive a documented response from the Rainforest Alliance where the Committee has provided formal recommendations that are not adopted, including the rationale for the final decision.
Participate in Committee meetings, discussions and processes in accordance with these Terms of Reference.
3.2 Obligations
Members of the Standards Committee shall:
Act in good faith and in the best interests of the integrity, credibility, and objectives of the Rainforest Alliance standards system.
Contribute their expertise constructively and independently.
Declare any actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest and comply with applicable conflict of interest requirements.
Respect confidentiality requirements where applicable.
Participate actively and regularly in Committee activities.
4. Nature of Committee Recommendations
The Standards Committee serves in an advisory and oversight capacity. Recommendations, advice, and opinions provided by the Committee are not binding on the Rainforest Alliance. Final responsibility for the approval, publication, revision, interpretation, and withdrawal of standards and related normative documents remains with the Rainforest Alliance in accordance with the Standards Development Procedure.
Where the Rainforest Alliance decides not to adopt a formal recommendation of the Committee, it shall provide the Committee with a written explanation outlining the reasons for the decision.
5. Composition of the Committee
The composition of the Standards Committee shall be established and maintained in accordance with the membership, representation, independence, expertise, conflict of interest, and participation requirements set out in the Rainforest Alliance Standards Development Procedure (SDP).
The Rainforest Alliance shall appoint Committee members through the process defined in the SDP and shall seek to ensure that the Committee collectively:
Represents the stakeholder groups relevant to the scope and implementation of Rainforest Alliance standards;
Reflects balanced representation across geographic regions, and certified contexts;
Provides the technical, practical, and sector expertise necessary to fulfil the Committee's advisory role; and
Operates in a manner that prevents the dominance of any single stakeholder interest.
The size, composition, and membership of the Committee shall be reviewed periodically by the Rainforest Alliance to ensure continued compliance with the balance criteria and governance requirements established in the SDP.
Please find the balance composition criteria of the Standards Committee in the table below:
Category | Number of representatives | Comments |
Producer representatives | Minimum of 3 |
|
Industry/downstream supply chain representatives | Minimum of 3 | Drawn from across the downstream supply chain:
|
Civil Society/External Thematic Experts representative | Minimum of 2 |
|
Certification Body | Minimum of 1 |
|
Independent Chair | 1 |
|
RA Staff | Maximum of 2 |
|
6. Election and Appointment of Members
Committee members appointed and selection shall seek to:
Ensure balanced stakeholder representation;
Achieve geographical diversity;
Ensure an appropriate mix of expertise and practical experience;
Avoid dominance by any single interest group; and
Manage conflicts of interest appropriately.
Vacancies may be filled through an open call for nominations, targeted recruitment, or appointment by the Rainforest Alliance based on the expertise and representation needs of the Committee.
7. Terms of Office
Committee members shall serve a term of three (3) years. Members may be reappointed for one additional consecutive term, subject to the needs of the Committee, the balance of stakeholder representation, and satisfactory participation during their previous term. A member may therefore serve a maximum of two consecutive terms, equivalent to six (6) continuous years of service.
Membership shall be reviewed periodically by the Rainforest Alliance to maintain compliance with the balance requirements established in Standards Development Procedure and ensure continuity of expertise.
8. Initial Transitional Agreement
To establish a staggered rotation system and avoid the simultaneous replacement of all Committee members, the first appointed Committee shall be subject to a transitional arrangement.
Upon establishment of the Committee:
All members shall be appointed simultaneously.
Members shall be appointed to serve an initial three-year term
At the end of the three-year term, members may reapply for membership and be considered for reappointment in accordance with the Standards Development Procedure.
Based on the reapplication process, some members will be reappointed for a second term while new members will be appointed to serve their initial first three-year term.
Members who reapply but are not selected for a second consecutive term may reapply three years later.
This transitional arrangement shall only apply to the first Committee established under these Terms of Reference.
9. End of Term and Vacancies
At the end of a member's term:
Membership shall automatically expire unless the individual has been formally reappointed.
The Rainforest Alliance shall initiate a replacement or reappointment process sufficiently in advance to maintain continuity of Committee operations.
Members may resign at any time by providing written notice to the Rainforest Alliance.
Where a member resigns or is unable to complete their term, a replacement may be appointed to serve the remainder of the vacant term.
In exceptional circumstances, the Rainforest Alliance may, with the member's agreement, extend the service of a member who has completed two consecutive terms by up to one (1) additional year
The Rainforest Alliance may remove a member before the end of their term where participation requirements, conflict of interest provisions, or Committee conduct expectations are not met.
10. Confidentiality and Conflicts
Committee members shall comply with applicable Rainforest Alliance confidentiality and conflict of interest policies.
Members shall declare any actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest relevant to the matters under discussion and, where appropriate, recuse themselves from related deliberations or recommendations.
Information designated as confidential and shared in the course of Committee activities shall not be disclosed outside the Committee without prior authorization from the Rainforest Alliance.
11. Committee Chair
The Committee shall elect a Chair from among its members.
The Chair shall:
Facilitate Committee meetings;
Promote balanced participation and consensus-building;
Represent the Committee in communications with the Rainforest Alliance
Support the effective functioning of the Committee.
The Chair shall serve for a term determined by the Committee and may be re-elected.
12. Meetings and Decision-Making
The Committee shall meet as necessary to fulfil its responsibilities, with at least two meeting annually with one being in-person.
The Committee shall seek to reach decisions by consensus wherever possible. Where consensus cannot be achieved, decisions may be adopted through the decision-making process established by the Rainforest Alliance and documented in Committee procedures.
13. Feedback and Reporting
The Standards Committee shall provide its advice, recommendations, and feedback through; meetings, written submissions (via email), or other mechanisms established by the Rainforest Alliance in accordance with the Standards Development Procedure .
The Rainforest Alliance shall document and consider recommendations provided by the Committee and communicate outcomes, decisions, and proposed follow-up actions to the Committee.
The Rainforest Alliance shall maintain records of Committee recommendations and responses as part of the standards development process and in accordance with the Standards Development Procedure.
14. Amendments
These Terms of Reference may be amended by the Rainforest Alliance to address evolving needs during the consultation process. All amendments will be versioned and communicated accordingly.
Other information
Date of first publication of this document (v1.0): 7th August, 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.
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