Title: | Transition from Sustainability Differential and Sustainability Investments to Premium Policy |
Code: | A-21-SRCL-B-CH |
Version: | 1.0 |
Applies to: | Farm and Supply Chain Certificate Holders. |
Enforceability: | Binding content |
Effective by: | October 1st 2025 |
Expires by: | Until further notice |
Published on: | April 3rd 2025 |
Linked to: | A-01-S-B-FA_V1.4EN_Rainforest Alliance Sustainable Agriculture Standard, Farm Requirements. A-02-S-B-SC_V1.4EN_Rainforest Alliance Sustainable Agriculture Standard, Supply Chain Requirements. A-06-SRCL-B-CH_V1.3EN_Premium Annex. A-22-S-B-CH_V1.1EN_Online Traceability Exception for Tea Certificate Holders. |
Replaces: | N/A |
What is this document about?
This document outlines the requirements for Farm and Supply Chain Certificate Holders (CHs) to transition from the Sustainability Differential and Sustainability (SD/SI) Investment requirements in version 1.3 of our Sustainable Agriculture Standard to the Premium requirements in version 1.4.
When and how to use this document?
This document should be used for the implementation of Chapter 3 requirements of the Sustainable Agriculture Standard for versions 1.3 and 1.4.
1. Transition Requirements
The following outlines the transition requirements for implementing the three Premium requirements in the Rainforest Alliance Farm Requirements and Rainforest Alliance Supply Chain Requirements. Farm and Supply Chain Certificate Holders (CHs) should also refer to the Premium Annex for further implementation requirements per crop.
1.1 Requirement 3.1.1 (Payment of premium and Traceability Platform)
As of October 1, 2025, the Rainforest Alliance Traceability Platform (and excel upload function for tea) will no longer include fields to collect SD/SI data and information; instead, it will collect premium data and information. The Rainforest Alliance will no longer be able to report on SD/SI information and will transition to premium as of this date.
Communication between the Farm and Supply Chain CHs will be necessary to ensure that all parties are aware that the agreements/contracts may reference SD/SI while the system will collect premium data.
1.2 Requirement 3.1.2 (Contracts and Commitments)
For contracts related to volumes that will be sold by a Farm CH as of October 1, 2025, the language of those contracts must be updated by April 1, 2026, to include references to the premium instead of SD/SI.
If contracts are being negotiated in advance of October 1, 2025, CHs can already adjust those contracts to include references to the premium.
For tea, there is not a contract requirement; therefore, the SD/SI commitments provided to the Rainforest Alliance will need to reflect the premium as of October 1, 2025. Please refer to The Online Traceability Exception Policy for Tea Certificate Holders for the current tea traceability process.
1.3 Farm Requirement 3.1.3 (Premium Distribution)
For volumes sold by farm Certificate Holders as of October 1, 2025, the new premium distribution requirements for Farm Certificate Holders, as outlined in this requirement and the Premium Annex will apply.
Other information
Date of first publication of this document (v 1.0): April 3rd 2025.
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.