Certification Introduction
Rainforest Alliance (RA) is an international non-profit organization working at the intersection of business, agriculture, and forests to make responsible business the new normal. By bringing stakeholders from various sectors together, it drives changes on some of the most pressing social and environmental issues.
RA 2020 certification program aims at protecting nature, bettering the livelihoods of farmers and improving forest communities through implementing the sustainable agriculture standard. The program came into force on July 1, 2021. The sustainable agriculture standard encompasses farm requirements and supply chain requirements.
Farm Requirements, applicable to farms or farm organizations, are designed to support certificate holders in maximizing the positive impacts of agriculture on society, environment and economy, and to offer an enhanced framework for farmers to improve their livelihoods and protect their working and living environments.
Supply Chain Requirements, applicable to processors and traders that deal with products sourced from RA certified farms, aim to help enterprises with sustainable development investment in farms, and encourage responsible business practices within and beyond the operational scope, creating a more balanced supply chain structure.
Benefits of RA 2020 Certification
Help certified organizations gain recognition from international chain/retail enterprises.
Help certified organizations enhance their management capabilities and social impact.
Help eliminate technical barriers to trade, promoting international economic cooperation.
Scope of RA 2020 Certification
No. | Certification Type
| Certified Products | Description | Examples |
1 | Farm Certification | Tea, cocoa, coffee, flowers, fruits, nuts, spices, palm oil, vegetables, etc.
| Farms or farm organizations involving agricultural activities. | Green coffee, fresh tea, flowers, bananas, macadamia nuts, ginger, cabbage, etc. |
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4 | Supply Chain Certification (processing, storage, sale, etc.) | Manufactured products made from tea, cocoa, coffee, flowers, fruits, nuts, spices, palm oil, vegetables, etc. | Processors and traders that deal with products sourced from RA certified farms | Coffee, tea drinks, rose pastries, seasoning packet, etc. |
5 |
RA 2020 Certification Process:
Process | Step | Certification Body/RA | Certificate Holder |
Registration | Registration | Website for registration: https://portal.utz.org/CertificateHolder_Registration/Registration | (Potential or current) certificate holders create a certification account in the RA certification system and fill in basic information. |
Certification scope confirmation | Log in after registration: | Update information of certification scope including certified base, certified processing plants, personnel information and trade. | |
Risk assessment | Risk assessment | —— | Complete risk assessment in the RA certification system and identify certification level. |
Choose a certification body | Choose a certification body | Establish connections between the certification body and client | Choose the authorized certification body conducting inspection according to the certification grade. |
Application and acceptance | Certification application | Introduction of CQC and RA certification | Fill in application documents and basic information of applicants |
Acceptance | Complete application review and quotation of certification fees | Submit application documents and check fees | |
Contract signing | Contract Signing | Contract signing | |
Conduct inspections | Preparation for audit | Release audit notification, audit tasks and audit plan | Identify and provide materials for on-site audit |
On-site audit | The inspection team conducts on-site audit based on requirements | Provide materials for on-site audit | |
Certification recommendation | Issue the audit result and non-compliance report if necessary | Identify and develop corrective measures | |
Conformity assessment | Materials assessment | Assess the materials submitted by the audit team | Supplementary materials (if applicable) |
Certification approval | Approval by CQC leaders | / | |
Certificate making | Certificate making | / | |
Issuance of license | Certification bodies upload certification results to the RA certification platform, and the RA issues or denies a RA certification license to the certificate holder based on submitted results. | Access and download the license on RA certification platform. | |
Certificate mailing | Certificate mailing | Check the delivery of certificate | |
Certificate Alteration | Release the tasks of handling, assessment and audit for the application of certificate alteration (if necessary) | Provide materials for on-site audit (if necessary) | |
Re-certification audit | Same process as the first certification audit | ||
RA 2020 Certification Certificate
The RA2020 certification certificate is valid for three years, with annual inspections conducted during this period.
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