2020 Certification and Auditing Rules
The Assurance System of the 2020 Certification Program introduces numerous innovations to ensure that certification is more context-specific, data-driven, and risk-based.
Policies and rules
April 23, 2024
Binding Documents
Binding Documents are a set of standards, policies and rules that are applicable to different actors in the Rainforest Alliance’s programs, depending on the type of activity the actor is engaged in, as set forth in an organization's license agreement with the Rainforest Alliance.
These Binding Documents include the following documents and categories of rules: License Agreement Terms and Conditions, certification standards and rules, traceability rules, labeling rules, and online platform terms and conditions.* View additional business updates and information on the Knowledge Hub.
*Note: All actors that are part of either cocoa program and any actors interested in using the new Rainforest Alliance seal must also sign a License Agreement (2020 Version) with Rainforest Alliance.
Binding Documents by type
Certification Binding Documents
Certification Program
Farms and companies certified to the following standard can find applicable binding documents:
- Rainforest Alliance Certification Program (2020 Certification Program)
Additional Binding Documents
Labels & Traceability
Farms and companies that are selling, labeling or claiming products as Rainforest Alliance Certified or using the Rainforest Marks can find applicable binding documents by clicking the following links:
Terms & Conditions
The Knowledge Hub: Your go-to place for version 1.4 content
Version 1.4 of the Sustainable Agriculture Standard, along with its supporting documents and the Certification and Auditing Rules, have been published on the Knowledge Hub.
All resources for Binding Documents
Rainforest Alliance 2020 Labeling and Trademarks Policy
Use and approval of the Rainforest Alliance Trademarks
EUDR Data Sharing Policy
The European Union (EU) has introduced the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), including requirements on deforestation for some products that are imported into the EU. Rainforest Alliance certified products currently impacted include cocoa and coffee. This policy outlines the conditions under which data relevant to the regulation may be shared and used by companies as part […]
Policy for Tea Farm Certification in Kenya
This policy has been developed to align the requirements of the Rainforest Alliance 2020 Farm Standard with the context of Tea farming operations in Kenya. It is applicable to both Rainforest Alliance Farm Certificate Holders and Certification Bodies operating in the Tea Sector in Kenya.
Policy for Certificate Holder Transfers
Policy for clarification of Chapter 1.8 of the CARs.
Grievance Procedure
The procedure is open to anyone who has a grievance against a member (producer or supply chain actor), a certification body (CB), or against the Rainforest Alliance itself.