Sustainable Agriculture Certification

What is this programme?

Rainforest Alliance certifies agricultural production against its sustainability standard. The organisation is a US 501(c)(3) non-profit, EIN 13-3377893. Certification bodies are accredited under ISO/IEC 17065 and ISO/IEC 17021 by accreditation bodies that are IAF members. In 2018, UTZ joined forces with Rainforest Alliance; both certification programmes ran in parallel through 2020, and the UTZ programme and label were phased out after the new Rainforest Alliance 2020 programme launched.

Who is it for?

Farms, cooperatives and supply chain businesses seeking a Rainforest Alliance sustainability claim, including former UTZ-certified operations transitioning to the current programme.

Who issues the certificate?

The certificate is issued by an independent certification body accredited under ISO/IEC 17065 or ISO/IEC 17021 by an IAF-member accreditation body — not by Rainforest Alliance itself.

What to verify before you accept it

Confirm the certification body's current ISO/IEC 17065 or 17021 accreditation and its IAF-member accreditor. If a supplier claims a 'UTZ certificate', confirm it has transitioned to the current Rainforest Alliance 2020 programme, since the UTZ programme and label were phased out after 2020.

What triggers an assessment?

• A buyer or brand requires a Rainforest Alliance sustainability claim.
• A supplier previously held UTZ certification and its current status needs confirming.
• Agricultural production or supply chain handling of a certified commodity is involved.

What does it not replace?

• UTZ is not a separate, currently active programme; it merged into Rainforest Alliance in 2018 and its programme and label were phased out after 2020.
• It is not the same scheme as GLOBALG.A.P.; a buyer's requirement specifies which one is accepted.