First International Standards for sustainable and traceable cocoa just published
Valuable tool to support farmers in their journey towards prosperity and sustainability
Cocoa is a tricky business. The prime ingredient in one of the world’s favourite treats, chocolate, the humble cocoa bean, is a difficult crop to cultivate. What’s more, it is mostly grown on smallholder farms in regions of the world that lack adequate infrastructure and offer poor living conditions. The sustainability of cocoa production, therefore, is a concern. The publication of the ISO 34101 series of standards on sustainable and traceable cocoa provides a valuable tool to support farmers in their journey towards prosperity and sustainability.

ISO 34101-1, Sustainable and traceable cocoa – Part 1: Requirements for cocoa sustainability management systems, aims to help users implement effective practices to allow them to continually improve their business. Part 2, which deals with performance requirements, specifies economic, social and environmental criteria, while Part 3 contains the requirements for traceability of sustainably produced cocoa. Part 4 is aimed at certification scheme owners, certification bodies and all those seeking conformity to the ISO 34101 series. It also provides a starting point for farmers new to the concept of sustainable cocoa production, allowing time to progressively fulfil the requirements of Part 1 as experience is gained.
The ISO 34101 series was developed by ISO in collaboration with the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) under its technical committee CEN/TC 415, Sustainable and Traceable Cocoa, whose secretariat is held by DS, ISO’s member for Denmark, along with ISO technical committee ISO/TC 34, Food products, subcommittee SC 18, Cocoa, which is jointly managed by ISO’s members for Ghana (GSA) and the Netherlands (NEN).
Jack Steijn, Chair of both CEN/TC 415 and ISO/TC 34/SC 18, said the multi-stakeholder development process for the ISO 34101 series was extremely positive for the sector and will benefit the lives of the cocoa farmers, contribute to greater respect for the environment, and provide confidence to consumers that their chocolate comes from cocoa that has been grown sustainably.
"The series will enable farmers and farmer organizations to benefit from strategically addressing issues that threaten their sustainability by using approaches put forward by experts from all over the world,” he said.
"By introducing the Cocoa Farm Development Plan, a key element of the standard, cocoa farmers will be able to assess whether or not they will benefit from moving to sustainable production.”
"Then, if they choose to meet the requirements of the standards, they will be in a better position to develop into economically viable entrepreneurs.”
MacMillan Prentice, Twinned Committee Manager of ISO/TC 34/SC 18, added: "While a range of positive schemes and initiatives aimed at improving the sustainability of cocoa farming already exist, this standard aims to set a benchmark to which other programmes may align for the benefit of all.”
"Part 4 of the series helps to level the playing field for certification to sustainability in the sector, as it provides clarity on the requirements for certification schemes and certification bodies, something that did not exist before.”
The ISO 34101 series is available from your national ISO member or through the ISO Store.
Lifestyle | Essen & Trinken, 07.05.2019

Save the Ocean
forum 02/2025 ist erschienen
- Regenerativ
- Coworkation
- Klimadiesel
- Kreislaufwirtschaft
Kaufen...
Abonnieren...
30
APR
2025
APR
2025
Franz Alt: Die Solare Weltrevolution - Aufbruch in eine neue Menschheitsepoche
In der Reihe "Mein Klima… in München"
80331 München und online
In der Reihe "Mein Klima… in München"
80331 München und online
07
MAI
2025
MAI
2025
MakerCamp Genossenschaften 2025
Genossenschaftliche Lösungen in Wirtschaft, Kommunen und Gesellschaft
65189 Wiesbaden
Genossenschaftliche Lösungen in Wirtschaft, Kommunen und Gesellschaft
65189 Wiesbaden
14
MAI
2025
MAI
2025
Klimaschutz im peruanischen Regenwald
Delegierte der Asháninka teilen ihre Perspektiven
80802 München, Seidlvilla
Delegierte der Asháninka teilen ihre Perspektiven
80802 München, Seidlvilla
29
JUN
2025
JUN
2025
Constellations Week 2025 in Südtirol
Inspiration, Klarheit und Empowerment
I-39010 Tisens-Prissian, Südtirol
Inspiration, Klarheit und Empowerment
I-39010 Tisens-Prissian, Südtirol
Professionelle Klimabilanz, einfach selbst gemacht

Einfache Klimabilanzierung und glaubhafte Nachhaltigkeitskommunikation gemäß GHG-Protocol
Politik

Mit Blick auf auf das Börsenchaos überlegt Christoph Quarch, was ein gutes Leben ausmacht
Jetzt auf forum:
Nachhaltige Mobilität im Personen- und Güterverkehr - Quo Vadis?
Der Einfluss von Digitalisierung auf nachhaltige Geschäftsmodelle
Wie man die perfekte Wohnung für den Start ins Berufsleben findet
Franziskus - er ruhe in Frieden
Aufruf an alle Bildungsinnovator:innen!