4C works towards sustainable coffee supply chains and improved livelihoods of farmers
As an independent, stakeholder-driven, internationally recognized sustainability standard for the entire coffee sector, 4C aims at anchoring sustainability in coffee supply chains across environmental, social and economic dimensions. 4C is a credible and robust system, applying innovative audit and risk assessment procedures, and is strengthened by a comprehensive integrity program. 4C System brings real impact on the ground, enabling continuous improvement and enhancing smallholder livelihoods, and supports companies in achieving and keeping their sustainability commitments.
- 4C certification applies high standards on economic, social and environmental conditions for coffee production and processing to establish sustainable, trustworthy and fair coffee supply chains.
- 4C certified coffee has been produced in accordance with the 4C Code of Conduct, a set of baseline sustainable practices and principles for the production of green coffee beans.
News & Events
4C Online Trainings 2022 – Registration Now Open
4C Online Trainings guide participants through the certification process, ensuring better understanding and implementation of the audit requirements and procedures. They include topics as criteria set by the 4C Code of Conduct, risk assessment, on-site and remote audits, issuance of certificates, supply chain traceability and chain of custody, and many others.
We also provide additional trainings on our Carbon Footprint, Gender Equality and Food Security Add-Ons.
Read more and register here
News: Measuring, reducing and offsetting emissions in coffee with the new 4C Carbon Footprint Add-On
4C Services is proud to announce the launch of the new 4C Carbon Footprint Add-On which promotes climate friendly coffee cultivation and supply chains. The Add-On allows system users to calculate their carbon footprint, to identify emission reduction options and to use carbon offsetting for remaining emissions.
Read more here
News: Improving working and living conditions for coffee smallholders in Magdalena (Colombia)
4C partners with Melitta Europa GmbH & Co. KG. – Division Coffee – and DEG to foster sustainability in Colombian coffee production and support smallholder farmers and their families.
Read an update on the project’s activities and result here
Create a sustainable future for coffee
The 4C Code of Conduct enables coffee farmers in 18 countries to participate in sustainable markets and profit from higher economic outcomes, improved and fair working conditions and the preservation of precious landscapes and biodiversity. To achieve these goals, the 4C Code of Conduct applies important criteria in the three dimensions of sustainability:
Economic dimension
- Business Management
- Capacity and Skill Development
- Access to Services and Market Information
- Traceability
Social dimension
- Human and Labour Rights
- Working conditions
Environmental dimension
- Protection of Biodiversity and High Carbon Stock Areas
- Use of Pesticides and Other Hazardous Chemicals
- Soil Conservation and Fertility
- Water Conservation
- Waste Management
- Energy Consumption
4C stands for reliability
4C is a trustworthy and secure system, relying on innovative technology and profound training to monitor the compliance and continuous improvement of participating farmers and partners along the supply chain.
Contact us
We are happy to discuss individual solutions with you. Please get in touch and contact us directly.