4C works towards sustainable coffee supply chains and improved livelihoods of farmers
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 Compliant Coffee is coffee that 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. Compliance can be demonstrated through the 4C Certification System and the 4C Certificates that are subsequently issued. The responsibility for operating the 4C Certification System belongs to 4C Services GmbH.
News & Events
News: 4C partners with Simexco, IDH – the Sustainable Trade Initiative, and JDE for reducing coffee GHG emissions in Vietnam
Four partners combine their forces to improve the environmental footprint of coffee production in Vietnam and make a valuable contribution to the global combat against climate change.
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News: Roll out of the new 4C System documents: finalized and available Online
After several months of collecting and compiling all our experiences made within the last years and the valuable feedback received from our stakeholders to revise the 4C System requirements and documents, the new 4C System documents are now finalized.
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News: Improving working and living conditions for coffee smallholders in Colombia
4C partners with Melitta Europa GmbH & Co. KG. – Division Coffee – and DEG to foster sustainability of the Colombian coffee production.
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News: Ajinomoto AGF, Inc. launches the first product packaging with the 4C logo on the Asian market
Ajinomoto AGF, INC. launches new product packaging with the 4C logo for its „Blendy“ Stick Series and „Blendy“ „CAFÉ LATORY“ Stick Series to highlight its commitment to the procurement of sustainable coffee beans.
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News: 4C improving sustainability performance of the coffee sector in a climate change era
A coffee news portal in Brazil, CaféPoint, published an insightful article on 4C and its path to anchoring sustainability in the entire coffee sector.
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Trainings and Events: Join the second round of web-trainings on biodiversity in agriculture and in coffee cultivation
A special web-training on biodiversity in agriculture and coffee cultivation with specific reference to the 4C requirements by the Food & Biodiversity Initiative provides a unique opportunity for Managing Entities of 4C Units and 4C auditors to learn about the importance of biodiversity conservation, how to develop biodiversity action plans and successfully implement them. The second round will be conducted in November in Spanish and English.
Read more here. To register please contact us via info@4c-services.org
Our Statement
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.
Create a sustainable future for coffee
The 4C Code of Conduct enables coffee farmers in 28 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.