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: 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 of the Colombian coffee production. The baseline study has identified Magdalena as one of the departments with the greatest need for intervention
Read more here
News: Improving Biodiversity in Coffee Landscapes in Vietnam
4C, in cooperation with the Lake Constance Foundation, Agriculture and Forestry Research & Development Center for Mountainous Region (ADC), Vinh Hiep Gia Lai Co., Ltd and Fundación Humedales, has started a joint project to improve biodiversity in coffee landscapes in Vietnam
Read more here
Trainings and Events: 4C Online Seminar Series “Sustainable Coffee Day II”
4C invites everyone to attend the next online seminar series in April – June 2021. The series will keep the focus on sustainability challenges and solutions within the coffee supply chains, – topics as important as ever. We are looking forward to having you with us!
Read more and register here
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.
Read more here
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.