June 21, 2024

At 4C, we value constructive criticism as it helps us to continuously improve our systems and practices. A recent report by Public Eye raised concerns about our certification standards and their enforcement. We appreciate the opportunity to address these points and provide clarity on our certification system and our ongoing efforts to enhance sustainability in the coffee industry.

Outdated and Incorrect Information in the Report:

Study Data:

• The report references a study based on data collected between 2008 and 2015. This data is outdated and does not reflect the current state of the 4C certification system.
• Since the discontinuation of the 4C Association in 2016, 4C Services has made significant revisions, including a new Code of Conduct in 2020 and several system updates, to strengthen our certification requirements and processes.

Audit Processes and Transparency:

• 4C works on continuously improving auditing quality and processes as well as transparency. While the report claims that audits are “relaxed”, 4C audits are thorough and transparent with strict guidelines and procedures to ensure impartiality.
• 4C differentiates between regular audits and integrity audits, with clear and transparent procedures in place to ensure impartiality and prevent fraudulent practices. Unannounced audits, known as unscheduled or ad hoc audits (ISO 19011), are conducted in exceptional cases to maintain integrity.
• While we do not publicly disclose individual farms due to data protection agreements, our Managing Entities, who hold the certificates, are listed on our website.
• Traceability and physical segregation of 4C certified coffee is a crucial requirement at every stage of the coffee supply chain, from the farm to the roaster.
• Managing Entities must establish and maintain a robust and comprehensive internal management system. This system is thoroughly inspected during audits to ensure compliance.
• Internal processes and bookkeeping are audited to verify the traceability of coffee flow within the 4C Unit. All records must be detailed and plausible. The structure of the 4C Unit and details about the farmers must be shared with 4C and auditors. Any changes in the composition of the unit must be promptly updated and communicated.

Strength of the 4C Standard:

• Contrary to the report’s assertions, the 4C standard is not a low-level standard. Our certification requirements are stringent and have become more comprehensive in recent years.
• Since 2020, 4C has implemented a new Code of Conduct and several system updates, making our standards stricter.
• 4C is a robust standard that follows international conventions on human rights and workers’ rights (ILO) and environmental protection.
• While compliance with local laws and regulations is a precondition, the 4C certification goes beyond statutory requirements.
• As the International Trade Centre Standards Map shows, 4C’s requirements are as or even more stringent than other third-party certifications operating within coffee.

Development of 4C and Multistakeholder Approach

• The Common Code for the Coffee Community (4C) was created through a participatory, extensive, transparent and balanced consultation with coffee stakeholders worldwide, and was first owned and operationalized by the former 4C Association. The first initiative was led by the German Coffee Association (DKV) and German International Development Agency (GIZ) (GTZ in 2004) on behalf of the German Ministry for Economic Co-operation and Development. Representatives of producing countries, trade and industry as well as civil society were involved in the formulation of this Code.
• The Global Coffee Platform (GCP) Coffee Sustainability Reference Code was initially developed based on the 4C code. However, both standards have evolved independently since 2016. The Equivalence Mechanism, Coffee SR Code, and GCP Collective Reporting on Sustainable Coffee Purchases were created by GCP to establish a sector-wide understanding of the foundations for coffee sustainability.
• These initiatives aim to provide a baseline for sustainability practices in the coffee industry. However, it is important to note that the current 4C standard significantly exceeds these baseline requirements.
• It is important to note that 4C is recognized in the category of third-party assurance under the Equivalence Mechanism 2.0. Only third-party certifications are recognized under this code. It is important to differentiate this from second-party schemes mentioned in the report, which are recognized in a separate category by GCP.

Farmer and Worker Benefits:

• Regarding the report’s claims about the benefits to farmers and workers, 4C provides comprehensive sustainability requirements covering economic, social, and environmental dimensions. Creating a positive impact for coffee farmers is at the forefront of 4C’s mission. Our continuous development efforts aim to provide both short- and long-term benefits.
• 4C certification provides farmers and workers with awareness-raising, capacity building and technical assistance, aimed at improving working conditions and sustainability practices on farms.
• Adhering to 4C requirements helps farmers and their communities reduce pesticide use and correctly manage wastewater, leading to significant health benefits.
• Implementing 4C standards enhances resilience to climate change, ensuring that farming practices are sustainable and adaptable to changing environmental conditions.
• By adopting good agricultural practices promoted by 4C, farmers can achieve higher yields, improving their economic stability and productivity.
• 4C certification enhances market access for farmers, particularly considering increasingly stringent due diligence regulations such as the European Union Regulation on Deforestation-Free Products (EUDR). 4C appreciates these due diligence regulations and supports their implementation.
• 4C applies a continuous improvement model for minor non-compliances, allowing farmers to enhance their practices. Managing Entities support the compliance, reducing the burden on individual farmers.

In summary, contrary to the statements from the report, 4C is not an entry level standard. Our certification requirements are stringent and have become more comprehensive in recent years. As an ISEAL Community Member, 4C ensures that our practices are aligned with global benchmarks for sustainability. We remain committed to ensuring that our certification is robust and accessible, with requirements that benefit farmers and promote sustainable practices.

4C is dedicated to continuous improvement and upholding the highest standards of sustainability in the coffee industry. We welcome ongoing dialogue and collaboration with all stakeholders to further enhance the effectiveness of our certification system.

For more information on our standards and practices, please contact us directly.

4C is proud to announce its achievement of equivalence recognition against the Sustainable Agriculture Initiative (SAI) Platform’s Farm Sustainability Assessment (FSA) Version 3.0.

The SAI Platform is a global organization committed to advancing sustainable agriculture practices, and its Farm Sustainability Assessment is a comprehensive tool that evaluates and benchmarks sustainability performance across various agricultural sectors. 

The 4C certification operates on a model of continuous improvement wherein the certified groups of farmers constantly work towards reaching the next higher sustainability level. This means that certified groups of farmers need to comply with increasingly thorough and strict criteria over subsequent certification cycles. Every three years the audits for re-certification include additional checkpoints and a new improvement plan is set up each time with objectives to achieve until the next audit. 

Following the benchmarking, based on this progressive system, 4C has achieved: 

1. FSA Gold Level Equivalence for its certification standard for sustainability level 3
2. FSA Silver Level Equivalence for level 1 of the certification 

The FSA Gold Level Equivalence recognition is granted to organizations that demonstrate exceptional performance in implementing sustainable practices, aligning with the SAI Platform’s rigorous standards. 

This recognition, through a thorough evaluation process, underscores 4C’s commitment to fostering sustainable practices and highlights its dedication to advancing environmental and social responsibility within the coffee and cocoa sector.  

“We are honoured to receive the FSA Gold Level Equivalence recognition from the SAI Platform for our commitment to promoting sustainable practices in coffee production and supply chains. This achievement reflects our ongoing efforts to drive positive impact in the sector and contribute to a more sustainable and resilient future,” said Norbert Schmitz, Managing Director at 4C Services. 

“I would like to congratulate 4C Services on their benchmarking equivalence to the FSA. The Gold Level Equivalence of level 3 exemplifies 4C’s commitment to thriving and sustainable coffee and cocoa sectors. With this also being the first coffee-specific benchmark against FSA 3.0, it also shows that 4C continues to be a leader”, added Joe Iveson, FSA Manager, Sustainable Agriculture Initiative Platform. 

In response to valuable feedback received from stakeholders during the public consultation period from January to April 2023, 4C has undertaken a comprehensive review of its Gender Equality (GE) Add-On, making significant updates to enhance its practical application and relevance in diverse contexts.

The feedback, primarily received from Certification Bodies (CBs) conducting initial audits and Managing Entities (ME) undergoing GE certification of groups of farmers, as well as other interested parties, highlighted crucial aspects related to the application, local conditions, and the clarity of normative documents, particularly within the Colombian context.

The new version of the 4C Gender Equality Add-On System Document V 1.1. will be valid from 1.1.2024.

Key Changes Made:

These revisions and additions underscore 4C’s commitment to continuous improvement, ensuring that the GE Add-On is established as a robust and adaptable tool for promoting gender equality across diverse coffee production settings.

For further details or inquiries, we encourage you to reach out for clarification on the updated documents: info@4c-services.org

International Coffee Day 2023 – #CoffeePeople Campaign

In commemoration of this year’s International Coffee Day on October 1st, 2023, the International Coffee Organization (ICO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) have joined forces to spearhead an EU-funded campaign under the motto #CoffeePeople.  International Coffee Day marks an annual tribute to the dedication of coffee farmers, and everyone involved in bringing coffee to our cups. This year’s campaign shines a light on the unsung heroes in the coffee industry – the workers driving the entire supply chain.

Under the overarching mission of “promoting the right to a safe and healthy working environment in the coffee supply chain”, this campaign seeks to unite stakeholders from across the coffee sector to advocate for workers’ rights. At the core of the initiative lies the ILO’s Vision Zero Fund, striving to eradicate work-related accidents, injuries, and illnesses within supply chains worldwide. It provides the framework for the campaign’s purpose and ambition.

Recognizing that actions speak louder than words, the #CoffeePeople Campaign encourages stakeholders to not merely express support but to commit to concrete pledges aligned with this year’s theme. Through these commitments, the campaign aims to kickstart real, meaningful improvements in the health and well-being of workers in coffee supply chains.

4C is happy to announce that we are responding to this call to action with our own pledge dedicated to promoting the right to a safe and healthy working environment for everyone in the coffee supply chain.

What makes coffee a dangerous industry for workers?

Every worker in the coffee supply chain deserves a safe and healthy working environment yet they regularly experience preventable work-related injuries and illnesses. According to the ICO, major safety and health hazards in coffee agriculture are:

• Injuries from cutting tools ranging from skin abrasions and minor cuts to severe wounds
• Injuries from contact with, or entanglement in, unguarded machinery or from being hit by motorized vehicles
• Hearing loss or impairment due to noisy machinery
• Musculoskeletal injuries from repetitive and forceful movements, and lifting and carrying heavy or awkward loads
• Poisoning and long-term health problems from pesticide use or exposure
• Respiratory problems due to exposure to coffee dust
• High levels of sun exposure which can result in skin cancer and heat exhaustion
• Snake and insect bites
• Long working hours
• Stress

The International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health conducted a study on effects of pesticide use in coffee farms. The most frequently pesticides-related symptoms reported included strong tiredness, stomachache, irregular heartbeat, sleeplessness, difficulty breathing, dizziness, and visual problems. The high incidence of pesticide-related symptoms and diseases can be attributed to improper pesticide use, coupled with a deficient or largely absent legislative frameworks and a lack of oversight by authorities.

Food insecurity and hunger are further global issues that have a major effect in many coffee growing regions. Food insecurity leads to a wide range of serious health issues, and its effect on mental and physical wellbeing goes beyond poor nutrition and diet. For instance, according to a study, nearly 50% of adults residing in households with severe food insecurity reported having to delay, reduce, or forgo prescription medications due to financial constraints.

How the 4C System addresses workers’ health and safety

The 4C Code of Conduct comprises our principles across the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of sustainability. To become certified, 4C Units need to comply with the 4C Code of Conduct requirements, which is verified by independent third-party auditors who closely follow 4C’s guidance in ensuring compliance and making certification decisions.

The 4C Code of Conduct outlines comprehensive requirements to protect workers’ health and safety in 4C certified farms and processing facilities.

In addition to the core 4C certification, we offer solutions to system users who wish to commit deeper to Human Rights Due Diligence and proactively address identified threats in their supply chains. Together with the Food Security Standard, founded by Welthungerhilfe, WWF and the German Ministry for Food and Agriculture, we have created the Food Security Add-On which is adapted specifically for addressing hunger and food insecurity in coffee supply chains. The Food Security Add-On features an extended checklist ensuring the dedicated promotion of workers’ health and safety. Find out more about the Food Security Add-On and contact us if you are interested in applying this innovative additional 4C certification in your coffee production.

How 4C pledges to further strengthen the protection of workers’ health and safety

As outlined in our pledge, 4C is committed to enhancing workers’ health, safety, and well-being by refining our system and requirements on working condition in 2024. Our dedication to continuous improvement is central to the 4C system.

Currently, we are revising the 4C Audit Checklist in line with international standards, laws, and regulations, while also incorporating valuable feedback from system users. This document is pivotal in our system, guiding auditors in ensuring compliance with the 4C Code of Conduct, which sets the standard for certification decisions.

The revisions of the Audit Checklist include:

• A clearer guidance on warning signs on farms and facilities such as wet mills, dry mills, and warehouses. Communication plays a pivotal role in ensuring the safety and well-being of workers and warning signs are an effective and cost-efficient solution to mitigate health risks, prevent accidents and ensure safety.
• Information about available options for health checks and healthcare services must be provided to all permanent, temporary, and seasonal workers.
• A documented emergency plan must be in place and communicated effectively to all workers to ensure its seamless execution in the event of an emergency.
• More detailed instructions on inspecting equipment and machinery to ensure safe use by both farmers and their workers. This encompasses demonstrating that equipment and machinery are well-maintained and regularly serviced and manufacturers’ guidelines and relevant regulations for calibration and servicing of equipment, machinery, and pesticide and fertilizer application equipment must be followed diligently.

The revisions to the Audit Checklist benefit not only the workers themselves but also extend to the surrounding communities. Farmers, who are part of the 4C System, are required to assess the potential impact of their operations on neighboring communities. This practice indirectly safeguards the well-being of the workers not only at their workplace but also in their homes and among their families.

4C is fully committed to elevating workers’ health, safety, and well-being, fostering a safer and more responsible coffee industry for all. We would like to extend our genuine gratitude to the ICO and ILO for highlighting this crucial issue on International Coffee Day 2023.

Bonn, Germany – July 7th, 2023: Today, the Global Coffee Platform officially announced its recognition of 4C as equivalent to the GCP Coffee Sustainability Reference Code (Coffee SR Code) in the category of 3rd party assurance.

As Norbert Schmitz, the Managing Director of 4C stated: “Being recognized by GCP’s Equivalence Mechanism 2.0 holds immense significance for 4C. Receiving this recognition reinforces 4C position as a reliable and comprehensive 3rd party certification system and strengthens our commitment to collaborating with the coffee sector to advance sustainability. We are dedicated to continuing working closely with GCP and other stakeholders to drive positive change, creating a more sustainable future for coffee.”

The Equivalence Mechanism, Coffee SR Code, and GCP Collective Reporting on Sustainable Coffee Purchases were developed by GCP to establish a sector-wide understanding of the foundations for coffee sustainability. They aim to provide a common language and a recognized framework for sustainability in green coffee production and processing. The Equivalence Mechanism 2.0, released by GCP in November of last year proposed stricter sustainability and operational criteria. As a result, 4C has been reevaluating and aligning its system to remain equivalent to the Coffee SR Code and the Operational Criteria of EM 2.0. The assessment was conducted in collaboration with the International Trade Centre to ensure the integrity of the process.

Upon successful assessment and recognition by GCP, 4C is now again eligible to be included in the annual GCP Collective Reporting on Sustainable Coffee Purchases. This reporting initiative serves as a means for roasters and retailers to align their practices and contribute to global coffee sustainability efforts. The recognition process by GCP’s Equivalence Mechanism 2.0 is an important step to provide a sector-wide reference for sustainability in the economic, social, and environmental aspects of sustainable green coffee production and processing worldwide. According to Annette Pensel, GCP Executive Director, the Global Coffee Platform “applauds the action by these GCP Members to step up and align their sustainability schemes through the Coffee SR Code and GCP Equivalence Mechanism.”

Colombia is the third-largest coffee producer in the world with more than half a million families living from its cultivation. In addition to its undeniable relevance for the national economy, coffee is cultivated in some of the most biodiverse ecosystems, linking it to important ecological values. According to the ITC (International Trade Center), the world drinks up to three billion cups of coffee a day, and this consumption is constantly increasing. While this trend should lead to improved market opportunities for its producers, the instability of green coffee prices combined with the environmental challenges derived from climate change, make it much less attractive for younger generations of Colombians to continue producing coffee. The highly complex distribution chains also mean that producers rarely receive the full benefits from the coffee sales. These conditions particularly affect small producers, who constitute more than 95% of coffee farmers in Colombia. In this context, sustainability certification addresses negative impacts of coffee cultivation on the natural environment and maximizes economic benefits for coffee growing communities by improving the competitiveness of coffee products and facilitating access to international markets.

4C certification and improved access to European markets

The 4C audit took place between the 2^nd and 6^th of November 2021 and 437 coffee growers representing 455 small scale farms successfully passed the audit and received the 4C certification. This key result promotes sustainable coffee production in the region, while also raising awareness for the conservation of primary forests and protected areas. It also strengthens the protection of human and labor rights, while fostering more efficient and profitable coffee production. After implementing the improvements to achieve 4C certification, the project beneficiaries were satisfied with the changes they observed on their farms. Walter Guevara, a coffee farmer from Cienaga municipality emphasized: “4C motivates us to conserve the environment and be more organized, which is perhaps something that we have not been doing very much, and above all, it motivates the young people to adopt these practices that are fundamental to conserve nature and to develop ourselves.”

At the beginning of this year, Melitta acquired a first shipment of traceable 4C certified coffee from the beneficiaries of this project at a premium price. Another purchase is expected during the next harvest period lasting from October 2022 to January 2023.  The level of premiums that these sales offer to local coffee growers provides a higher profitability, allowing them to cover their operational costs and generate an attractive income. This also enables them to maintain a high level of environmental protection that secures the future for coffee production in the region. The response of the project beneficiaries following the sale of coffee to Melitta was very positive. Alvaro Serrano, a coffee farmer from Cienaga Municipality, noted that “the price premium that the 4C proposal represents here is not offered by anyone else.”

Increasing the attractiveness of the sector for young adults

An additional focus of the project in 2022 is to improve opportunities in the coffee sector for young people in the community. From the end of March 2022, around 100 young adults will participate in an extensive course on promoting ecotourism activities in coffee plantations. The course is jointly organized with FNC and with the participation of ProColombia – a government agency in charge of promoting Colombian international tourism. It will run for around two months and consists of a series of in-person and online training sessions. Participants will be guided by experts from the tourism industry to acquire the necessary knowledge to develop, adapt and strengthen their own tourism business proposal to attract the interest of international markets. Among others, some topics to be covered are strategic business planning, storytelling, marketing, and costing.

Other activities for young adults are planned for this year and include trainings on barista skills, coffee tasting, and entrepreneurship. Young adults will also be supported financially to enable them to implement the learnings from the trainings. “I really like that 4C is motivating our rural youth who were discouraged from continuing with coffee growing and showing them that coffee can indeed be a profitable alternative, and that we ourselves can find a good price for it with the help of 4C certification,” said Diego Hernandez a coffee farmer from Santa Marta Municipality, located in the project region Magdalena.