4C Certification · Document Library

Join the 4C Certification Process - Step by Step

Document Library

System Documents

Name of Document Languages
4C Code of Conduct v.4.1 (Valid from 01/07/2024) English, Spanish, Portuguese,Vietnamese
4C Code of Conduct v.4.0 English, Spanish, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Indonesian
4C System Regulations v.4.0 English, Spanish, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Indonesian
4C Certification Body Regulations v.4.0 English
4C Pesticide List v.4.0 English
4C Pesticide List v.4.1 (Valid from 20/01/2024) English
Regulation for 4C certified EUDR Coffee v.1.0 English

Supporting Documents

Name of Document For Coffee Production (4C Units)
 For Chain of Custody (CoC)
4C Certification Step-by-Step English, Spanish, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Indonesian English, Spanish, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Indonesian
4C Glossary English English
4C Guidance on the Protection of Children´s Rights English English
4C Guidelines for Geodata collection v.1.0 English

Tools and Templates

  Name of Document For Producing Groups (4C Units) For Chain of Custody (CoC)
4C Core Certification Audit Checklist v.4.1 English, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese English
Audit Checklist v.4.0 English, Spanish, Portuguese
Business Partner Map (BPM) v.4.1 English, Portuguese, Chinese English, Spanish, Portuguese
Business Partner Map (BPM) v.4.0 English, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Chinese Vietnamese, Chinese
Example –
Demo Video with subtitles in EN, ES, PT, VN –
Improvement Plan (IP) v.4.0 English, Chinese not applicable
4C certified EUDR Coffee Self-Assessment for EUDR legality compliance English  
Self-Declaration for producer organizations  
Gender Equality Add-On 4C Gender Equality Add-On Regulations v.1.1 English  
4C Audit Checklist_ Gender Equality_v.1.1 English , Spanish , Vietnamese  
Business Partner Map (BPM) v.1.1 English , English_example , Spanish  , Spanish_ejemplo  
Improvement Plan (IP_GE) v.1.0 English  
Food Security Add-On 4C Audit Checklist_Food Security_v4.0 English, Spanish  
4C-FSS QAT Summary English  
Business Partner Map (BPM) v.4.0 English, Spanish  

Portal

Contractual Agreements

Name of Document Language
Terms of Use for MEs English
Terms of Use for CBs English
Terms of Use for IBs and BPCs English

System Updates

In the event of adjustments or other changes to the 4C System requirements, 4C communicates them through System Updates to all Managing Entities (MEs) of 4C Units and all Certification Bodies (CBs) cooperating with 4C.

It is the responsibility of the ME and CB to take the System Updates into account and inform all relevant members of staff and Business Partners (BPs) about such updates.

2024

Date
 Name of Document Topics
11 January System Update 16
  • Roll out of the revised 4C Code of Conduct, v.4.1
  • Update on the BPM and 4C Audit Checklist, v.4.1, for Coffee Production (4C Units)
  • Roll out of the Regulation for 4C certified EUDR Coffee, v.1.0
  • Adjustment of the 4C requirements on the single registration of a Business Partner producer in one 4C Unit
  • Roll out of the new 4C Guidelines for Geodata Collection v.1.0

2023

Date
 Name of Document Topics
1 August System Update 15
  • Update on the BPM and Audit Checklist for Chain of Custody certification
  • Clarification on the proper completion of the BPM template for 4C Units
  • Clarification on the proper completion of the Audit Report template
  • Clarification on the CB infringement solving process

2022

Date
 Name of Document Topics
19 September System Update 14
  • Clarification on Addendum Audit
  • Clarification on combining Addendum and Surveillance Audit
27 May System Update 13
  • Clarification on type and level of infringements of the Certification Body and related sanctions
03 February System Update 12
  • Clarification on Guidance for Remote Audits
  • Clarification on Procedures for the 4C Chain of Custody (CoC) Certification

2021

Date
 Name of Document Topics
12 August System Update 11
  • Clarification on Procedures for the 4C Chain of Custody (CoC) Certification
30 June System Update 10
  • End of Transition Rules communicated in the framework of introducing the new System Regulations
  • Sample calculation of BP Service Providers
  • Clarification: Geographical scope not required for Chain of Custody (CoC) certification
  • Replacement Terms of Use for Intermediary Buyers (ToU IBs) through the Terms of Use for Intermediary Buyers and Buyers of Processed Coffee (ToU IBs and BPCs)
04 March System Update 9
  • Remote audit guidance
  • Clarification: Possibility of merging audits
21 January System Update 8
  • Business Partners Traders licensed by the Managing Entity to sell 4C certified coffee to First Buyers
  • Clarification on the deadlines for submission and approval of Annual Update documents
  • Translation of 4C System documents and audit checklist

2020

Date
 Name of Document Topics
05 August System Update 7
  • Important notification on exceptions due to Corona virus
  • Mandatory contact update via the 4C portal
  • Clarification on forming new 4C Units with old Business Partners (BPs)
  • Translation of documents
  • Transition period for the new 4C System requirements
  • 4C Online-Trainings 2020
01 July System Update 6
  • Roll out of the new 4C System documents
06 April System Update 5
  • Phase out of the Rainforest Alliance (RA) certificate recognition
  • Reminder: Survey on 4C impact
  • Audit checklist translations
  • Addition: Important notification on exceptions due to Corona virus
10 March System Update 4
  • Important notification on exceptions due to Corona virus
  • 4C includes Glyphosate into the 4C Yellow Pesticide List
  • 4C Classified Chemicals tool
  • Use of the new BPM functions in the 4C portal
  • 4C impact survey for Certification Bodies and Managing Entities
09 January System Update 3
  • New BPM template 3.6 published
  • Updated 4C portal views
  • Use of the GRAS tool for risk-based sample calculation
  • Extension of the transition period on the clearance of non-conformities

2019

Date
 Name of Document Topics
14 November System Update 2
  • 4C system updates
  • New 4C procedure: which cycle to use for the recertification audit; In case of new BPs joining a 4C unit or a break between two certification cycles, which cycle should be used for recertification
  • Revision of 4C audit report
  • Multiple producers cultivating and selling coffee from the same plot: how to register this in the BPM
  • Availability of geo-coordinates of BPs in the BPM
  • Obligation to participate in a 4C training
01 April System Update 1
  • Clarification: 4C audit report – Which cycle to use in a recertification audit
  • Non-conformities identified in previous audits
  • Completeness and correctness of BPM data
  • Use of old versions of the 4C logo

Legend

  • BPC = Buyers of Processed Coffee
  • BPM = Business Partner Map
  • CB = Certification Body
  • FB = Final Buyer(s)
  • IB = Intermediary Buyer(s)
  • IP = Improvement Plan
  • ME = Managing Entity