Document Library

System Documents

Name of Document	Languages
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

Supporting Documents

Name of Document	For Producing Groups (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

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 (draft)	English
	Audit Checklist v.4.0	English, Spanish, Portugues
	Business Partner Map (BPM) v.4.1		English
	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
Gender Equality Add-On	4C Audit Checklist_ Gender Equality_v.1.0	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
Food Security Add-On	Business Partner Map (BPM) v.4.0	English, Spanish

Portal

Direct access to the Portal for 4C System Users

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.

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

4C Certification · Document Library

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