Multi-Stakeholder Initiative

The 4C Code of Conduct

The 4C Code of Conduct was developed in a participatory and transparent multi-stakeholder process involving coffee producers, trade and industry as well as various civil society organizations from around the world. In line with the recommendations of the ISEAL Alliance for credible sustainability standard systems, the 4C Code of Conduct is reviewed, and revised if necessary, at an interval of every five years in a multi-stakeholder process. Once the document revision is finalized, the new 4C Code of Conduct is communicated to all 4C System users with the need to be implemented after a reasonable transition period of six to twelve months, depending on the changes made.

The 4C Board

The 4C Board (since 2017) has an advisory function and supports the management in particular strategic issues. The 4C Board consists of representatives of 4C stakeholder groups (coffee growers, traders, roasters, retailers, brand owners, civil society organizations, research). The 4C Board is chaired by an independent Chairperson who is supported by Vice Chairperson. Role and responsibilities of the 4C Board, as well as decision-making mechanisms, are transparently described in the 4C Advisory Board By-Law of the 4C Board which is publicly available on the 4C website. To get to know the current members of the 4C Board, please click here.

Stakeholder Feedback

Stakeholders do have the possibility to engage with 4C by giving feedback to the system through public consultations, directly via email, webforms, over telephone or in person or through the participation at our globally and regionally organized stakeholder conferences.

Certification Bodies (CBs) are another important stakeholder group for 4C. In the framework of regular trainings, meetings and/or webinars specifically convened for the representatives of recognized CBs cooperating with 4C, CBs can provide feedback in relation to the daily application of 4C to facilitate the continuous improvements of the 4C System.

4C Engagement into External Multi-Stakeholder Processes

4C Services is a member of the Global Coffee Platform (GCP) and custodian of its Baseline Common Code. Additionally, 4C Services is a member of the Technical Committee of GCP and contributes to the Global Coffee Platform with technical input from a certification perspective to processes such as standard development and/or revision and interpretation. For further information on 4C memberships and partnerships, please click here.