Fairtrade expands human rights requirements in updated Cocoa Standard

Fairtrade expands human rights requirements in updated Cocoa Standard

  • Published on
    December 13, 2022
  • News Source Image
  • Category:
    Supply Chain
Hero Banner

Despite decades of commitments from companies and governments, cocoa production still entails considerable social and environmental harm around the world, but robust certification systems have the potential to help companies source more sustainable cocoa.  

This week, Fairtrade announced its updated Cocoa Standard ahead of upcoming sustainability and due diligence legislation. The reinforced focus on human rights, traceability and transparency, and deforestation will likely have a positive impact on the sector. Nevertheless, companies should not rely solely on certification to address supply chain risks.  

New program to reduce child and forced labor 

Among the latest changes, which will take effect over the next two years, is a renewed focus on the prevention of child labor and forced labor. The updated Standard calls on producer organizations to improve on the implementation of monitoring and remediation systems and on commercial actors to enhance their support of producer organizations in this area. 

Fairtrade will also create its own program. Sam Dormer, Fairtrade Foundation’s Global Product Manager for Cocoa, writes: 

During the consultation process many stakeholders made clear the need for further support for producer organizations on human rights issues. That is why Fairtrade is also announcing the creation of Fairtrade’s Programme for Child Labour and Forced Labour Prevention and Remediation. The programme will provide contributions to Ivorian and Ghanaian cocoa producer organizations implementing quality prevention and remediation interventions that are now required in the Cocoa Standard.

The program will be launched with €450,000 of Fairtrade funding and could be scaled up with financial support from companies and other actors. 

Move toward first-mile traceability 

The updated Standard also has the potential to increase traceability across the sector, which is essential for companies to be able to truly assess and address the risks of human rights violations and environmental harm in their cocoa supply chains.  

The updates will require producers to use product tracing and documentation systems that enable first-mile traceability. Organizations will then be able to map members’ farms and record the cocoa they buy from each farm.   

Certification is not a silver bullet 

Freedom United welcomes Fairtrade’s updated Cocoa Standard as a positive step forward for the cocoa sector, recognizing that certifications play an important role in increasing value chain transparency and in support for farmer organizations, among other benefits. 

However, we should not confuse certified cocoa with sustainable cocoa or assume that certification alone solves the multiple endemic problems in cocoa supply chains.

Indeed, as the 2022 Cocoa Barometer states: “Even though at least a third, perhaps even more than half, of all the global cocoa production is grown under a certification label or an own company sustainability label, major problems persist.” 

Join the campaign 

Almost 180,000 people in the Freedom United community are calling on chocolate companies to do better. They should go beyond certification, taking responsibility for the adverse impacts the production of their key ingredient has on communities and the planet.  

Join us in calling for true cocoa sustainability. Sign the petition today. 

Subscribe

Freedom United is interested in hearing from our community and welcomes relevant, informed comments, advice, and insights that advance the conversation around our campaigns and advocacy. We value inclusivity and respect within our community. To be approved, your comments should be civil.

stop icon A few things we do not tolerate: comments that promote discrimination, prejudice, racism, or xenophobia, as well as personal attacks or profanity. We screen submissions in order to create a space where the entire Freedom United community feels safe to express and exchange thoughtful opinions.

Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Most Voted
Newest Oldest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

This week

Afghani migrants describe trafficking crisis as "paths of death"

Migrants fleeing Afghanistan’s political and economic instability are increasingly falling prey to human trafficking networks in neighboring countries. A recent study by Amu highlights the systemic exploitation occurring in migrant camps designed to house undocumented Afghans, where trafficking networks operate with near impunity. “Migrant camps, often established to manage undocumented migrants, have become fertile ground for human trafficking

| Thursday November 28, 2024

Read more