On March 6-7, 2014, the International Cocoa Organization, in collaboration with the UNFSS, held The Second International Workshop on Cocoa Certification: Direct Dialogue Between The Industry and Producing Countries in Zurich, Switzerland on the issue of Sustainability Standards in the cocoa sector. At the event were over 70 participants from Europe, the United States, Africa, Latin America and South-East Asia, representing cocoa producers, governments from cocoa exporting and importing countries, the cocoa and chocolate industry, certification bodies, civil society and international agencies.
The two-day event focused on assisting existing and emerging national and international sustainability-related standards to develop a common framework, using a set of commonly agreed pre-competitive, minimum requirements, up to a threshold level. The discussion built upon a background document prepared and presented by Ms. Aimee Russillo, which looked at the common areas between private, national and international standards. Along with very interesting panel sessions, breakout groups discussed the common reference document and recommendations for moving the issue forward; identifying key areas that need to be addressed to have standards function as an effective tool for sustainable development; including investment in farmer support and sustainable trade.
The workshop concluded that the common reference framework should be used in the ICCO adopted process of members developing national strategies and PPPs on sustainable cocoa production and trade. The UNFSS was asked to continue its support of this process. The results were presented to the ICCO Consultative Board during its session the following week.
For more information please see the attached documents:
- Draft Outcomes Second International Workshop on Cocoa Certification
- ICCO Report of the Consultative Board pg 3 pts 14-20
- For background information on the event, on the ICCO website: Direct dialogue on certification set for Zurich in March
