The idea behind Utz Certified was to create recognition for responsible coffee producers and tools for roasters and brands to respond to a growing demand for assurance of responsibly produced coffee.

The Utz Certified program provides the assurance of responsible coffee production and sourcing that coffee drinkers expect. It answers two crucial questions for the global coffee chain:

• Where does the coffee come from?
• How was it produced?

The Utz Certified program is based on the Utz Certified Code of Conduct: A set of social and environmental criteria for responsible coffee growing practices and efficient farm management.
The Utz Certified Code of Conduct includes elements such as standards for recordkeeping, minimized and documented use of agrochemicals for crop protection, protection of labor rights and access to health care and education for employees and their families.

Coffee producers are Utz Certified when an independent certifier approved by Utz Certified determines that the producer is in compliance with the requirements of the Utz Certified Code of Conduct. This inspection is repeated annually.

A web-based track and trace system follows the Utz Certified coffee through the chain from grower to roaster. This gives buyers insight into where their coffee really comes from.
Utz Certified's Chain of Custody criteria assure that Utz Certified coffee is not mixed with non-certified coffee.

This is a set of chain-wide administrative and technical requirements for traceability. These requirements include criteria for separation of Utz Certified coffee and non-Utz Certified coffee, and keeping records of direct suppliers and buyers.

For more information please see www.utzcertified.org