 | Brief introduction to
UTZ CERTIFIED | |
UTZ CERTIFIED is a standard established by a private organisation, with its headquarter in the Netherlands (www.utzcertified.org). Originally, it was only a coffee certification program, but is now extending to other commodities, like cocoa and palm oil. UTZ CERTIFIED has a growing market share in an increasing number of consumer countries. CERES is an approved third party certifier for UTZ. The following only focuses on coffee. CERES does not cover other crops under UTZ so far.
Coffee growers (individual farms or smallholder groups) can be certified against the UTZ Code of Conduct. Coffee processors and traders can be certified against the Chain of Custody standard, which only addresses questions of traceability.
Some Basic Requirements:
- Traceability of the coffee back to the farmer must be assured
- Good record keeping
- Good quality seedlings should be used
- Maintain soil fertility, avoid soil erosion
- Expertise on fertilizers and pesticides
- Records on fertilizer and pesticide application
- Safe storage of fertilizers and pesticides
- Avoid environmental pollution through fertilizers and pesticides
- Use only pesticides officially registered in the country, no products banned in the EU, USA or Japan
- Safe pesticide handling, protective equipment for workers/farmers
- Hygienic post harvest handling, avoid contact with soil or other sources of contamination
- Humidity control of harvested coffee
- Calibration of weight scales or other measuring tools
- Use clean water for pulping, avoid water pollution by mucilage
- Comply with national laws concerning minimum wages, child labour, working hours, pensions, etc.
- Workers freedom of association, no discrimination
- Decent living conditions for workers living onsite
- Wildlife conservation
Steps to UTZ certification:
- Registration with UTZ Foundation at www.utzcertified.org
- Application to CERES
- Quotation, Contract
- Pre-payment (50%)
- Self evaluation (including an internal control system in case of smallholder organisations!)
- Onsite inspection by CERES
- Inspection report: 100% of "Major Musts" and 95% of "Minor Musts" need to be complied with
- ... if not: Corrective actions have to be implemented
- Final payment
- Issuance of certificate
! | Please be aware that this is only a selection of essential requirements of the organic standards, meant as an introduction. The operator, of course, has to learn about and meet all requirements of the respective standard. |
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