• New version 1.4 of the Sustainable Farming Standard launches October 2025

• Focus on deforestation, climate, livelihoods, and EU regulatory compliance

• Two million producers in West and Central Africa benefit from the program

The Rainforest Alliance has announced a major update to its agricultural certification program, aiming to strengthen sustainability across global value chains. The new framework was presented in Abidjan in response to evolving international regulations and rising challenges linked to deforestation, climate change, and hardships facing farming communities.

At the core of this update is version 1.4 of the organization’s Standard for Sustainable Farming, which will take effect in October 2025. The revised standard simplifies existing requirements by removing non-essential elements while retaining those deemed most effective. The NGO noted that future audits will be more targeted to ease the workload of farmers, auditors, and supply chain actors.

Data collection has also been streamlined, with a centralized indicator system and upgraded digital tools and training. These adjustments are based on feedback from farmers and companies currently using the certification platform.

In parallel, the Rainforest Alliance is launching three optional certification modules focusing on regenerative agriculture, climate, and livelihoods. These modules can be integrated into the main certification or used independently, allowing farmers to highlight specific practices and enabling businesses to document environmental commitments.

The update is partly driven by the need to help companies comply with the European Union’s new Regulation Against Deforestation (RDUE). This rule prohibits the sale of products such as cocoa and coffee in the EU if sourced from land deforested after December 2020.

To address this, the Rainforest Alliance has incorporated RDUE-aligned criteria into its platform. Producers may adopt these criteria voluntarily. The organization also offers AI-powered remote sensing tools to monitor deforestation risks and a traceability system for certified products, all provided at no additional cost to producers.

In West and Central Africa, home to much of the world's cocoa cultivation, the organization estimates that around two million farmers and agricultural workers benefit from its program. In Ghana’s Sui River region, the Alliance is actively supporting land regeneration, reforestation, and local economic development.

Studies cited by the NGO suggest that certified farms tend to achieve higher yields and better product quality compared to non-certified ones, although outcomes may vary. The Rainforest Alliance maintains that its certification system will continue evolving to meet both local needs and global sustainability demands.