Data collection is an important part of our sustainability approach. Certificate Holders have to collect indicator data as part of the Rainforest Alliance Certification Program.
They report indicator data in the form of data points. An example of a data point could be the amount of inorganic fertilizers (in L or kg) that was used on a specific large farm in the last calendar year.
Indicators have their own binding annex, which is linked to requirement 1.7.1. Almost all indicators are connected to specific standard requirements, and they help to monitor and evaluate practical implementation of the standard requirements.
As per requirement 1.7.1, the management of a farm group or of an individually certified farm is ultimately accountable for accurate data collection and for the reporting of data points via the Rainforest Alliance Certification Platform (RACP). Certification bodies verify and validate Certificate Holder data during audits and issue non-conformities if needed.
A guidance document will support Certificate Holders in the data collection. This guidance explains each data point in detail, with measurement units, a recommended collection method, and frequency of collection. This document is not binding but aims to serve as a practical guide for Certificate Holders. You can find the link to the guidance document in the Resources section.
You will learn more about indicators, data collection, and the responsibilities in this process in a separate course module.
The indicator data section will be released in the coming months.