GCP Recognizes Three More Companies Aligning on Coffee Sustainability
BONN – Qahwa World
The Global Coffee Platform (GCP) has announced the recognition of three new sustainability schemes as equivalent to the Coffee Sustainability Reference Code (Coffee SR Code), 2nd party assurance. This reflects growing momentum among GCP members to adopt a shared reference for credible, consistent approaches to coffee sustainability.
The newly recognized schemes are:
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CROP by COFCO
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VSS Midori Protocol by MITSUI
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Responsibillyty by illycaffé
“These recognitions reflect our members’ commitment to aligning around a shared vision of coffee sustainability. Each company has demonstrated how their schemes follow the principles of sustainable coffee production, supporting farmers, workers, and landscapes,” said Annette Pensel, GCP Executive Director.
These three join 29 other schemes that have completed GCP’s rigorous Equivalence Mechanism process, which assesses alignment with the economic, social, and environmental principles of the Coffee SR Code, as well as governance, standard-setting, assurance, data management, and claims integrity. With this addition, a total of 32 sustainability schemes are now recognized by GCP under either 2nd or 3rd party assurance systems.
“We welcome these members’ efforts to strengthen transparency and consistency in sustainability initiatives, contributing to a clearer, more comparable landscape for the coffee sector,” added Pensel.
Sector Alignment for Coffee Sustainability
“Recognition reflects a rigorous process requiring deep understanding of the Coffee SR Code and a commitment to continuous improvement in sustainability,” said Gabriel Chavez, GCP Manager, Sustainable Sourcing.
The Equivalence Mechanism assessment was conducted independently in partnership with the International Trade Centre, creator of the Standards Map.
The newly recognized schemes will be eligible for the Sustainable Coffee Purchases 2026 Report, published in 2027. Through GCP’s Collective Reporting initiative, roasters and retailers report sustainable coffee volumes using common metrics to enhance comparability, transparency, and accountability.
Together, the Coffee SR Code, Equivalence Mechanism, and Collective Reporting form a globally aligned framework promoting credible, inclusive, and practical coffee sustainability while supporting members’ own sustainability goals.
“Each new recognition strengthens a more reliable and aligned sustainability landscape. It’s encouraging to see companies invest in robust systems,” said Chavez.
GCP will review and strengthen the Coffee SR Code and Equivalence Mechanism in 2026, inviting members to contribute to shaping a stronger global reference for sustainable coffee. This announcement concludes the current recognition cycle under Equivalence Mechanism 2.0.
Recognized Sustainability Schemes
3rd Party Assurance Systems:
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4C
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Fairtrade International, Small Producer Organization and Coffee Standard
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Fair Trade USA Agriculture Production Standard
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Rainforest Alliance Sustainable Agriculture Standard
2nd Party Assurance Systems:
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Agri Evolve’s ACE
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Comexim’s Green Trace
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Coocacer’s Café Sustentável
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Cooxupé’s Gerações
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COFCO’s CROP
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ECOM’s SMS Verified
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Enveritas’ Enveritas Green
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Expocacer’s ECO
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Exportadora de Café Guaxupé’s Guaxupé Planet
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HACOFCO’s CONNECT
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illycaffé’s Responsibillyty
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Louis Dreyfus Company’s Responsible Sourcing Program Advanced
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Minasul’s LEGACY Protocol
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MITSUI’s VSS Midori Protocol
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Montesanto Tavares Group’s GMT Green
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Nespresso AAA Sustainable Quality™ Program
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Neumann Kaffee Gruppe’s NKG BLOOM and NKG Verified
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ofi’s AtSourceV and AtSource+
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Perhusa’s ARTS
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Racafé’s CRECER
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3E® by RGC Coffee
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Touton’s PACT
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Volcafe’s Volcafe Verified and Volcafe Excellence
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Westrock Coffee Company’s RAÍZ Sustainability™
