Coffee certifications guide
Which certifications and requirements apply to coffee, what each one demands and what evidence OrigenLedger keeps with the lot to prove it.
Regulatory
EUDR due diligence
Body: European Union, Regulation (EU) 2023/1115
Mandatory to sell coffee in the European Union, following the regulation’s current timeline. The importer must submit a due diligence statement proving the coffee does not come from deforested land.
What it requires
- • Geolocation of every plot: a point for plots up to 4 ha and a polygon for larger ones
- • No deforestation or forest degradation after 31 December 2020
- • Production compliant with the laws of the country of origin
What OrigenLedger records
- • Plot coordinates or polygon linked to the lot
- • Harvest date and chain of custody up to shipment
- • Downloadable evidence package for the importer’s statement
Quality
Specialty coffee (SCA)
Body: Specialty Coffee Association and Q Grader cuppers
Not a farm certification but a lot grade: 80 points or more in cupping makes it specialty coffee.
What it requires
- • Cupping with the SCA protocol by a certified cupper
- • Green coffee with 10–12 % moisture and defects within the grade limits
- • A representative sample of the lot
What OrigenLedger records
- • SCA score and cupping form
- • Cupper name and date
- • Moisture, screen size and defect count from the mill
Sustainability
Rainforest Alliance
Body: Rainforest Alliance, with accredited auditors
Certifies sustainable farming practices: forest and biodiversity protection, labour rights and producer livelihoods.
What it requires
- • Comply with the current Sustainable Agriculture Standard
- • Zero deforestation and protection of natural ecosystems
- • Periodic audits of the farm or producer group
What OrigenLedger records
- • Certificate number and validity
- • Certified farm or group the lot belongs to
- • Automatic alert before expiry
Sustainability
Fairtrade
Body: Fairtrade International, audited by FLOCERT
Guarantees small producer organizations a minimum price and a premium for community projects.
What it requires
- • Certified small producer organization
- • Fairtrade minimum price and premium paid when sold as Fairtrade
- • Democratic governance and environmental and labour standards
What OrigenLedger records
- • FLOCERT ID of the organization
- • Certificate validity
- • Volume sold under Fairtrade terms
Organic
Organic (USDA NOP / EU)
Body: Certification bodies accredited by the USDA or the European Union
Required to sell coffee as organic in the United States (USDA NOP) or the European Union (Regulation (EU) 2018/848).
What it requires
- • At least 3 years without prohibited substances before harvest
- • Organic system plan and annual inspection
- • Separation and traceability of organic versus conventional coffee
What OrigenLedger records
- • Certificate, certification body and validity
- • Destination market covered (US, EU or both)
- • Chain of custody without mixing
Sustainability
4C
Body: 4C Services
Entry-level sustainability standard for the coffee chain, widely used by large roasters.
What it requires
- • Comply with the 4C code of conduct
- • Eliminate unacceptable practices (child labour, deforestation)
- • Third-party verification
What OrigenLedger records
- • 4C unit identifier
- • Licence validity
Origin
Designation of origin
Body: National authority of each country (for example, IMPI in Mexico or the FNC in Colombia)
Protects the name of a recognised origin, such as Café de Colombia, Café Veracruz or Café Chiapas.
What it requires
- • Production within the protected geographic area
- • Comply with the designation’s quality standard
- • Authorization of use for whoever markets under that name
What OrigenLedger records
- • Farm region and municipality within the area
- • Marketer’s authorization of use