UTZ Certified, an Amsterdam-based program and a label for sustainable farming of cocoa, coffee and tea, published a new code of conduct that, it says, is stronger in content and simpler in structure. The code focuses on management practices and elaborates more on climate change adaptation. There is also greater emphasis on measures for preventing, monitoring and remediating child labor, increasing women’s participation and reaching more smallholders. The simpler language of the new structure—consisting of one core code and commodity specific modules—allows more farmers to join the UTZ program.
By focusing more on management practices in the farm, the new code is expected to lead farmers to take informed decisions, while increasing farm profitability over the long term. Farmers will also be guided in adaptation measures to prepare them for unpredictable weather events in tropical areas due to climate change.