Use of Seal Guidelines - Rainforest Alliance

april 2014Requirements andGuidelines for Use ofthe Rainforest AllianceTrademarks

The Rainforest SectionAlliance worksto conservebiodiversityand ensuresustainablelivelihoods bytransformingland-usepractices,businesspractices andconsumerbehavior.www.rainforestalliance.orgThis documentmay beoccasionallyupdated,replacingany versionspreviouslyissued. Thecurrent versionof this documentis available at:www.rainforestalliance.org/marketingContentsIntroduction 31. Overview 42. Design Specifications 63. The Rainforest Alliance Logo 104. The Rainforest Alliance Verified Mark 125. The Rainforest Alliance Certified Seal 166. Sourcing and Labeling Rules forRainforest Alliance Certified Farm Products 207. Labeling Rules for Rainforest AllianceCertified Forest Products 32IntroductionThis document contains the comprehensiverules and guidelines that govern the use ofthe Rainforest Alliance trademarks. It describesall current permissions and limitations relatedto use of the Rainforest Alliance logo, theRainforest Alliance Verified mark, and theRainforest Alliance Certified seal.The purpose of this publication is to protect thevalue and integrity of the Rainforest Alliancetrademarks, and to assist businesses and individualsin developing packaging and marketingmaterials that promote the sustainability aspectsof their products, practices, or services.By supporting independent third-party certification,sourcing Rainforest Alliance Certifiedproducts, or being verified through our forestry,carbon or tourism initiatives you are helpingconsumers make informed choices about theproducts and services they purchase.We are working to support your efforts byallowing you to use the Rainforest Alliancetrademarks. More and more users are reportingthat inclusion of the Rainforest Alliance Certifiedseal or Rainforest Alliance Verified mark is animportant component of their brand claims. Weare happy to provide this service to help youpromote your sustainably produced goods andservices.The Rainforest Alliance works with producers,manufacturers and consumers who are committedto protecting biodiversity, conservingresources for the good of the planet and futuregenerations, and ensuring that workers, theirfamilies and communities are treated well.The Rainforest Alliance has programs in forestry,agriculture, carbon and tourism. Each of theseprograms supports credible third-party certificationas a tool to ensure that the highest environmentaland social standards are followed. Ourprograms impact millions of people worldwide,and recognition of the Rainforest Alliance nameis growing on a global basis every day.To learn more about our programs, please visit:www.rainforest-alliance.org.Introduction23

Design Specsensure highest visibility. Scaling the size of eachmark to the size of the packaging or marketingmaterial is required. Refer to Section 6 for tieredsizing guidelines for agricultural products.Preferred placement of the statement is directlybelow or to the right of the mark. In somecircumstances alternative placement of thestatement may be approved.Design SpecsOn packaging and marketing materials with morethan one Rainforest Alliance mark in the layout,the initial or most prominent Rainforest Alliancemark must adhere to the sizing guidelines.Reduced sizing may be approved for secondary(additional) marks in the design, or for very smallproducts or materials where the recommendedsizes will not fit. Refer to Section 7 for further informationabout sizing ratios for forest products.Examples of acceptable placement of thequalifying statement or disclaimer text areprovided on the following page.2.6 BackgroundsBackground colors or patterns must not showthrough the Rainforest Alliance marks.2. Design SpecificationsThe following specifications are particularlyrelevant to graphic designers, agencies andart directors who design materials that includethe Rainforest Alliance marks, including theRainforest Alliance logo, the Rainforest AllianceVerified (RAV) mark and the Rainforest AllianceCertified (RAC) seal. See Section 6 (for farmproducts) or Section 7 (for forest products) foradditional design requirements regarding use ofthe Rainforest Alliance Certified seal on productsand retail packaging.2.1 File FormatsOnce necessary agreements are signed andreceived, the Rainforest Alliance will furnishappropriate artwork files in EPS format. Artworkis also available in JPG and GIF file formats.EPS Best for printing. File retains proper transparencyfor maintaining border on direct stickersand on-product printing.JPG Good for websites or other low-resolutionapplications. File does not retain transparency.GIF Best for PowerPoint presentations and Worddocuments.applicable to the Rainforest Alliance. The marksshould be placed prominently in order to maximizevisibility and recognition.To ensure the highest visual impact of theRainforest Alliance marks, a minimum clear areamust be maintained. Clear space around eachmark should be approximately 20% of the widthof the mark. No other elements should appear inthis space.2.4 Approved ColorThe Rainforest Alliance marks are available ineither green and white for color applications,or black and white for grayscale applications.Whenever possible, the marks should appear inPantone® 625 green or the equivalent CMYK orRGB values below.For Print (CMYK)56 Cyan0 Magenta44 Yellow33 BlackFor Screen and Web (RGB)77 Red145 Green123 BluePANTONE®625In special cases only, where marks and text areprinted in white onto a color background, theymay be approved in a reverse white format.2.5 Placement of Qualifying Statementsand DisclaimersMany uses of the Rainforest Alliance marksinclude a qualifying statement or disclaimer toimprove consumer understanding and increaseawareness of the benefits of Rainforest Alliance’swork.The RAC seal is set on a white interior background,with a thin white outline around the edgeto ensure it stands out from any background.The Rainforest Alliance logo and RAV markshould be set within a white or neutral box withan approved qualifying statement. The text of thestatement must be at least 50 percent of the sizeof the logo or mark and appear within the box.Examples of correct and incorrect use of themarks are shown on the following pages.2.7 Contact InformationAll proposed uses of the Rainforest Alliancemarks must be submitted to the RainforestAlliance for prior written approval. Specialexceptions to these design specifications maybe considered and approved depending on thecircumstances.Please e-mail inquiries regarding these designspecifications to:trademarks@ra.org2.2 Placement2.3 Size GuidelinesTo ensure that the Rainforest Alliance marksare never compromised, each mark should standalone so that it does not compete with existingtext, graphics or images, including other certificationmarks.The marks should never be displayed in a positionwhere they could be confused with a businessname, or a brand name of a product, or in anyway that implies endorsement of initiatives notFollowing minimum size guidelines ensures thatthe Rainforest Alliance marks are legible in allapplications. To avoid the appearance of productsor services being produced or sold by theRainforest Alliance, the marks should always besmaller or less dominant than the primary brandname, business name, or logos.On large marketing materials such as banners ordisplays, the size of the mark must be increasedproportionately to the size of the material to67

Design SpecsExamples of Acceptable Placement of the Qualifying Statement or Disclaimer TextExamples of Incorrect Use of the Rainforest Alliance MarksDesign SpecsA. B. C.Over 75%Certified Tea30% CertifiedOrange JuiceWith 30% certifiedcoffee now, we’reworking towardsbuying all our coffeefrom RainforestAlliance Certified TMfarms by 2015!aCINCORRECTBDINCORRECTThe following are visual examples ofsome common incorrect uses of theRainforest Alliance marks.Please do not:A. Change the color of the marks.B. Place the mark in a bordered boxor circle.C. Alter the design or content in anyway.Examples of Correct Use of the Rainforest Alliance Marks with BackgroundsaBThe following visual examples showcorrect use of the Rainforest Alliancemarks.A. The RAC seal is shown properlyplaced on a solid color backgroundB. The RAC seal is shown properlyplaced on variegated backgroundEMY BRAND IDENTITYINCORRECTFINCORRECTD. Pull graphic elements, such as thefrog, out of the mark.E. Decrease the size below 3/4 inch(19 mm) wide.*Except in conjunction with the FSC mark.F. Use the previous RainforestAlliance Certified seal, retired in2007.CDC. The black and white seal is for printingon black and white materials only.1/2 inch (12.5 mm)G. Allow background colors to showthrough.D. The reversed white seal may only beused where other text and graphicsare also being printed in white orknockouts over a darker background.GINCORRECT*INCORRECTEE. RAV mark is shown properly placedin a white box with a sample qualifyingstatement.F. The Rainforest Alliance logo is shownproperly placed in a white box with asample qualifying statement.INCORRECTFProud supporter of the RainforestAlliance’s work to protectbiodiversity, conserve resourcesfor the good of the planet andfuture generations, and ensurethat workers, their families andcommunities are treated well.8 9

Logo3. The Rainforest Alliance LogoThe Rainforest Alliance logo is the organizationalbrand mark and should not be confusedwith the Rainforest Alliance Certified seal orthe Rainforest Alliance Verified mark.Use of the logo may be approved on a case-bycasebasis for general illustrative and promotionaluse, or to promote cause marketing relationships,SmartSource relationships, or other relationshipswith the Rainforest Alliance.Businesses and operations licensed to use theRainforest Alliance Certified (RAC) seal orRainforest Alliance Verified (RAV) mark maynot use the Rainforest Alliance logo. The logomust never appear on product packaging orlabels, nor be used to directly promote products.Any and all use of the Rainforest Alliance logorequires prior written approval.In publications or websites that reference theRainforest Alliance, the logo should appearwithin or in close proximity to the article or mentionof the Rainforest Alliance.Any use of the logo to promote a relationship orcollaboration with the Rainforest Alliance mustappear with a pre-approved statement that accuratelydescribes the nature of the relationship.3.2 Cause Marketing RelationshipsCorporations are key collaborators in advancingour cause, particularly by bringing resources tobear through creative cause marketing relationshipsthat draw attention to issues of paramountimportance. Corporate sponsorship of theRainforest Alliance may be tailored to allowlimited use of the Rainforest Alliance logo.with the Rainforest Alliance. The statement mustinclude a URL linking to a web page with moreinformation.3.3 SmartSource and TOPSRelationshipsBusinesses that work with Rainforest Alliance toimprove sustainability practices, such as increasedsourcing of Rainforest Alliance Certifiedproducts, may be permitted to use the RainforestAlliance logo in certain circumstances. TheRainforest Alliance logo is limited to off-productuse and may only be displayed on promotionalmaterials or websites.Through our SmartSource program, theRainforest Alliance helps forest-product businessesestablish more responsible purchasingpractices.SmartSource helps forestry businesses analyzetheir supply chain, better understand their sourcingrisks and develop solutions to address theirspecific challenges. Forestry businesses engagedin the SmartSource program may be permitted touse the logo.Tour operators that share our belief that sustainabletourism can help conserve nature andgenerate sustainable livelihoods may join theRainforest Alliance’s international group of TourOperators Promoting Sustainability (TOPS).Participants in the TOPS program may be grantedlimited use of the Rainforest Alliance logo.To be eligible to use the Rainforest Alliance logo,businesses must sign a contract or a memorandumof understanding that includes a license forlogo use.The Rainforest Alliance logo must never appearon product packaging. The logo must appearwith a pre-approved qualifying statement thataccurately describes the relationship with theRainforest Alliance. The statement must describeaccomplishments or on-going activities, not futureintentions, and should include a URL linkingto a web page with more information.3.4 Qualifying StatementsThe Rainforest Alliance logo and its accompanyingqualifying statement must not be usedin any way that could be misconstrued as anendorsement, certification or verification by theRainforest Alliance.Users of the logo should work with the RainforestAlliance to develop a suitable qualifying statement.All statements must be pre-approved. SeeSection 2 for examples of how the statementshould appear with the logo.3.5 All Use Requires ApprovalUnauthorized use of the Rainforest Alliance logois strictly prohibited. Except for media professionals,no one under any circumstances maycopy, reproduce or otherwise use the logo withoutreceiving prior approval from the RainforestAlliance. The Rainforest Alliance reserves theright to take legal action against any party thatreproduces or copies the Rainforest Alliance logowithout prior written authorization.3.6 Contact InformationE-mail questions and requests for logo use to:trademarks@ra.org.Logo3.1 General Use of the LogoMedia professionals and publishers may use thelogo for illustrative purposes. Organizations orindividuals, such as grantors, foundations orproject collaborators that wish to promote theirrelationship with the Rainforest Alliance, andthat have a written agreement for logo use mayalso be permitted to use the logo.Businesses with which the Rainforest Allianceengages in a cause marketing relationship, andwhich have signed a written agreement thatincludes a license for logo use, may be approvedto display the logo on materials or websites.When used to promote a cause marketingrelationship, the logo must appear with a preapprovedstatement that describes the relationshipUse of the Rainforest Alliance LogoWho uses it:Media publications, collaborators.In some circumstancesbusinesses that are not eligible touse the other Rainforest Alliancemarks may be granted specialpermission to use the logo.Where:Off-product only. May bedisplayed on marketing materials,websites, and some corporatematerials. Must never bedisplayed on product packagingor product marketing materials.How:Must be accompanied by a preapprovedqualifying statement ordescriptive text. Refer to Section2 for detailed design specificationsfor use of the logo.1011

RAV MarkExamples of Approved Qualifying Statements for Use with the RAV MarkRAV Mark4. The Rainforest AllianceVerified MarkThe Rainforest Alliance Verified markencourages the responsible use of naturalresources and promotes a healthy market systemthat values sustainable production, sourcing andequitable trade.Businesses that display the Rainforest AllianceVerified (RAV) mark are taking measurablesteps to reduce their impacts on the planet andlocal communities, as verified by the RainforestAlliance. Use of the RAV mark is currentlyawarded to verified tourism businesses, carbonprojects, and certain forestry operations that meetcriteria developed or endorsed by the RainforestAlliance.4.1 Use of the RAV MarkThe RAV mark may only be used on off-productmarketing and public information materials.Examples of off-product materials includeadvertisements, brochures, posters, calendars,newsletters, websites, multimedia presentationsand video productions.The RAV mark may not be used on productlabels. The mark must always be accompaniedby an approved statement that identifies theRainforest Alliance initiative or standard relatedUse of the Rainforest Alliance Verified MarkWho uses it:Forest carbon, tourism, andcertain forestry enterprises/projects that meet verificationcriteria developed or supportedby the Rainforest Alliance.Where:Off-product only. May be displayedon marketing materials,print and video advertisements,websites and corporate materials.Must never be displayed onproduct packaging.to its use. Any use of the RAV mark requires awritten agreement and prior approval.4.2 Verification InitiativesBusinesses, projects and operations that havereached appropriate milestones as set forth andverified by the following Rainforest Allianceinitiatives may apply for use of the RAV mark:• SmartLogging• SmartStep Forestry verification• Verification of High Conservation Value Forest• Generic Chain of Custody forestry certificationor verification• Carbon project verification under third partystandards• Verification of sustainable tourism requirementsfor tourism businesses (hotels, etc.)4.3 Qualifying StatementsThe RAV mark must include a qualifyingstatement that clearly identifies the standard orrequirements related to its use. The statementmust appear in close proximity to the RAV mark.How:Must be accompanied by a preapprovedqualifying statement ordescription. Refer to Section 2for detailed design specificationsfor use of the verification mark.Forestry and Wood Products• Meets Rainforest Alliance requirements forSmartLogging• Meets Rainforest Alliance requirements forVerification of High Conservation Value Forests• Meets Rainforest Alliance requirements forGeneric Chain-of-Custody• Verified as meeting Rainforest Alliance minimumentry level requirements for SmartStepSee Section 2 for an example of the RAVmark with proper placement of the qualifyingstatement.The box above provides examples of approvedqualifying statements for use with the RAV mark.While statements may be customized and submittedfor approval, once the Rainforest Allianceapproves the statement, it must not be altered inany way without resubmitting for approval.4.4 All Use Requires ApprovalUnauthorized use of the RAV mark is strictlyprohibited. Except for media professionals, noone under any circumstances may copy, reproduceor otherwise use the mark without receivingprior written approval from the RainforestAlliance. The Rainforest Alliance reserves theright to take legal action against any party thatreproduces or copies the RAV mark without priorauthorization.4.5 Approval Procedures for Forestryand Carbon Initiatives1. Verification holder submits a draft of thepromotional item containing the RAV mark tothe Rainforest Alliance.2. The draft is reviewed according to the rulesand guidelines described in this document.a. The Rainforest Alliance makes everyeffort to review and respond to submissionwithin five days or sooner.b. If any required elements are missing orincorrect, the verification holder is notified bythe Rainforest Alliance Trademark Agent viae-mail (via fax or telephone if e-mail is notavailable).Carbon Projects• Project verified by the Rainforest Alliance asmeeting the [initiative name] StandardTourism Operators• Verified as meeting Rainforest Alliancesustainable tourism requirementsc. The verification holder edits as necessaryand sends the revised material for a secondreview.3. Once the promotional piece is in compliancewith all of the elements required by the rulesand guidelines described in this document, theRainforest Alliance Trademark Agent sendsformal approval to the verification holder witha copy of the approved use of the RAV mark.4. The verification holder must retain a copy ofthe documented approval and approved markuse in their files as it may be requested bythe Rainforest Alliance at some time in thefuture.4.6 Approval Procedures for TourismInitiatives1. Verification holder e-mails a draft of the promotionalitem containing the RAV mark forreview to: sustainabletourismmark@ra.org.2. The draft is reviewed using the followingprocedure:a. The Rainforest Alliance makes everyeffort to review and respond to submissionwithin five days or sooner.b. If any required elements are missing orincorrect, the verification holder is notified bye-mail (via fax or telephone if e-mail is notavailable).c. The verification holder edits as necessaryand sends the revised material for a secondreview.d. The verification holder’s response time tothese edits will impact the turnaround timefor any submissions that are not in initialcompliance with the guidelines.1213

RAV Mark3. Once the use of the mark is in compliance,contact your regional RA-Cert representative.A list of regional offices is available online:rainforest-alliance.org/about/racert/contactOr email trademarks@ra.org4. The verification holder must retain a copy ofthe documented approval and approved markuse in their files as it may be requested by theRainforest Alliance at some time in the future.4.7 Contact InformationPlease contact the appropriate initiative belowfor requests to use the RAV mark or with anyquestions regarding its use.Forestry and CarbonContact your Rainforest Alliance representative.A list of regional offices is available online:www.rainforest-alliance.org/about/racert/contactTourismSend an e-mail to:sustainabletourismmark@ra.org14

RAC Seal5. The Rainforest AllianceCertified SealAn increasingly recognized symbol, theRainforest Alliance Certified seal assuresconsumers that products from farms and forestsare produced using environmentally and sociallyresponsible practices.The Rainforest Alliance Certified (RAC) seal isused to label and market products from farmsand forests certified by an accredited certificationbody as meeting the rigorous, third-partystandards of the Sustainable Agriculture Network(SAN) or the Forest Stewardship Council(FSC).The RAC seal can be found in retail outlets,university campuses, corporate offices, hotelsand tourism destinations, restaurants, lumberyards, woodworking shops, catalogs, printedpublications and many other places throughoutthe world, especially in Europe, North America,Japan, Australia and Brazil.5.1 Use of the RAC SealThe RAC seal may be used on products, productUse of the Rainforest Alliance Certified SealWho uses it:Farm enterprises certifiedto Sustainable AgricultureNetwork standards. Forestproductsenterprises certifiedby the Rainforest Alliance toForest Stewardship Councilstandards. Businesses with asigned written agreement thatsell products from these certifiedfarms or forests.Where:On products, and marketingmaterials that promote products,from Rainforest Alliance Certifiedforests or farms. On certifiedforest products and promotionalmaterials the certification sealaccompaies an approved ForestStewardship Council label.packaging and on marketing and public informationmaterials that promote products bearing theseal.Product packaging includes retail packages, productlabels, lumber tags, coffee cups, fruit stickers,etc. Off-product materials include product-relatedwebsites, social media, advertisements, pressreleases, posters, and other promotional items.Businesses that source products and ingredientsfrom farms certified to the SAN standards mayuse the RAC seal to promote these products. Woodand paper products from operations certified asmeeting the standards for FSC Forest Managementcertification or FSC Chain-of-Custody certificationmay also be marketed with the RAC seal intandem with the FSC trademarks.The RAC seal should be placed prominentlyon the front of product packaging in order tomaximize visibility and consumer recognition.In many cases the RAC seal should be accompaniedby a qualifying statement or disclaimerHow:Used alone or accompaniedby a pre-approved qualifyingstatement or disclaimer. Referto Section 2 for detailed designspecifications related to use ofthe certification seal.in accordance with product-specific sourcingand labeling requirements. Use of the RAC sealrequires prior approval and a written agreementwith the Rainforest Alliance.5.2 Labeling and Marketing ProductsThe most common use of the RAC seal is onproduct labels and packaging. Businesses arestrongly encouraged to incorporate the RAC sealinto the design of retail product packaging. Fordetailed sourcing and labeling rules, and approvalprocedures for products bearing the RAC seal,refer to Section 6 (for farm products) or Section 7(for forest products).In some circumstances, stickers or stampsbearing the RAC seal may be approved for useon products. The seal may also be approved foruse on marketing materials to promote productsbearing the RAC seal.On-Product Use of Stickers and StampsWe recognize that some businesses may use thesame packaging or product labels for multipleproducts. Some products, such as lumber orcoffee bags used for multiple blends, may belabeled with a stamp or sticker. In these cases,the Rainforest Alliance may allow use of a clearsticker or stamp bearing the RAC seal in accordancewith design specifications in Section 2.Businesses may also create stickers or stampsthat include a custom qualifying statement or adisclosure of certified content and submit themfor approval. For convenience, printed stickersand other promotional materials may be orderedonline:www.rainforest-alliance.org/marketing/promotional-materialsOff-Product Marketing MaterialsThe RAC seal may be used on marketing materialsto promote products bearing the RAC seal.Prior to the launch of an agricultural productbearing the RAC seal, marketing materials mayinclude the seal no more than six months beforethe product launch date, and only after approvalhas been granted for use on packaging and/or apublic announcement has been made. This optionis not available for certified forest products.The seal may also be approved for use on businessmaterials such as annual reports for businessesto communicate that they are sourcingagricultural ingredients from Rainforest AllianceCertified farms or products from FSC certifiedforests. If applicable, such use must include aqualifying statement about the product(s) bearingthe RAC seal.Product WebsitesBusinesses with a written agreement to use theRAC seal are encouraged to incorporate the sealon their websites. When displayed on websites,the seal must be tied to the product it representsand/or the work of the Rainforest Alliance. Webpages that incorporate the seal or that refer to theRainforest Alliance must be submitted for reviewand approval.The Rainforest Alliance takes measures to supportbusinesses that are promoting products indifferent geographical regions where English isnot the primary language spoken. We offer informationthrough our website in French, German,Spanish, Swedish, and Japanese (e.g. www.rainforest-alliance.jp), as well as crop-specificinformation (such as www.rainforest-alliance.org/coffee).When providing a link to the Rainforest Alliancewebsite, please use the complete URL:rainforest-alliance.org including the dash in themiddle and the .org at the end to maximize searchengine effectiveness.Product Videos and Television AdsThe RAC seal may appear in videos and televisionads that promote products from RainforestAlliance Certified farms or forests. Prior tofilming, a script and/or storyboard must besubmitted to the Rainforest Alliance so that anyrequired edits can be discussed and agreed to inthe pre-production stage. Before a video containingthe RAC seal is released, a review copy mustbe provided to the Rainforest Alliance via e-mail,link or other electronic transmission for officialapproval.5.3 Non-Product-Related UseIn some circumstances, the RAC seal may beused in ways not related to direct labeling orpromotion of Rainforest Alliance Certifiedproducts. For example, the RAC seal may beused on non-product-specific materials such asmedia publications and corporate materials, oron paper products and packaging certified by theRainforest Alliance to FSC standards.Media PublicationsThe RAC seal may be used in publications or onmaterials that are not directly related to marketingcertified products. Such use includes:• Publications or media that describe RainforestAlliance certification and/or the meaning ofthe RAC seal, i.e. magazine articles, books,pamphlets, websites, documentary films orother documents or media• Lists of consumer labeling or certificationsystemsRAC Seal1617

RAC Seal• Event or conference brochures and promotionalmaterials that list the Rainforest Alliance as aparticipant, speaker, or sponsor, when the eventrelates to products that are or could be grownon Rainforest Alliance Certified farms.For media publications and other non-marketinguse of the RAC seal, the Rainforest Alliancerequests the opportunity to review and approvematerials in advance. We understand that insome circumstances this may not be feasible ormay conflict with the autonomy of the media.Whenever possible, please ensure that use of theRAC seal follows these guidelines and notify usprior to publication.Corporate MaterialsUse of the RAC seal on business identificationmaterials such as business cards or companypublications may be approved on a limited basis.Businesses and operations may use the seal onbusiness cards, farm or forest signs, brochuresand other materials for holdings that are certifiedto SAN or FSC standards by the RainforestAlliance or an accredited certification body.Businesses that handle products from RainforestAlliance Certified farms or forests may also usethe seal on business cards, wall plaques, or ine-mail signatures, annual reports, and other suchcorporate identity materials.On corporate materials the RAC seal mustclearly stand apart from the business brand orlogo, and must include a qualifying statementthat describes the related work of the RainforestAlliance. Following are examples of acceptablequalifying statements for business materials:1. We roast only Rainforest Alliance Certifiedcoffees2. Proud trader of Rainforest AllianceCertified cocoa3. Our farms are Rainforest Alliance Certified4. FSC certified by the Rainforest Alliance5.4 All Use Requires ApprovalUnauthorized use of the RAC seal is strictly prohibited.Except for media professionals, no oneunder any circumstances may copy, reproduceor otherwise use the RAC seal without receivingprior written approval from the RainforestAlliance. The Rainforest Alliance reserves theright to take legal action against any party thatreproduces or copies the RAC seal without priorwritten authorization.See Section 6 for detailed approval processes foruse of the RAC seal for farm products certifiedto SAN standards. See Section 7 for approvalprocesses for use of the seal for forest productscertified to FSC standards.5.5 Contact InformationAll proposed uses of the RAC seal must be submittedto the Rainforest Alliance for prior writtenapproval. Please contact trademarks@ra.org forsuch requests, or with questions regarding theseguidelines.18

Farm Productsin order to bear the seal on product packaging.These products must include a qualifying statementthat discloses the percentage of certifiedcontent.applicable regulations governing environmentalmarketing claims.A “core” ingredient is:Farm Products206. Sourcing and LabelingRequirements for RainforestAlliance Certified Farm ProductsThis section explains the requirements for sourcingsufficient volumes of Rainforest AllianceCertified farm products or ingredients, manufacturingthem into consumer goods, and ensuringtraceability and chain of custody throughout theprocess so that the final product will be eligible tobear the Rainforest Alliance Certified seal.6.1 Rainforest Alliance and theSustainable Agriculture NetworkThe Rainforest Alliance Certified (RAC) seal isfound in restaurants, supermarkets, airplanes,trains and hotels around the world. The sealassures consumers that products come fromfarms that are managed according to the rigorousstandards of the Sustainable Agriculture Network(SAN), where workers and their families enjoydignified, safe conditions, and where wildlife andhabitats are protected.Our comprehensive farm management standardsand traceability system ensure that certified ingredientsand products bearing the RAC seal can betraced back to well-managed farms or farm groupsthat protect workers, wildlife and communities.6.2 Percentage of Certified ContentThe percentage of certified content used in aproduct determines how the seal may be used. TheRainforest Alliance encourages businesses to use100% certified content, whenever possible, in anyproduct bearing the RAC seal.Only products that contain at least 90% RainforestAlliance Certified content can bear the RAC sealon packaging without a qualifying statement.Products are only eligible to bear the RAC sealwhen the percentage of certified content reaches aminimum of 30%. The 30% certified content levelis considered a starting point, however.Businesses selling products bearing the RAC sealwith less than 90% Rainforest Alliance Certifiedcontent are required to scale up over time andachieve 100% of the ingredient sourced fromRainforest Alliance Certified farms.6.3 Qualifying Statements and DisclaimersAll products bearing the RAC seal should includequalifying statements about the RainforestAlliance to improve consumer understanding andincrease awareness of the benefits of RainforestAlliance certification.Products that blend certified content with noncertifiedcontent may be eligible to use the RACseal, but require specific disclaimers on packagingand promotional materials to ensure transparencyand avoid misleading consumers into believing thatthe entire product comes from Rainforest AllianceCertified farms.Any claims, statements or disclaimers aboutRainforest Alliance certification must be submittedfor review and approval, including translationsmade from previously approved statements.6.4 Sourcing Single Ingredient ProductsThe Rainforest Alliance encourages businessesselling single ingredient products to source 100%of these products from Rainforest AllianceCertified farms. In order for a product to bearthe RAC seal without a disclaimer statement, theingredient must be sourced 100% from RainforestAlliance Certified farms, and no more than 10%unintentional or unforeseen mixing may occursuch that the final product sold to consumerscontains at least 90% certified content.Single ingredient products must contain a minimumof 30% Rainforest Alliance Certified contentBusinesses requesting use of the RAC seal onsingle ingredient products with less than 90%certified content must also agree to scale up thepercentage of certified content over time withspecific benchmarks and timelines under one of thefollowing two options:1. Scale up by a minimum of 15% of the totalproduct volume annually. For example, aproduct that contains 30% Rainforest AllianceCertified content would need to be at least 45%Rainforest Alliance Certified within one yearand 60% within two years.2. Develop a scale-up plan with the RainforestAlliance (see Section 6.10). This option allowsmore flexibility for businesses to work withinthe realities of sourcing, but still ultimatelyrequires every agricultural product with theRAC seal to reach 100% Rainforest AllianceCertified content over time.6.5 Labeling Single Ingredient ProductsSingle ingredient products that are sourced 100%from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms may bearthe RAC seal without a disclaimer statement on thepackaging or in marketing materials.Packaging for any single ingredient product thatcontains between 30% and 90% certified content(e.g. a blend of coffee from different origins) andbears the seal must include a qualifying statementthat communicates the percentage quantity ofcertified content. This statement must be placeddirectly below or beside the seal on the package,must be clearly legible, and should be written inthe local language to ensure consumer understanding.See examples in Section 2. Stickers with theseal alone (without a statement disclosing thepercentage of certified content) can be used only onsingle-ingredient products that contain at least 90%Rainforest Alliance Certified content.For off-product marketing materials that promoteproducts containing 30% to 90% certified content,the percentage must be disclosed somewhere in thetext near where the seal is used. This policy helpsensure that product labeling and promotion meetsapplicable regulations governing environmentalmarketing claims.6.6 Sourcing Multi-Ingredient ProductsThe Rainforest Alliance’s policy on multi-ingredientproducts is designed to assure consumers thatin any product bearing the RAC seal, a significantamount of the core ingredient and/or a significantportion of the entire product is sourced fromRainforest Alliance Certified farms. This policyis also designed to assist businesses in meeting• critical to the formulation of the product,and/or• included in the product name or described on thefront of the packaging.Examples of “core” ingredients include: cocoain a chocolate bar (including all cocoa-derivedingredients, such as cocoa mass or liquor, cocoabutter, cocoa powder), bananas in a fruit smoothie,macadamias in a macadamia nut cookie, tea leavesused to make ready-to-drink bottled tea beverages.Ingredients that would generally not be considered“core” include sweeteners (such as sugar, canejuice, stevia), flavorings (vanilla, cardamom), andoils (macadamia, soybean, palm) – unless includedin the product name or described on the front ofpackaging (such as vanilla ice cream) or if comprisinga significant percentage of a product.Products with non-core ingredients sourced 100%from RAC farms may not use the RAC seal, butthe certified ingredients may be indicated as suchin or near the list of ingredients on the package.6.7 Labeling Multi-Ingredient ProductsDepending upon the sourcing and manufacturingspecifications for the product there are threeoptions for using the RAC seal on composite ormulti-ingredient products.Option A: FULLY CERTIFIED CONTENT100% of the named core ingredient is sourced fromcertified farms, and the final product contains atleast 90% of that ingredient. This is the recommendedand most straightforward way to use theRAC seal on a composite product, and it requiresno special disclaimers on the package.The core ingredient must be identified under ornear the seal as well as in the list of ingredients.Businesses labeling products under Option Amay claim that the product “contains” or is “madefrom” [ingredient] from Rainforest AllianceCertified farms.Although not required for products labeled underthis option, inclusion of an approved qualifyingstatement explaining the Rainforest AllianceCertified program somewhere on the packageis strongly encouraged to increase consumerunderstanding.Option B: MINIMUM CERTIFIED CONTENT WITHSCALE UP PLANAt least 30% of the identified core ingredient isfrom Rainforest Alliance Certified farms, and thebusiness has a Rainforest Alliance approved plan21

Farm Productsfor scaling up supplies from certified farms of thenamed ingredient(s) to 100% content over time.With Option B, the core ingredient(s) must beidentified under or near the seal as well as inthe list of ingredients. For products with below90% certified content, the percentage of the coreingredient’s certified content must be disclosed onthe package.point of the consumer goods manufacturingfacility. In cocoa, components include beans,liquor, butter and powder.2. The combined amounts of certified core ingredientinput from each of the components mustadd up to 100% of the equivalent core ingredientoutput in the consumer product labeled withthe RAC seal.Examples of Labeling Options for Multi-Ingredient Products Bearing the RAC SealOption AOption BFarm ProductsOption C: CONTROLLED BLENDINGThis option applies to businesses manufacturing ahigh-volume, mainstream consumer product in oneor more factories, where complete segregation andphysical traceability of the certified core ingredient(i.e. cocoa) from the factory gate to the finishedproduct is not currently possible.3. Certified inputs are delivered to the factorythroughout the year according to a scheduledsourcing plan and always in advance of the firstproduction of products labeled with the RACseal. Volume reconciliation (bean equivalentfor chocolate) is required on an annual basisand calculated on documented traceability atreal conversion ratios.This option will be considered in the context ofa publicly communicated commitment to sourcingcore ingredients from Rainforest AllianceCertified farms in enough quantities to incentivizefarmers to make the necessary improvements andinvestments. It requires written approval by theRainforest Alliance and may be adapted to accommodatedifferent factory layouts.100% of the core ingredient(s) must be fromcertified farms and physical traceability is requiredfrom the farms to the factory manufacturing theconsumer product. A qualifying statement isrequired on pack and other labeling restrictionsapply (see below).Where recipe matching and segregation for allvariations of the core ingredient are not initiallypossible, the business may request a phase-inplan allowing alternative recipe components assubstitutes (i.e. cocoa beans from different origins;powder solids accounting for cocoa butter solids;certified cocoa liquor when certified butter isunavailable, etc.). In such cases, the business willbe required to develop a written plan approved bythe Rainforest Alliance and will be required toscale up to full recipe matching, normally within18 months.For Option C the following labeling requirementsapply:Option CAs of the publication date of this document,Option C is only available for cocoa. Other categoriesmay be considered in the future.For Option C the following manufacturingrequirements apply:1. Businesses must source and deliver into thefactory 100% of the core ingredient required tomake the product, including all variations onthe ingredient components used in the recipe(i.e. recipe matching). The core ingredient mustremain physically segregated and traceable(with its corresponding Rainforest AllianceTransaction Certificates) up to the factory entryLabeling Options for Multi-Ingredient Products Bearing the RAC SealOption A• 100% of core ingredientsourced from certified farms.• Core ingredient identified nearthe RAC seal.Option B• At least 30% of core ingredientfrom certified farms, must bescaled up over time.• The percentage of RACcontent of the core ingredientmust be disclosed on pack.• Core ingredient identified nearthe RAC seal.For multi-ingredient products bearing the RACseal labeled under Option C rules, the core ingredientmust be identified under or near the seal,and a statement and URL must be visibly placedelsewhere on the package. For example:• We buy cocoa from Rainforest AllianceCertified farms, helping protect theenvironment and farming communities.www.brand.com/rainforestalliance• Advances the production of RainforestAlliance Certified sustainable cocoa.www.brand.com/rainforestallianceOption C• No percentage threshold forcore ingredient in product dueto high-volume manufacturingconstraints.• Qualifying statement required.• Core ingredient identified nearthe RAC seal.The URL must direct readers to a website witha full explanation of the supply chain for theingredients sourced from Rainforest AllianceCertified farms, for example, “www.brand.com/rainforestalliance.”This site must provide sufficient informationabout the business’s sourcing policy and the limitsto traceability of the ingredients from certifiedfarms so that a consumer or any interested partyis fully and clearly informed that the product maynot contain ingredients from certified farms. Forexample:We ensure that all of the cocoa we purchasefor [brand name] and have delivered to ourfactories is traceable to Rainforest AllianceCertified farms. This traceability ensuresthat the farmers making the improvements toearn certification benefit from their efforts.However, given the volumes of chocolateproduced for multiple brands at our factory/ies, we are unable to guarantee traceabilitythrough the final production phase – the individualchocolate product you buy in stores.We are committed to significantly increase thevolume of cocoa we purchase from RainforestAlliance Certified farms, and we will incorporatemore and more of this cocoa into eachof our products produced at the [companymanufacturing facility/ies].The website should also contain information aboutthe company’s commitment to sustainable agriculture,the benefits of certification to farm communitiesand the environment, and details aboutrepresentative farms. Note that all website contentrelating to Rainforest Alliance certification mustbe pre-approved by the Rainforest Alliance.Businesses using the RAC seal under Option Cmay not claim that their finished products “contain”certified ingredients, but instead must focusclaims on the purchasing commitment, claiming“we source” or “we buy” the certified ingredients,highlighting traceability of the certified productsinto their factories and where possible, mentioningthe impact that the sourcing policy has at origin,i.e. “supporting cocoa-growing communities inWest Africa.”22 23

Farm Products6.8 TraceabilityAll businesses requesting approval to use theRAC seal on their products must provide traceabilitydocumentation to demonstrate that theseproducts contain crops grown on RainforestAlliance Certified farms (or that the certified cropsare delivered to the factory in the case of OptionC for multi-ingredient products). In most cases,documentation is in the form of a TransactionCertificate/s provided by the Rainforest Alliance oran automated system. Transaction certificates mustbe requested at least quarterly for all purchases ofRainforest Alliance Certified coffee, cocoa andtea. In other crops, a copy of other appropriatedocumentation such as invoices, contracts or billsof lading will be required to confirm traceability.6.9 Chain of CustodyBusinesses wishing to use the RAC seal mustalso comply with the Rainforest Alliance andSustainable Agriculture Network Chain ofCustody Standard and Policy. Businesses mustdocument their processes for maintaining traceabilityof the certified products and productseparation to confirm the percentage of certifiedcontent in their products. The Rainforest Alliancemay request an audit of this documentation orother form of verification as part of the Chainof Custody requirements. See www.rainforestalliance.org/agriculture/cocfor more information.6.10 Scale-Up PlanA scale-up plan is an agreement between abusiness sourcing agricultural products and theRainforest Alliance, used either as a scale-up planto attain the 100% sourcing threshold for a sealbearingproduct or when businesses apply OptionC to achieve full recipe matching in a multiingredientproduct. Examples of scale-up plans areincluded on pages 30-31.6.11 Sustainable Sourcing of SecondaryIngredientsThe Rainforest Alliance encourages businesses toadopt sustainable sourcing practices for all contentor ingredients in their products, and to sourcethese from Rainforest Alliance Certified farmswhenever possible. Some composite products thatqualify for using the seal, because the core ingredient(such as cocoa in chocolate) is from certifiedfarms, may also contain other ingredients fromproduction systems (such as non-certified palm oilin chocolate) associated with serious environmentalimpacts. In such cases, the Rainforest Alliancewill require a risk assessment for these ingredientsbefore the use of the RAC seal is granted on theseproducts.If the level of risk is considered to be high,manufacturers must develop a sustainable sourcingplan to acquire these ingredients from certified orresponsibly managed sources when they are availablein the needed quantities, qualities and forms.See the policy online at:www.rainforest-alliance.org/agriculture/documents/sustainable_sourcing_policy.pdf.6.12 Force MajeureSituations may arise that are genuinely outsideof a business’ control, and despite the business’best efforts to prevent these situations, productsbearing the RAC seal are temporarily unable tomeet the 30% minimum certified content thresholddescribed in these guidelines, or fall below thepercentage of certified content declared on pack.The Rainforest Alliance may grant temporaryauthorization for continued use of the seal aftera full analysis of each individual case and onlyif one of the following events has occurred atthe farm or supplier at origin, or at the factory orwarehouse where the certified products are storedor manufactured:• Natural disasters (earthquakes, hurricanes, fires,floods, or similar)• War, insurrection, explosion or other proven actsof violence• Political, governmental or regulatorycircumstancesIf such authorization is granted by the RainforestAlliance, the business must immediately correctthe declared percentage of certified content onthe packaging when possible. When this is notpossible, the business must post information onits website to disclose and explain the temporaryinterruption to consumers. If the disruptionbecomes permanent, the business must stop usingthe seal or find an alternative supplier. Unlesscaused by one of the events listed above, changesin crop prices, quality, or supply shortages will notbe deemed “force majeure” situations.6.13 Qualifying StatementsBusinesses using the RAC seal can increase aproduct’s consumer appeal by educating consumersabout the environmental, social and economicbenefits of Rainforest Alliance certification.Please use one or more of the qualifying statementson the following page for on-productpackaging and off-product marketing materialsbearing the RAC seal. All materials that includetext about the Rainforest Alliance, including theexamples above, must receive prior approval fromthe Rainforest Alliance.Additional marketing support tools and messagingguidelines are available atwww.rainforest-alliance.org/marketingApproved Qualifying Statements for Use with the RAC Seal for Farm Products1. The Rainforest Alliance Certified seal meansthat farmers follow more sustainable agriculturalpractices that protect forests, rivers, soilsand wildlife, while being good communityneighbors. Rainforest Alliance certification alsoensures that workers have just wages andimproved access to dignified living conditions,health care and education for their children. Tolearn more about the Rainforest Alliance, visitwww.rainforest-alliance.org.2. The Rainforest Alliance Certified seal on our[product] promotes environmental responsibility,social equity and economic viability forfarm communities.3. Buying [product] with the Rainforest AllianceCertified seal supports a healthier planetand an improved quality of life for farmingcommunities.4. Buying products with the Rainforest AllianceCertified seal helps support the rights andwell-being of farm workers, the conservation ofnatural resources and the protection of wildlifeand the environment.5. Rainforest Alliance Certified – good forpeople and the planet.6. Rainforest Alliance certification helps farmersmanage their land sustainably/responsibly.7. Rainforest Alliance certification helps protectthe environment and ensure sustainablelivelihoods.8. Farmers who earn the Rainforest AllianceCertified seal protect waterways, soils,forests and sensitive ecosystems, helping tomaintain a clean water supply for their familiesand nearby communities, and preservinghabitats for local wildlife.9. Rainforest Alliance Certified farms meetstandards that improve the quality of life forfarm families, protect wildlife and waterwaysand conserve forests.10. Environmentally and socially responsiblepractices are used on Rainforest AllianceCertified farms.11. Rainforest Alliance Certified farms benefitfrom improved efficiency, reduced costsand better management practices. Workersbenefit from a cleaner, safer workplace anddecent housing. Farmers have better accessto specialty buyers, contract stability, favorablecredit options, publicity, technical assistanceand premium markets.12. Rainforest Alliance Certified farms meetcomprehensive standards for sustainableagriculture that protect wildlands, waterways,wildlife habitat and the rights and welfare ofworkers, their families and communities. Tolearn more about the Rainforest Alliance, visitwww.rainforest-alliance.org.13. Rainforest Alliance Certified farms meetrigorous environmental, social and economicstandards developed by the SustainableAgriculture Network, a coalition of grassrootsgroups that promote productive agriculturalsystems, biodiversity conservation and humandevelopment.14. [insert crop name such as coffee or tea] fromRainforest Alliance Certified farms is grownin ways that benefit farm families, wildlifeand the environment. To learn more aboutthe Rainforest Alliance, visit www.rainforestalliance.org.15. The Rainforest Alliance is an internationalnonprofit organization that works to conservebiodiversity and promote the rights and welfareof workers, their families and communities.Farms that meet comprehensive standardsfor sustainability earn the Rainforest AllianceCertified seal. These standards help ensurethat soils, waterways and wildlife habitat areprotected and that farm workers are paidjust wages, work in safe conditions and haveimproved access to decent housing, medicalcare and schools for their children. Farmowners [or Farmers] must commit to a processof continuous improvement, and their farmsare audited each year in order to maintaintheir certification. By shopping for productsbearing the Rainforest Alliance Certified seal,consumers can support a healthy environmentand help to improve the quality of life for farmfamilies. To learn more about the RainforestAlliance, visit www.rainforest-alliance.org.Farm Products24 25

Farm Products6.14 All Use Requires ApprovalExcept for media professionals, no one under anycircumstances may copy, reproduce or otherwiseuse the RAC seal without receiving prior writtenpermission from the Rainforest Alliance.In cases where packaging or materials bearingthe RAC seal must be printed before all sourcingand traceability can be confirmed, a ConditionalApproval may be granted. Once the pendingissues are resolved, official approval can begranted, but until pending issues are resolved,the materials bearing the seal must not be madepublic.All packaging and materials that use theRainforest Alliance name or bear the RAC sealmust be submitted for review to the RainforestAlliance. Refer to Section 2 for specific designspecifications and requirements. A checklist isprovided at the end of this section summarizingthe key points of the review. Artwork that meetsthe criteria in this list is more likely to be quicklyapproved.6.15 Approval ProceduresThe Rainforest Alliance appreciates your choiceto promote products grown on certified farms.Any business or organization wishing to marketRainforest Alliance Certified products mustfirst register with the Rainforest Alliance, sign alicense agreement, and ensure that all sourcing,manufacturing and traceability requirementshave been met.Please follow these steps to gain approval to usethe seal on all packaging and marketing materialsfor agricultural products from RainforestAlliance Certified farms:1. Register with the Rainforest Alliancethrough the Rainforest AllianceCertified Marketplace online atwww.rainforest-alliance.org/farmproducts,and click on “Register Here.” Registrationtakes just a few minutes and earns you a listingin our online directory. Once registered,you may access the online system at any timeby signing in with your User ID and password.2. Begin sourcing products or ingredientsfrom certified farms, and ensure that yourpurchasing and production meet the sourcingand manufacturing requirements outlined inthese guidelines so that your products will beeligible to bear the RAC seal.3. Sign a license agreement by clicking on“Request Artwork” online under the “Useof Seal” tab on the “Use of Seal Guidelines”page. You will be prompted to supply yourbusiness’s official legal name and legaljurisdiction to generate a license agreementwhich will be signed and e-mailed to youwithin five (5) business days. Please allowtime for your own legal representativeto review it. Then sign and e-mail back ascanned copy of the signed agreement and theRAC seal artwork will be e-mailed to you inEPS format. RAC seal artwork files are alsoavailable to registered businesses in JPG andGIF formats as needed.4. Confirm traceability by requesting a transactioncertificate from the Rainforest Allianceor your supplier of the RAC products. Thisensures that the product or ingredient you’vepurchased was actually produced by aRainforest Alliance Certified farm.5. Submit materials for approval online underthe “Use of Seal” tab on the “SubmissionStatus” page, click on “New Submission.”You will be asked a few questions about theproposed use of the seal and will be promptedto upload files with the layouts requiringapproval. Files can be uploaded in almost anyformat, up to 4 files and 20MB per submission.If you like, you may also submit drafttext prior to developing layouts by uploadingthem into Marketplace or e-mailing them tous. We will review these and provide you withcomments to help ensure accuracy before thetext is rendered into final artwork.6. Expect a response with approval or commentswithin five business days. You will receive ane-mail announcing your approval or advisingthat there are necessary adjustments tobring the artwork into compliance with theseguidelines. Visit Marketplace under the “Useof Seal” tab and select “Submission Status” tosee what changes are needed, or to check thestatus of your submission at any time. Finalartwork must be submitted to receive finalapproval.7. Within 12 months of your registration date,apply for Chain of Custody certification inorder to remain eligible to continue using theRAC seal. For more information about theChain of Custody Standard and Policy, visit:www.rainforest-alliance.org/agriculture/cocNOTE: In order to provide consistent support toall registered businesses around the world, theRainforest Alliance requests that businesses planto allow sufficient time for the review and approvalof artwork. The Rainforest Alliance makesevery effort to approve submissions that meetthe requirements outlined in this manual withinfive business days. If there is a need for edits tobring the artwork into compliance, the RainforestAlliance will work toward giving final approvalwithin 10 days of the first date of receipt of theartwork, provided that businesses are able torespond to edits and resubmit artwork within thistimeframe. For materials that are not in English,Spanish or French, please submit artwork ina format that allows the text to be copied fortranslation or provide a translation to facilitatethe review and approval of your submission.To register or submit artwork bearing the seal forreview and approval, visit the Rainforest AllianceCertified Marketplace online at:www.rainforest-alliance.org/farmproducts6.16 Contact InformationAll proposed uses of the RAC seal must be submittedto the Rainforest Alliance for prior writtenapproval. Please contact us for such requests, orwith questions regarding these guidelines.For use of the RAC seal for products grown onfarms certified to SAN standards, send an e-mail to:RAC@ra.orgRecommended Sizing Ratios of Rainforest Alliance Marks Relative to Materials or PackagingIf the shortest side of material is: Minimum height is: For Example:1.01 – 2.5 inch (26-63.5mm) Min. 3/4 inch (19mm) 200ml canned coffee2.51 – 10 inch (64mm-25.5cm) Min. 1 inch (25mm) 1 lb. coffee bag10.1 – 18 inch (26-45.5cm) Min. 1.5 inch (38mm) print ad19 – 24 inch (46-60cm) Min. 2 inch (50mm) posterover 24 inch (over 60cm) Min. 4 inch (100mm) bannerFSC Certified Paper & PackagingAs the world’s leading nonprofit FSC certifierof forestlands, the Rainforest Allianceencourages use of FSC certified paper forproduct packaging and corporate and promotionalmaterials.Printers and packaging businesses holdingFSC certificates from the Rainforest Allianceare eligible to use the RAC seal in conjunctionwith the FSC label on the materialsproduced using FSC-certified paper.There are different types of FSC labelsdepending on the content of the paper/packagingmaterial. The FSC certified businesswill apply the necessary label and claimapplicable to its product.When using the RAC seal to indicate certifiedpaper or packaging content, the FSC certifiedmaterial (e.g. Paper, Wood, Packaging)must be listed below the RAC seal as in thefollowing example. See Section 2 for detaileddesign specifications for use of the RAC seal.To learn more about sourcing FSC certifiedpaper and packaging and using these trademarks,ask your vendors or visit:rainforest-alliance.org/forestry/certificationFarm Products26 27PACKAGING

Farm ProductsPre-Approval Checklist for Use of the Rainforest Alliance Certified SealTranslation Guide for Use of the Rainforest Alliance Certified SealFarm ProductsThe following checklist can assist registered businesses in developing materials that meet the rules andguidelines for use of the Rainforest Alliance Certified (RAC) seal. If artwork meets all the followingcriteria, it most likely follows the guidelines and will be approved. Completion of this checklist is not asubstitute for approval. All use of the Rainforest Alliance marks requires prior written approval.The following are approved translations of commonly used terms when referring to Rainforest AllianceCertified products in marketing materials.“the Rainforest Alliance Certified seal”General use of the RAC seal:1. Do the marketing materials promote products from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms?2. Is the seal used in high resolution Pantone 625 green, or in black?3. Does the seal show a white outline and an interior white background around the frog?4. Is the seal at least 3/4 inch (19mm) in diameter?SpanishItalianPortugueseFrenchGermanel sello Rainforest Alliance Certifiedil marchio Rainforest Alliance Certifiedo selo Rainforest Alliance Certifiedle label Rainforest Alliance CertifiedIn France only: le label Rainforest Alliance Vérifié (In France, the word « vérifié »must be used instead of « certifié » due to French law).das Siegel Rainforest Alliance Certified5. Is the seal free of interference and crowding from other images or text, not confined in a box orcircle, and not altered in any way?DutchSwedishhet Rainforest Alliance Certified zegelRainforest Alliance sigillet6. Is there a superscript “” after the word “Certified” the first time the phrase “RainforestAlliance Certified” appears, and is the “C” capitalized in the word “Certified” in this phrase?DanishFinnishseglet Rainforest Alliance Certifiedsinetti Rainforest Alliance Certified7. Is Rainforest Alliance correctly spelled out, not abbreviated as “RA” or simply “Rainforest?”8. Is there any text to make consumers aware of the meaning of the Rainforest Alliance Certifiedseal? If space is limited, is it possible to at least add the URL: www.rainforest-alliance.org?9. Do any images and text about the seal accurately reflect the standards and the meaning of thecertification? Tips and recommendations:• Include text that describes the social and environmental benefits of certification and, if spacepermits, the economic advantages as well• Use words like “comprehensive,” “holistic” and “rigorous” when referring to the standardsNorwegianJapaneseSpanishItalianPortugueseFrenchforseglingen Rainforest Alliance Certifiedレインフォレスト・アライアンス 認 証 マーク“(coffee/tea/cocoa) from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms”(café/té/cacao) de fincas certificadas Rainforest Alliance(caffè/tè/cacao) da aziende agricole certificate Rainforest Alliance(café/chá/cacau) de fazendas certificadas Rainforest Alliance(café/thé/cacao) de fermes certifiées Rainforest AllianceIn France only: (café/thé/cacao) de fermes vérifiées Rainforest Alliance• Use images of forested lands, wildlife, and workers and families benefitting from certification• Consider using pre-approved qualifying statementsGermanDutchSwedish(Kaffee/Tee/Kakao) von Rainforest-Alliance-zertifizierten Farmen(koffie/thee/cacao) van Rainforest Alliance gecertificeerde boerderijen(kaffe/te/kakao) från Rainforest Alliance certifierade odlingar• Avoid terms that can be confused with other certification programs, e.g. “organic,” “fairlytraded,” “fair wages,” “food safety” etc.DanishFinnish(kaffe/te/kakao) fra Rainforest Alliance-certificerede farme(kahvia/teetä/kaakaota) varmennettujen maatiloilta Rainforest Alliance10. If packaging contains between 30% and 90% certified content, is there text clearly stating thispercentage near the seal?NorwegianJapanese(kaffe/te/kakao) fra Rainforest Alliance sertifiserte gårderレインフォレスト・アライアンス 認 証 農 園 産 (コーヒー/ 茶 /カカオ)11. If product contains multiple ingredients, is the Rainforest Alliance Certified product a coreingredient, and is there a statement and/or text declaring which ingredient is certified?Note: The word “Certified” should be capitalized and followed by a superscript “TM” symbol whenwritten in English, but these are not needed when the word “Certified” is translated to other languages.12. Have transaction certificates or other traceability documentation for the Rainforest AllianceCertified product(s) or ingredient(s) been provided?28 29

Farm ProductsAppendicesAppendix A.3: SmartSource Plan ExamplesSample Coffee Scale-up PlanSAMPLE COFFEE SMARTSOURCE PLANSustainable Agriculture Use of Seal GuidelinesAppendicesSample Cocoa Scale-up Plan - Option CSAMPLE COCOA SMARTSOURCE PLAN – Option CFarm ProductsThe Rainforest Alliance applauds and recognizes the commitment that COMPANY X has made to sourcingsustainably-produced agricultural products and to working with the Rainforest Alliance to increase its purchases ofRainforest Alliance Certified products over time.Priority will be given to existing brands bearing the Rainforest Alliance Certified seal, scaling these up to sourcing100% certified coffee in the near term. Then, new brands bearing the seal will be added over a period of severalyears.To achieve that outcome, the Rainforest Alliance and COMPANY X agree to work together according to thefollowing milestones for percentages and product launches:Company Name:Company Representative:Contact Information:SmartSource Plan Effective Date:Product Line/s or Brand/s Subject to Scale-up SmartSource Plan: Plan:Crop to be sourced from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms:SmartSource Plan Description:Percentage certified by: 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018Brand A

Forest Products7. Labeling Requirements forRainforest Alliance CertifiedForest ProductsForest-product operations certified by theRainforest Alliance against the ForestStewardship Council Forest Managementor Chain-of-Custody standards may use theRainforest Alliance Certified seal in tandem withapplicable FSC trademarks. Rediscovered Woodcertificate holders may also use the seal but maynot use the FSC trademarks.7.1 Rainforest Alliance and the ForestStewardship CouncilThe Rainforest Alliance is one of the founders ofthe Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), the mostrespected forestry standard-setter in the world.The Rainforest Alliance is an FSC-accreditedcertifier, and has certified the most hectares offorest and the greatest number of community andindigenous operations in the world.Forest-product operations that are certified tothe rigorous, third-party standards of the FSC bythe Rainforest Alliance may use the RainforestAlliance Certified (RAC) seal with applicableFSC trademarks to label and market the productsthey produce, and to promote their commitmentto responsible forestry practices. Please refer toFSC-STD-50-001 for complete requirements onuse of the FSC trademarks.displayed with the FSC trademarks, the RAC sealshould be reproduced in accordance with FSCrequirements and specifications.All packaging and materials that bear the RACseal or name, and/or the FSC label, must besubmitted to the Rainforest Alliance for approval.7.3 On-Product LabelingOn products certified to FSC standards, the RACseal should be placed prominently on the frontof the product packaging or label, along with theFSC label. Examples of on-product use includelumber, furniture, printed materials made withFSC-certified paper such as brochures, journalsand postcards, paper composite materials andproduct packaging.For product packaging and other on-productlabeling, the RAC seal should be reproduced inaccordance with FSC trademark requirements.The RAC seal should be scaled proportionally tothe FSC label (see examples on page 34). Whenthe FSC label contains multiple languages andincreases in height, the size of the seal shouldalso be increased.7.4 Off-Product Promotional UseBusinesses may use the RAC seal in conjunctionwith the FSC logo on e-mail signatures,wall plaques, annual reports, and other businessmaterials. The RAC seal must stand apart fromother logos and be accompanied by a statementthat ties it to the work of the Rainforest Alliance.For example: “We sell products which are FSCcertified by the Rainforest Alliance.”Certificate holders may use the RAC seal on businesscards in conjunction with the FSC on-productmini label only when printed on FSC certifiedpaper, per FSC-STD-50-001. FSC promotionalclaims are not permitted on business cards.7.5 Approved Qualifying StatementsBusinesses using the RAC seal with an FSC markmay increase a product’s consumer appeal byeducating consumers about the environmental, socialand economic benefits of Rainforest Alliancecertification.Businesses may propose custom statements or useone or more of the approved qualifying statementslisted on page 34.All language about the Rainforest Alliance thatis used for on-product packaging and/or promotional(off-product) materials must be reviewedand approved in writing by a Rainforest AllianceTrademark Agent.7.6 Approval ProceduresNo one under any circumstances may copy,reproduce or otherwise use the RAC seal withoutreceiving prior written permission from theRainforest Alliance.Anyone who wants to use the RAC seal to marketRainforest Alliance Certified forest products mustfirst register with the Rainforest Alliance, sign awritten agreement, and ensure that all sourcing,manufacturing and traceability requirements havebeen met through award of an FSC certificate.1. Certificate holder submits a draft of theartwork containing the RAC seal as instructedby their designated Rainforest AllianceTrademark Agent.2. The draft is reviewed according to the rulesand guidelines described in this document.a. The Rainforest Alliance makes every effortto review submissions that meet these guidelineswithin 24 hours.b. If any required elements are missing orincorrect, the certificate holder is notified bythe Rainforest Alliance Trademark Agent viae-mail (via fax or telephone if e-mail is notavailable).c. The certificate holder edits as necessaryand sends the revised material to theTrademark Agent for a second review.d. The certificate holder’s response time tothese edits will impact the turnaround time forany submissions that are not in initial compliancewith the guidelines.3. Once the material is in compliance with allof the elements required by the rules andguidelines described in this document, theRainforest Alliance Trademark Agent sendsformal approval to the certificate holder with acopy of the approved use of the RAC seal.4. The certificate holder must retain a copy ofthe documented approval and approved sealuse in their files as it may be requested by aRainforest Alliance auditor at some time in thefuture.7.7 Contact InformationAll proposed uses of the RAC seal must be submittedto the Rainforest Alliance for prior writtenapproval. Please contact us for such requests, orwith questions regarding these guidelines.Contact your regional RA-Cert representative.A list of regional offices is available online:www.rainforest-alliance.org/about/racert/contactor email trademarks@ra.orgForest Products7.2 Use of the Rainforest AllianceCertified Seal with FSC TrademarksThe RAC seal may be used in conjunction withapplicable FSC trademarks on products certifiedto the FSC standards and related promotionalmaterials, or off-product for promotion of a business’sstatus as an FSC certificate holder. WhenOff-product use of the Rainforest AllianceCertified seal may accompany the FSC promotionalpanel. Examples of off-product materialsinclude websites, advertising, press releases,brochures, catalogues, social media, posters andsome corporate materials.3233

Forest ProductsExamples of the RAC Seal Scaled to the FSC TrademarksOn-Product LabelingFor FSC portrait trademarks, the RACseal is no taller than the height of the FSCportrait label or portrait mini label.For FSC landscape trademarks, the textwithin the RAC seal is no taller thanthe height of the FSC landscape label orlandscape mini label.FSC TrademarkLicense CodeType of FSC LabelRAINFOREST ALLIANCE TRADEMARK REVIEW CHECKLIST*For use of the FSC trademarks as outlined in FSC-STD-50-001 (V1-2)FSC ON-PRODUCT LABEL USEIs the assigned FSC Trademark License Code inserted in the FSC label?Is the appropriate label used according to the approved FSC product group claim category?Forest ProductsTrademark SymbolFSC Label SizeHas the appropriate trademark symbol ( or ®) been chosen for the label?Does the FSC label meet one of the following sizes:Landscape – 12 mm tallPortrait – 17 mm wideMini Label Portrait – 11 mm wideMini Label Landscape – 8 mm tallFSC Label Color Is the FSC label in black, white, or Pantone 626c?Clear spaceProduct TypeIs there clear space around the FSC label equal to the height of the letters ‘FSC’ in the logo?If required, is the appropriate Product Type inserted in the FSC label?Off-Product Promotional UseRAC seal is no taller than the height of theFSC panel (minus the promotional statement)Additional textFSC TrademarkLicense CodeThere are no references to or marks of other forestry certification schemes (SFI, PEFC, etc.) relating tothe certification status of the product.FSC PROMOTIONAL USENote: all use of the FSC trademarks, including the acronym “FSC”, shall be approved under promotional requirementsTrademark SymbolIs the assigned FSC Trademark License Code inserted in the FSC Promotional Panel?Has the appropriate trademark symbol ( or ®) been chosen?Examples of Approved Qualifying Statements for Use with the RAC Seal for Forest Products1. We are FSC certified by the Rainforest Alliance.2. [Product] is FSC certified by the RainforestAlliance.3. FSC certification by the Rainforest Alliance benefitsthe environment and local communities.4. FSC certification by the Rainforest Alliancesupports a healthy environment.5. FSC certification by the Rainforest Alliancesupports the growth of responsible forestrypractices.6. The Rainforest Alliance works to conservebiodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoodsby transforming land-use practices, businesspractices and consumer behavior.7. The Rainforest Alliance is an internationalnonprofit conservation organization that certifiesforestry operations, ensuring that they meetrigorous standards for the conservation ofnatural resources and the rights and welfare ofworkers and local communities.8. The Rainforest Alliance pioneered the conceptof responsible forestry certification in 1989and has since certified to Forest StewardshipCouncil standards more than *51 million hectares(*126 million acres) in over *65 countriesaround the world. To learn more about theRainforest Alliance, visit www.rainforest-alliance.org.9. [insert forest product such as wood] from ForestStewardship Council forests certified by theRainforest Alliance is responsibly harvested tobenefit communities, wildlife and the environment.To learn more about the RainforestAlliance, visit www.rainforest-alliance.org.10. Forest Stewardship Council certified forestoperations certified by the Rainforest Alliancemeet comprehensive standards that protect theenvironment and the rights and welfare of workers,their families and communities. To learnmore about the Rainforest Alliance, visit www.rainforest-alliance.org.* Up-to-date figures available upon request.FSC PromotionalClaimProduct PromotionIs an appropriate FSC promotional statement placed beneath the FSC Promotional Panel?(1) The Mark of Responsible Forestry, or(2) Responsible Forest ManagementNotes: Alternative wording and/or extra information require approval from FSC via Rainforest Alliance.Alternative layouts may be reviewed and approved by your Rainforest Alliance Trademark Agent.If an alternative layout is used, has the appropriate trademark symbol ( or ©) been chosen?(1) Placed with the FSC logo(2) Placed after the FSC initials before the license code(3) Placed after “FSC” and/or “Forest Stewardship Council” for the first use in any textProducts promoted as FSC certified are included in the approved Product Group Schedule and meetthe eligibility requirements for FSC labeling.Products, promotional Trademark materials, review and/or checklist organization’s January activities 2012 do not appear to be endorsed byFSC.34 35SizeDoes the FSC logo (checkmark-and-tree with FSC initials) meet the minimum 10 mm heightrequirement?Will the text elements be legible once printed?Color Is the FSC Promotional Panel in black, white, or Pantone 626c?Additional textClear spaceSizeThe FSC trademarks shall not be used together with the marks of other forest certification schemes in away which implies equivalence or in a way which is disadvantageous to the FSC trademarks in terms ofsize or placement.The FSC trademarks shall not be used in a way that could cause confusion, misinterpretation or loss ofcredibility to the FSC certification scheme.Is there clear space around the FSC logo equal to the height of the letters ‘FSC’ in the logo?Rainforest Alliance Certified TM (RAC) SealNote: Use of the RAC Seal requires use of the FSC logo in the same itemFor on-product use, are the RAC seal and FSC trademarks sizing guidelines followed?RAC seal can be the same height as the FSC portrait label“Rainforest Alliance Certified” text within the RAC seal can be the same height as the FSClandscape labelFor promotional use, are the RAC seal and FSC trademarks sizing guidelines followed?RAC seal can be the same height as the FSC panel (minus the promotional statement)

FSC.The FSC trademarks shall not be used in a way that could cause confusion, misinterpretation or loss ofcredibility to the FSC certification scheme.Forest ProductsClear spaceIs there clear space around the FSC logo equal to the height of the letters ‘FSC’ in the logo?Forest ProductsSizeRainforest Alliance Certified TM (RAC) SealNote: Use of the RAC Seal requires use of the FSC logo in the same itemFor on-product use, are the RAC seal and FSC trademarks sizing guidelines followed?RAC seal can be the same height as the FSC portrait label“Rainforest Alliance Certified” text within the RAC seal can be the same height as the FSClandscape labelFor promotional use, are the RAC seal and FSC trademarks sizing guidelines followed?RAC seal can be the same height as the FSC panel (minus the promotional statement)ColorIs the RAC Seal in Pantone 625 or black?White or other colors are not permittedNo background colors are permitted to show through the sealClear SpaceIs there clear space around the RAC Seal equal to 20% of the size of the RAC Seal?*Disclaimer: This checklist covers most of the key requirements but it is necessary for certificate holders to be familiarwith and follow all applicable trademark requirements per FSC-STD-50-001 (V1-2) and this manual.*Disclaimer: This checklist covers most of the key requirements but it is necessary for certificate holders to be familiar with and follow allapplicable trademark requirements per FSC-STD-50-001 (V1-2) and the Rainforest Alliance Certified Seal Labeling Guidelines; latestpublished versions.Trademark review checklist January 201236 37

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