1. What is Rainforest Alliance?
   Rainforest Alliance is an international non-governmental organization that aims to build a more sustainable future in agriculture, forestry, and business worldwide. The purpose of the organization goes beyond protecting nature, ensuring that both producers and consumers gain economic, social, and environmental benefits. In this context, the organization aims to create large-scale transformation by collaborating with farmers, workers, businesses, governments, and civil society organizations.
   The main approach of the organization is based on the vision of developing people and nature together. In other words, agricultural production considers not only productivity but also the protection of ecosystems, fair labor rights, and the empowerment of rural communities. In this way, products produced with eco-friendly methods both gain value in the global market and provide producers with a long-term livelihood.
   In addition, Rainforest Alliance contributes to the shift of consumer preferences on a global scale. Certified products represent not only environmentally friendly production but also more transparent and accountable supply chains. Thus, consumers see that they can create a direct positive impact with the products they purchase. This approach gives the organization an important role not only in environmental protection but also in social justice and economic development.

2. Brief History
   1987: Rainforest Alliance was founded in 1987 by Daniel KATZ.
   2018: Two organizations decided to merge to create a broader impact and started operating under one roof.
   2020: Common standards were developed and the 2020 Rainforest Alliance Sustainable Agriculture Standard came into force. This standard combined the previous UTZ and Rainforest Alliance rules under a single framework.
   2025: The “Farm Requirements V1.4 TR” version was published and is planned to enter into force on October 1, 2025. With this update, issues such as risk-based approach, digital traceability, and social/migrant worker rights were strengthened.

   1. 2020 Certification Program
      a) Overview
      The 2020 Rainforest Alliance Certification Program shapes sustainable agriculture through three key dimensions: environmental protection, social responsibility, and economic resilience. In this context, applicable criteria were developed for farmers, businesses, and retailers.

b) Farm Requirements
• Management: Includes establishing structures such as risk assessment, internal control, record keeping, and grievance mechanisms for the implementation of certification.
• Traceability: Ensures the tracking of certified products from production to the consumer.
• Premium: Foresees buyers sharing responsibility to provide producers with livelihood support.
• Farming Practices: Covers soil, water, climate adaptation, and agroforestry practices.
• Social Requirements: Covers issues such as labor rights, prohibition of child labor, support for migrant workers, and gender equality.
• Environment: Focuses on preventing deforestation, protecting water and natural resources, and reducing pesticides.

c) Supply Chain Requirements
• Management: Ensures the reliable management of certified products within the supply chain.
• Traceability: The movement of products from farm to consumer is recorded transparently.
• Premium / Shared Responsibility: Obligates the payment of the premium owed to farmers and requires supply chain actors to share responsibility.
• Social: Includes provisions on labor rights, fair working conditions, and the prevention of discrimination.

d) Online Certification Method
With the 2020 program, the Rainforest Alliance Certification Platform (RACP) and MultiTrace systems began to be used.
• RACP: Digitally manages the entire process from application to audit. Training, risk analysis, and reporting are carried out here.
• MultiTrace: Records the movement of certified products throughout the supply chain, ensuring traceability.

e) Key Documents
• Rainforest Alliance 2020 Sustainable Agriculture Standard – Farm Requirements
• Rainforest Alliance 2020 Sustainable Agriculture Standard – Supply Chain Requirements
• Annexes
• Guidance Documents
• Assurance Rules

4. Activities in Türkiye
   a) Activities in the Hazelnut Sector
   b) Certified Products and Market Studies

5. Future Outlook
   Digitalization: More digital platforms and data-based monitoring will be used in certification processes.
   Combating Climate Change: Reducing the carbon footprint and further integrating climate adaptation plans into the certification system is expected.
   Local Participation: In producer countries such as Türkiye, farmers and communities will be more actively involved in decision-making processes.
   Market Expansion: It is aimed to have certified products recognized on a wider scale in the market and to increase consumer awareness.