In a nutshell: A short summary of 4C.
What is it?
Economic viability for all actors in the green coffee chain is the key for socially and environmentally sustainable
coffee production and processing. The Common Code for the Coffee Community (4C) combines a voluntary code of conduct
with good farming and management methods for improved efficiency and better profitability. The worst social and
environmental practices are excluded and minimum standards established. Farmers are supported in the application of
good agricultural and management practices to continuously improve their performance, becoming less vulnerable to
the fluctuations of the world coffee market and increasing their margins. The 4C concept is applicable in all coffee
regions and all production systems small holders, producer organizations, estates etc. Thus, 4C is a baseline model
for sustainable production, post-harvest processing and trading of green coffee.
Who cooperates within 4C?
The Common Code for the Coffee Community development was guided by a tri-partite Steering Committee, consisting of
representatives from coffee producer organizations, trade & industry as well as civil society and extraordinary
members. All decisions within 4C are being taken in a transparent and participatory way. So far, more than 65
representatives from the 17 most important coffee producing countries, coffee manufacturers and civil society groups
have participated in the process. The relevant actors of the global coffee sector are involved in all activities
of the 4C initiative. Expert Working groups nominated by the Steering Committee provide technical input. In the
testing phase 2005 & 2006 the 4C concept will be further developed and tested worldwide in the coffee field.
The initiative is managed, administered and facilitated by a joint Management Unit with public and private
contribution from the Development cooperation (Seco, BMZ and GTZ) and the coffee business (ECF/ ECF 4C Group).
How does it work?
The good agricultural and management practices are available for application to all interested producers and their
organizations to improve their performance. The code of conduct supports the identification of those areas that need
to be addressed most urgently. According to a traffic light system, the Criteria of the Code are classified in red,
yellow and green. With the concept of continuous improvement, farmers are encouraged to move from red to green over a
certain period of time. A constant self monitoring further supports the farmers becoming more efficient. Third-party
verification at random can prove the compliance in case the coffee shall be marketed as a product on its way towards
sustainability.
What are the benefits for the producers?
In the highly competitive coffee market, 4C provides good agricultural practices, services and capacity building
support to become more efficient and produce a good product in due respect to society and environment. Benefits for
producers are reduced costs, improved market access, better access to credits, enhanced market transparency and better
margins for their products in the global coffee market. Transparency along the chain improves the transfer of value to
the producers. Trade and industry members in 4C committed themselves to support the application of 4C with e.g.
contributions to capacity building activities, trainings and skill development programs.
and the consumers?
The 4C concept is a baseline approach that will not be communicated with an on-pack logo. The 4C quality includes the
quality of the product and the quality of a sustainable production process. Consumers can be assured that their coffee
is a quality product produced in due respect to society and environment a comprehensive understanding of quality for
the benefit of all actors involved in the coffee chain!
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4C in a nutshell
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