Strengthening RTRS Chain of Custody certification
The RTRS certification is globally recognised as a solution for companies seeking to meet the growing demand for sustainable products.
In recent years, the RTRS Chain of Custody (CoC) certification has experienced remarkable global growth. It has been adopted as a solution to supply the increasing and diverse markets demanding sustainable products.
In 2023, there was a 12% increase in the number of certified sites compared to 2022, with 55 new RTRS CoC-certified sites added.
As of 31 October this year, a total of 409 RTRS CoC-certified sites were registered across 16 countries, including 239 storages, 96 processing plants, 52 ports, 54 transshipment facilities, and 35 commercial offices. During this period, seven sites achieved CoC certification for the first time. These include:
- AAK do Brasil Indústria e Comércio de Óleos Vegetais LTDA. (Brazil)
- Cargill International SA (Switzerland)
- CJ Europe GMBH (Germany)
- Comgroup Agroindustrial Ltda (Brazil)
- Grobocopatel Hnos. S.A. (Argentina)
- Srinivasa Farms Private Limited (India)
- Vitapro Chile S.A. – Salmofood (Chile)
The evolution of Chain of Custody certification over the last four years shows an average annual increase of 35.8%. In 2022, a total of 369 certified sites were recorded across 14 countries in the Americas, Europe, and Asia, representing a 100% increase compared to 2021. Notably, 2020 was a record year for CoC certification, with a 121% increase compared to 2019, and the inclusion of new countries such as Germany, France, India, the Netherlands, and Paraguay.
Evolution of RTRS Chain of Custody Certification 2019-2024*
* Information collected until October 31.
More and more organizations are recognizing and incorporating RTRS CoC certification as a strategic solution for responsible sourcing. This recognition is reflected in the solid evolution of the chain of custody over the past four years, while simultaneously reinforcing the Association’s commitment to continue offering new and improved solutions to meet the demands of increasingly demanding international markets.
In this regard, RTRS proactively revised its Chain of Custody Standard (version 3.0) while simultaneously developing and introducing a new Optional Model IV aligned with the EUDR. This model, called “Optional Chain of Custody Model IV – Requirements for Alignment with EUDR,” aims to assist companies exporting to the EU in meeting the requirements of this regulation. Additionally, it promotes the growth of production, trade, and use of responsible soy. RTRS’s approach balances alignment with the EUDR with its commitment to creating impact on the ground by fostering the growth of RTRS-certified responsible soy.
