Technical data source
Find updated information on the development, analysis and review of technical documents that make up the RTRS certification system. Get details on key dates related to the implementation of standards, procedures and technical guidelines, and discover opportunities to participate in open, multisectoral activities.
Mandatory implementation date for new technical documents
December 7, 2021
The following technical documents were revised to implement improvements to the system and to include the incorporation of corn.
The Association members approved the new technical documents through Written Resolution 2-2021.
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| Document | Mandatory since | Version | Download Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| RTRS Standard for Responsible Soy Production | December 2022 | V. 4.0 | Access |
| Progressive Entry Level for the RTRS Standard for Responsible Soy Production | December 2022 | V. 4.0 | Access |
| RTRS Standard for Responsible Corn Production | New* | V. 1.0 | Access |
| RTRS Chain of Custody Standard | June 2022 | V. 2.3 | Access |
| Progressive Entry Level for RTRS Standard for Responsible Corn Production | New* | V. 1.0 | Access |
| RTRS Chain of Custody Accreditation and Certification Procedure for Certification Bodies | June 2022 | V. 3.3 | Access |
| RTRS Use of the Logo & Claims Policy | June 2022 | V. 4.2 | Access |
| RTRS Country Material Balance Standard for Chain of Custody | June 2022 | V. 1.1 | Access |
| RTRS Grievances Procedure | New* | V. 1.0 | Access |
| RTRS Monitoring and Evaluation System Procedure | New* | V. 1.0 | Access |
| RTRS Procedure for the Development of New Documents | New* | V. 1.0 | Access |
| RTRS Terms of Reference | New* | V. 1.0 | Access |
| RTRS Accreditation and Certification Procedure for responsible soy production | June 2022 | V. 4.3 | Access |
| RTRS Group and Multi-site Certification Procedure for CBs | June 2022 | V. 3.2 | Access |
| RTRS Group and Multi-site Certification Standard | June 2022 | V. 3.2 | Access |
*After approval by the Association Members the use of the new versions is mandatory.
Analysis of the RTRS Standard for Responsible Soy Production V4.0 Revision
July 2021
This report summarizes the revision process of the RTRS Production Standard V4.0 carried out by the Secretariat between July 2020 and June 2021 with the support of BSD Consulting facilitators.
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| Document | Revised document | Revision date | Download link |
|---|---|---|---|
| RTRS Standard Revision 2020/21 Process Report | RTRS Standard for Responsible Soy Production V3.1 | July 2021 | Access |
Documents underway
As a global, multi-stakeholder roundtable, RTRS remains committed to continuous innovation in order to address the challenges of the global sustainability agenda and to ensure the transparency and effectiveness of its certification scheme.
Access the list of documents underway by clicking on Expand.
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| Document | Estimated approval date |
|---|---|
| New RTRS Chain of Custody Standard | Second half of 2024 |
| RTRS Use of the Logo & Claims Policy | Second half of 2024 |
Not updated national interpretations
Find out which of the national interpretations have an updated version consistent with version 4.0 of the RTRS Standard for Responsible Soy Production by clicking on Expand.
Producers from countries that do not have an updated version of the relevant national interpretation will be audited against the latest version of the global standard. The responsible Certification Body will ensure that the audit is fully aligned with the global version, taking into account the latest national interpretation, local laws and the reality of local producers.*
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| Document | Document Status | Download Link |
|---|---|---|
| Argentinian National Interpretation | Updated November 2022 | Access |
| Bolivian National Interpretation | Requires updating | Access |
| Brazilian National Interpretation | Updated November 2022 | Access |
| Canadian National Interpretation | Requires updating | Access |
| Chinese National Interpretation | Requires updating | Access |
| Indian National Interpretation | Requires updating | Access |
| Paraguayan National Interpretation | Updated July 2023 | Access |
| Uruguayan National Interpretation | Requires updating | Access |
*This is in line with the requirement stated in point A 1.2.3. of RTRS Accreditation and Certification Standard for responsible soy production V4.3: Where there is no RTRS endorsed National Interpretation of the RTRS Standard for Responsible Soy/Corn, certification bodies using the generic RTRS principles and criteria for responsible production shall carry out a local adaptation of the standard, prior to first use of the standard in any country. This shall follow the procedure outlined in Annex 3.
New Certification Bodies
April 2023
Imaflora and SBCert from Brazil were accredited by the National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology (Inmetro) to certify the RTRS Standard for Responsible Soy Production V.4.0.
Learn about the new Certification Bodies by clicking on Expand.
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IMAFLORA
INMETRO acreditation for RTRS Production Standard
Julio Cesar Amaral
SBC – Serviço Brasileiro de Certificações Ltda
Accreditation INMETRO for RTRS production Standard.
Working Groups for the Revision of Standards
The RTRS Standards are reviewed approximately every 5 years or at shorter intervals if required by the RTRS Executive Board or by ISEAL requirement. The revision is intended to guarantee that the Standard incorporates the latest innovations on sustainability and good agricultural practices and takes into consideration the findings of the various evaluation and monitoring procedures, keeping multisectoral representativeness.
All three RTRS constituencies, Producers; Industry, Trade and Finance, and Civil Society Organizations.will be equitably represented in the working groups. Producers. Also, representatives from the government and the academic sector, experts and certification bodies will be entitled to participate as observers.
At this time there are no open calls for working groups.
Development of the national interpretations
While RTRS Standard for Soy Production is a global standard, it provides for national interpretations to adjust requirements to local conditions and legislation in each individual country.
To participate in the development of national interpretations, please contact us at [email protected].
Click on Expand to learn the dates for the development of national interpretations.
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| Document / Working Group | Planned Date |
|---|---|
| Indian National Interpretation* | 2024 |
| Uruguayan National Interpretation* | 2024 |
*Producers from countries that do not have an updated version of the relevant national interpretation will be audited against the latest version of the global standard.
Open public consultations
There are no open public consultations at this time.
RTRS public consultations are ISEAL compliant.
Open courses
There are no open courses available at this time. If you wish to receive information about upcoming courses, please contact us at [email protected]
Validity of RTRS Credits Supporting Responsible Soy
Learn about the validity of RTRS Credits Supporting Responsible Soy for both certified producers and adopters by clicking on Expand.
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| Producers | |
|---|---|
| Active | RTRS Credits valid for 5 years from the date they were registered in the Online Platform. |
| Suspended | They are not allowed to make transactions with their RTRS Credits. |
| Discontinued | RTRS Credits valid for 2 years from the date they were registered in the Online Platform. |
| If a producer’s certificate goes from discontinued to active again, the 5-year validity of RTRS Credits is restored. | |
| Adopters of RTRS Credits |
|---|
| From the moment the first adopter acquires a producer’s RTRS Credits these will be valid for 2 calendar years i.e. they expire at the end of the year following their acquisition. |
Validity of certified physical material
Find out the validity of RTRS certified physical material for certified producers and adopters by clicking on Expand.
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| Producers | |
|---|---|
| Active | Certified physical material valid for 5 years from the date they were registered in the Online Platform. |
| Suspended | They are not allowed to make transactions with their certified physical material. |
| Discontinued | Certified physical material valid for 2 years from the date they were registered in the Online Platform. |
| If a producer’s certificate goes from discontinued to active again, the 5-year validity of the certified physical material is restored. | |
| Adopters of RTRS-certified physical material | |
|---|---|
| From the moment the first adopter acquires the RTRS certified physical material from a producer | it is valid for 24 months. |
