The mission of the 4C Common Code is to achieve world leadership by emphasizing economic, social and environmental factors in coffee cultivation. This emphasis leads to better production, processing and marketing conditions for members of the coffee sector.

4C Common Code began in 2003. This certification has representation from countries such as Brazil, Cameroon, Colombia, Côte d’Ivoire, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Malawi, Mexico, Nicaragua , Papua, New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda, Vietnam, and Zambia.

Is 4C a label?

• No.4C is No has a label. It is a certification.
• The coffee and farms are certified. There are specific checks to verify that the coffee in the package meets the criteria stated on the label.
• The label on packaged coffee indicates the accuracy of a claim as coffee produced to sustainable standards. The label may say “Organic Coffee”, for example, and additional wording may indicate that the coffee is 4C certified.

How is 4C different?

• The certification acts as a reference standard. The improvement process behind the name and all the work done by the 4C Association is what makes the difference.
• 4C members implement specific processes and measurable steps to meet specific baseline levels of sustainability.
• Again, an important distinction: On coffee packages, consumers will not see a “label” or “endorsement.” Instead, they can simply read that the roaster supports the 4C Approach.

How do coffee farmers become eligible for 4C Common Code certification?

• Farmers abide by a code of conduct that is very specific about unacceptable and acceptable practices.
• This code covers many social, environmental and economic principles for everyone in the coffee supply chain. For example, this includes farmers, plantations, producer organizations, estates, mills, exporters, traders and more.
• Following practices that emphasize the sustainability of production and post-harvest processing ensures consistency across 4C Common Code certified farms. It also helps promote and adopt the code among farmers.

What are the main objectives that this certification seeks to achieve?

• The main objectives include: reducing the costs of growing coffee, improving the quality of the product and strengthening the organizational structures of coffee producers.
• In other words, optimizing the overall operational flow throughout the value chain, from bean to cup.
• By achieving these goals, farmers increase their income and improve their standard of living.

What makes 4C such a successful program?

• One of the reasons the 4C Common Code has grown so much is word of mouth among farmers, workers and producers.
• To date, more than 14,000 farmers produce coffee according to 4C standards, representing around 4% of world production.
• What is very significant is that the rules have helped farmers increase their income by more than 30%.
• When farmers hear directly from other farmers how successful they are with the farming practices recommended by this certification’s Code of Conduct, they are likely to want to know more and join the program.
• Farmers encourage each other to plant other crops such as peanuts, corn, tubers, palm oil or other natural plants along with coffee.
• Farmers have the confidence that they have a ready market for their products as long as they are up to code because it sets them apart from any other farmer.

How about having a cup of “Certified” Jamaican Genuine Blue Mountain?