Stakeholder involvement & international acceptance In the Code revision process Utz Kapeh has worked closely with an international feedback committee including producers, trained agronomists, independent certifiers, buyers, and independent ISO and Agronomy consultants. George Karugu, Agronomist in Kenya, and member of the Code of Conduct 2006 sounding board: “The involvement of Utz Kapeh members had a positive effect in two ways. It contributed to the Utz Kapeh program being more practical and user friendly. In addition, it contributed to the Code being part of their own work and internal structure rather than being an external document they have to work with.” Besides chain-wide acceptance of the Code 2006, Utz Kapeh continues to be recognized as equivalent by the European retailer initiative EurepGap. In addition, Utz Kapeh-certified coffee will be 4C compliant in the future. Simons: “This international acceptance enables all coffee brands, big and small, to credibly demonstrate responsible business practices in their entire range.”
Complete Code
The Utz Kapeh Code of Conduct covers good agricultural practices, social criteria based on the International Labor Organization Conventions, and environmental criteria. The revised Code is now even more complete and also addresses specific food safety issues required by (international) laws and standards, for instance Ochratoxin (OTA) prevention. Joost Pollmann, Ahold Coffee Company, Zaandam, The Netherlands, and member of the Coffee Technical Standards Committee of EurepGap Coffee: “In Europe a legal limit has been set for Ochratoxin in roast and ground coffee. Roasters are obliged by law to do random sample measurements. When OTA is detected and exceeds the maximum level, the coffee can not be used as a consumer product. It is important that OTA is prevented in the origin countries. It is therefore valuable that Utz Kapeh has incorporated measures for this food safety issue in the Code of Conduct.” More accessible for small-scale producer group certification
Documentation criteria for small-scale producer groups are clearer and simpler, and criteria for the management systems of producer groups are described better.
George Karugu, Trained Agronomist in Kenya, working with the Rutuma Farmers Co-op Society in the process of getting Utz Kapeh-certified: “The revised Code of Conduct has definitely improved with respect to small-scale accessibility. It is
more practical and relevant for the groups I work with.” Teresa Blanco, general manager IMO Control Latin America, Bolivia agrees with him: “The structural improvements will contribute to a better understanding by producers, and especially small-scale producer groups.”