New food standards in Europe. The European Union has decided to ask companies to demonstrate the exact origin of coffee and cocoa if they want to market them within the European market. In other words, in order to sell these products it will be necessary for the real and certified origin to appear on the label.
The measure is part of the new European regulations against deforestation, a regulation that seeks to prevent products associated with the destruction of forests from reaching European supermarkets. Brussels considers that European consumption has a direct impact on the loss of forest mass in different parts of the world.
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Until now, many companies could sell these products claiming sustainability criteria in a generic way. Under the new rules, that will no longer be enough.
Companies will have to prove exactly where the coffee or cocoa comes from
The regulations require the origin of raw materials to be accredited with precise data.
This implies that companies must provide detailed information on the exact production plot, complete traceability of the product and compliance with the legislation of the country of origin. In addition, they will have to demonstrate that the crop has not caused deforestation after the dates set by the European Union.
In practice, Brussels wants to know the complete journey of the product from the farm to the point of sale.
The change will affect thousands of companies inside and outside Europe
The regulation will not only impact coffee or cocoa producers, but also importers, distributors and large food chains.
Many companies will have to reorganize their traceability systems and strengthen control over international suppliers in order to continue operating within the European market.
Although the regulations include a period of adaptation, companies have already begun to prepare for the important administrative and commercial change that it will entail.
Europe wants to stop global deforestation
The European Union considers that international trade plays a key role in the destruction of tropical forests.
Therefore, in addition to coffee and cocoa, the new rules will also affect other products especially linked to deforestation, such as soybeans, palm oil, wood or cattle.
The goal is to reduce the environmental impact of European consumption and pressure international supply chains to adopt more sustainable practices.
Sustainability is no longer voluntary
With this regulation, Brussels wants to completely transform the rules of international trade.
Sustainability will no longer be just a matter of image or marketing, but a mandatory requirement to access the European market.
Companies that cannot demonstrate the legal and sustainable origin of their products will face sanctions and could be excluded from the European Union.