Overview
EN ISO 34101-2:2020 (ISO 34101-2:2019) - Sustainable and traceable cocoa - Part 2: Requirements for performance - defines the performance requirements (economic, social and environmental) for cocoa bean production and applicable post‑harvest processes. It is part of the ISO 34101 series for sustainable cocoa and complements management system requirements in ISO 34101‑1 and ISO 34101‑4. Only organisations that fulfil both the cocoa sustainability management system requirements (ISO 34101‑1 or ISO 34101‑4, Annex A/B) and the performance requirements of this document may claim their cocoa beans are sustainably produced.
Key topics and technical requirements
The standard specifies stepwise, verifiable performance across three levels (entry, medium, high) and includes measurable requirements in three main areas:
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Economic aspects
- Cocoa Farm Diagnostic and Cocoa Farm Development Plan (CFDP)
- Capacity building (accounting, access to finance)
- Farm agronomy and good agricultural practices (planting material, soil management, maintenance)
- Post‑harvest processes: pod‑breaking, fermentation, drying, sorting, packing, transport and storage
- Resilience and diversification
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Social aspects
- Human rights policy, gender equality and women’s empowerment
- Child rights, prevention of child labour and worst forms of child labour
- Employment contracts, working hours and conditions, freedom of association
- Occupational health & safety, prevention of discrimination, social protection, basic needs
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Environmental aspects
- Protection of freshwater bodies
- Integrated pest and disease management (IPM) and responsible agrochemical use
- Safe storage/administration of agrochemicals
- Ecosystem protection and waste management
The document provides requirement levels (entry/medium/high) and timelines for progression (up to 60 months from entry→medium and medium→high).
Practical applications and who uses it
EN ISO 34101-2 is designed for practical implementation across the cocoa supply chain:
- Farmers and farmer organisations / cooperatives: to implement CFDPs, improve post‑harvest handling and meet sustainability performance criteria.
- Processors, exporters and traders: to ensure sustainable, traceable sourcing and comply with performance requirements.
- Chocolate manufacturers and buyers: to verify supplier sustainable cocoa claims and integrate into procurement policies.
- Certification bodies and auditors: to assess compliance with performance criteria as part of certification under the ISO 34101 scheme.
- Governments, NGOs and sustainability advisors: to support programme design, farmer training and impact monitoring.
Related standards
- ISO 34101‑1 - High‑level cocoa sustainability management system requirements.
- ISO 34101‑3 - Traceability requirements for sustainably produced cocoa.
- ISO 34101‑4 - Scheme and entry/medium level management system requirements (Annex A/B).
EN ISO 34101-2 helps organisations demonstrate verifiable economic, social and environmental performance for sustainable and traceable cocoa production, supporting responsible sourcing, certification and continuous improvement.
