Benchmarks
ProTerra embraces mutual recognition and synergies wherever applicable. These synergies aim at reducing costs and complexity on all levels and encourages cooperation.
The multi-crop and global aspect of the ProTerra standard supported by the benchmark process helps to reduce the number of systems needed to be operated by supply chain actors, simplify procurement policies and practices, embrace mutual recognition and synergies wherever applicable. These synergies aim to reduce costs, audit burden and complexity on all levels of the supply chain and to encourage cooperation.
GMP+
The requirements of the ProTerra Standard V4.1 related to its LEVEL II (Transport and Storage, Traders and Dealers) have been benchmarked against the GMP+ B3 requirements. The results have shown a significant alignment, allowing the ProTerra Foundation to recognise a GMP+B3-certified organisation as Level II.
ProTerra Standard: QS-recognised for soybean production
The German QS food quality and safety scheme has developed an additional module for deforestation-free soybeans in QS feed, which is mandatory for companies producing or handling feed in the QS scheme from January 2024.
The ProTerra Standard v4.1 has been successfully benchmarked and is recognised by QS as deforestation-free sustainability standard.
Click here to access Annex 4.2 QS-recognised standards for soybean production.
Accountability Framework Initiative (AFi)
Companies working to improve supply chain sustainability need clarity on how different tools and standards relate to one another. To help meet this need, the ProTerra Foundation has collaborated with the Accountability Framework initiative (AFi)[1] to benchmark the ProTerra standard (version 4.1) against the Accountability Framework. This analysis confirmed broad alignment between the two initiatives as well as opportunities for companies to use the ProTerra standard and Accountability Framework in complementary ways to meet their goals.
Please visit ‘Certification and roundtables’ on the AFi website for more information.
[1] http://www.accountability-initiative.org/
FEFAC
The European Feed Manufacturers’ Federation (FEFAC) developed the FEFAC Soy Sourcing Guidelines 2021 to provide transparency to operators interested in purchasing responsible soy. Based on set of principles and thorough analysis of existing schemes, concrete criteria and indicators on sustainable sourcing were developed.
Both ProTerra and ProTerra Europa were positively benchmarked against the FEFAC Guidelines 2021.
SAI Platform’s Farm Sustainability Assessment
The ProTerra Standard version 4.1 was benchmarked against the SAI Platform’s Farm Sustainability Assessment v3.0 and awarded SILVER level. The two organisations aim at strengthening their collaboration to make it increasingly beneficial for actors in the food and feed supply chains through mutual recognition.
ISCC certification
The ISCC certification system covers all sustainable feedstocks, including agricultural and forestry biomass, biogenic wastes, circular materials and renewables.
As a no-deforestation standard with a strong commitment to protect forests, high-carbon stock lands and biodiversity, ISCC strives for a world where biomass and other raw materials are produced in an environmentally, socially and economically sustainable manner.
Using these results will help stakeholders on their path to tackle their sustainability goals by reducing certification burden and costs.
VLOG certification
When buying food that carries the “Ohne GenTechnik” seal consumers are assured that they contain:
- No genetically modified organisms (GMOs) or parts thereof;
- No vitamins, aromas, enzymes and other food additives manufactured with the help of GMOs;
- No GMO material in animal feed, with strict time limits being observed if animals have at some point been reared on feed containing GMOs.
Through this mutual recognition, we want to offer VLOG certified producers the possibility to go a step further in their sustainability journey, going beyond non-GMO certification by including other relevant social and environmental issues covered by the ProTerra Standard.
DTP
Proterra Foundation and CSQA Certificazioni Srl agreed to conduct a benchmarking exercise to verify the alignment of both ProTerra Standard v4.1 and Proterra Europa v1.0 against SUSTAINABLE CEREAL AND OILSEED – DTP112 v5. This benchmark was completed in 2021 and the final results were agreed by both institutions.
VIVE Programme
VIVE is a continuous improvement sustainability programme for sugarcane and sugar beet supply chains. The programme consists of five modules that, in combination, cover all operations and activities for producers through to end users that have a bearing on sustainability. Sugarcane and sugar beet producers and processors can now benefit of the comparison between the ProTerra Standard and the VIVE five modules. Learn how you can benefit from it!
ITC Sustainability Maps
The International Trade Centre (ITC) launched the Sustainability Map as a new online gateway to connect businesses and producers and help pave the way towards more sustainable trade.
A freely available online platform, Sustainability Map offers users access to wide-ranging information related to sustainability initiatives and standards, such as the ProTerra Standard.
Smartcane BMP
A benchmarking exercise of the ProTerra Standard v4.1 and the Smartcane BMP v2 took place. The main aim of the assessment was to receive an independent opinion on the differences and similarities of the standards with respect to its requirements and applicability in order to see where synergies can be realized and put into practice.
