Recognition of ProTerra Standard V5 as an Equivalent System of Donau Soja

Donau Soja has confirmed the recognition of soybeans certified under ProTerra Standard Version 5.0 as an equivalent alternative system, following a detailed benchmarking of respective system requirements.

Under this recognition, ProTerra-certified raw soybeans may be accepted as soybeans from an approved system, as defined in Annex 08 of the Donau Soja and Europe Soya Guidelines, for the following scopes:

• DS/ES Primary Collector, R 02
• DS/ES Primary Processor, R 04

The benchmarking process assessed the alignment of system requirements, including provisions related to non-GMO assurance, traceability and compliance with EU legislation.

Key Conditions

The recognition is subject to specific technical and operational conditions.

EU Origin and Traceability

Soybeans must originate from the European Union. The country of cultivation must be contractually agreed, confirmed and verifiable. Where mass balance is applied, mixing is permitted only with non-GM material from EU countries within the defined F-RL range, as specified in Annex 04 of the Donau Soja / Europe Soya Guidelines, and this must be verifiable.

These requirements correspond with the traceability and Chain of Custody provisions established under ProTerra Standard V5.

Non-GMO Requirements

ProTerra soybeans must be non-GMO in principle and must not be subject to labelling under Regulation (EC) 1829/2003. They must be suitable for use in recognised non-GM systems.
Rapid GMO testing at delivery is mandatory per transport unit or per 100 tonnes for soybeans intended for Donau Soja or Europe Soya markets, irrespective of risk level.

Marketability and EU Compliance

Soybeans must be marketable for food and feed production within the European Union. This includes compliance with EU limits for desiccants such as glyphosate and diquat, as well as pesticides.

For soybeans originating from countries classified within specific F-RL categories under the Donau Soja system, annual testing for desiccants and pesticides is required, with EU limits applying as the reference.

Strategic Relevance for European Supply Chains

This recognition represents a significant step in the alignment of sustainability standards and European non-GM market requirements. It provides clarity to feed manufacturers, food brands and retailers that soybeans certified under ProTerra Standard V5 may be integrated into European non-GM supply chains that rely on Donau Soja and Europe Soya benchmarks, subject to the specified conditions.

For stakeholders across the value chain, this development reinforces confidence in the technical compatibility and interoperability of recognised certification systems. It also supports greater transparency and consistency within European protein markets, where traceability, non-GM assurance and regulatory compliance remain central requirements.

More broadly, the recognition reflects increasing convergence between established sustainability frameworks and contributes to a more coherent certification landscape for responsible soy sourcing in Europe.

For further information on the practical application of this recognition, stakeholders are encouraged to contact the ProTerra Foundation at info@proterrafoundation.org or their Certification Body.