Speakers
Description
Certification systems nowadays often emphasize strict compliance with predefined standards, ensuring uniformity and a high level of quality across regions and producers. This approach allegedly creates trust and transparency for consumers, who are assured that certified products meet rigorous benchmarks. However, such a rigid system may not always account for the diversity of local practices and conditions, potentially excluding small-scale or marginalized producers who struggle to meet these standards. In contrast to strict compliance, an inclusiveness-focused approach could adapt certification standards to the local realities of producers. This flexibility can make certification more accessible to a broader range of farmers, including those in developing regions with unique environmental or socio-economic challenges. By fostering inclusiveness, certification can support multiple sustainability dimensions and equitable development, ensuring that smaller or less-resourced producers aren't left behind.
In this World Café we take a closer look at some questions that arise around the discussion of whether certification should focus more on inclusiveness, rather than on strict compliance.
Table 1 - Conceptualizing inclusiveness: What is the meaning of an inclusiveness-focused approach? What are the reasons behind exclusion?
The concept of inclusiveness in certification systems might go beyond merely adapting standards to accommodate diverse local practices and conditions. While flexibility in standards is crucial, true inclusiveness also requires addressing the structural barriers that prevent marginalized farmers from accessing certification opportunities. In many cases, the exclusion of small-scale or marginalized producers is not due to an inability to meet strict criteria, but rather because certification efforts are concentrated in areas that are easier to assess or more economically viable for companies. This can leave out farmers in remote, less productive, or socio-economically disadvantaged regions, perpetuating inequality within supply chains. This table will explore the broader dimensions of inclusiveness and discuss what might be the requirements for certification systems to achieve it.
Table 2 - Consumer preferences: Are consumers interested in products that contribute to broader sustainability goals by fostering inclusiveness, even if they are more difficult to measure and monitor?
As consumers become more aware of global challenges like climate change, social justice and sustainability, their purchasing decisions are increasingly influenced by a desire to support products that align with ethical and environmental values. While some consumers prioritize products with certifications that guarantee strict compliance with high measurable standards—often linked to quality and safety—there is a growing interest in certifications that reflect a broader set of values. This shift suggests a potential preference for composite labels that integrate multiple dimensions, such as environmental impact, ethical sourcing and social equity, rather than focusing solely on one aspect. This table will explore what drives these evolving consumer preferences, how they are shaped by demographics, regions and personal values, and what the implications might be for the future of certification systems and market demands. Participants will also discuss the challenges and opportunities of developing and communicating multi-dimensional certification labels.
Table 3 - Implementation by companies: What strategies could companies adopt to make certification processes more inclusive while maintaining credibility?
For companies committed to a compliance-focused certification, the challenge is in consistently meeting high standards across their supply chains. This requires robust internal systems, rigorous training and ongoing audits, which can be resource intensive. Implementing inclusiveness in certification requires balancing flexibility with the need for credible, trustworthy standards. Companies must find ways to adapt certification to local contexts without compromising the overall integrity of the certification. This table will explore how companies can engage with local producers, build capacity and create scalable yet adaptable standards. The discussion will also consider how inclusiveness can be maintained across diverse supply chains, ensuring that smallholders and marginalized groups are not excluded from certification benefits.
Table 4 - Implications for producers: What are the implications for producers in developing countries?
For producers in developing countries, the implications of certification systems—whether compliance-focused or inclusiveness-focused—are profound. Strict compliance-focused certifications can offer access to premium markets and increased income but often require investments in technology, infrastructure, and training that smaller or less-resourced producers may struggle to afford. This can exacerbate inequalities, leaving behind those who are unable to meet these stringent standards. On the other hand, inclusiveness-focused certifications seek to broaden access by adapting standards to local conditions and addressing structural barriers, such as geographic inaccessibility or socio-economic disadvantages. While these inclusive approaches can open up new opportunities for a wider range of producers, they also face challenges, particularly in maintaining global recognition and trust. This table will explore the economic and social impacts of both compliance- and inclusiveness-focused certifications on producers in developing countries. Participants will discuss how inclusiveness can be balanced with the need for credibility and market acceptance and what strategies might be employed to ensure that certification systems support rather than hinder the development and sustainability of small-scale and marginalized producers.
