Rainforest Alliance Certified™ seal phase-out for old RA-Cert clients

Following the acquisition of the Rainforest Alliance Certification Unit (RA-Cert) by Preferred by Nature in 2018, a collaboration agreement was concluded between the two organisations allowing the transitioning clients to use the Rainforest Alliance Certified™ seal (RA seal) for a period of time after the acquisition. This group of clients includes the Forest Stewardship Council™ (FSC™) and Sustainable Tourism businesses certified by RA-Cert before the acquisition date.

Initial agreements decided that the use of the RA seal would remain in effect until 30 September 2023. However, over the last couple of years, the Rainforest Alliance has updated the organisation’s strategy, forest programming and brand. In line with these organisational changes, the phase-out of access to the Rainforest Alliance seal permitted via the collaboration agreement between the Rainforest Alliance and Preferred by Nature is being expedited for both FSC and Sustainable Tourism clients. 

Effective as of 28 February 2023, the License Agreements regarding the use of the RA seal shall be terminated, and businesses under the aforementioned group will not be able to use the Rainforest Alliance Certified™ seal on the certified products or the related promotional materials. However, the products that were previously labelled and sold with the seal before that date will remain in the marketplace after 28 February 2023 and can be sold until inventories are depleted.

As far as promotional use is concerned, businesses will need to have all promotional use removed by 28 February 2023.

Get in touch with us or your local contact person if you have any questions.