[Osmo Tammela]

Sampling of Core Suppliers
When planning an audit, the Certification Body (CB) would need to sample core suppliers based on their significance in the supply chain. Given the distribution of supplying farms across different biomes, the sampling should be representative of each biome. The sampling calculation might involve:
• Proportional Representation: Ensuring that the sample includes farms from each biome proportionally to their numbers. For example, the Cerrado biome has the highest number of farms (731), so a larger proportion of samples should come from this biome.
• Risk-Based Approach: Considering factors such as environmental impact, compliance history, and size of operations. Farms in the Amazon biome might be prioritized due to higher environmental sensitivity.
• According to the ProTerra Standard V5.0, the sampling methodology for core suppliers involves calculating the sample size based on the total number of suppliers.
o Total Number of Suppliers
 The economic operator has suppliers distributed across three biomes:
 Amazon: 148 farms
 Caatinga: 12 farms
 Cerrado: 731 farms
 Total number of suppliers = 148 + 12 + 731 = 891 farms
o Sampling Calculation
 The ProTerra Standard V5.0 suggests using the square root method for calculating the sample size when the number of suppliers exceeds 50
 Sample size = Square root(891) ≈ 30 farms
o Distribution of Sample
 To ensure proportional representation from each biome, the sample should be distributed based on the number of suppliers in each biome:
 Amazon: 148/891×30 ≈ 5 farms
 Caatinga: 12/891×30 ≈ 1 farm
 Cerrado: 731/891×30 ≈ 24 farms
o This sampling approach ensures that the audit covers a representative and proportional sample of suppliers from each biome

Planning Audits and Certification Decision
1. Initial Audit: Comprehensive audit of the economic operator’s operations, including the industrial site and the three ports. This audit would assess compliance with ProTerra principles and criteria.
2. Surveillance Audits: Regular audits (e.g., annually) to ensure ongoing compliance. These audits might focus on specific areas such as environmental management or labor practices.
3. Certification Decision: After the initial audit and any necessary corrective actions, the CB would make a certification decision. This decision is usually made within a few weeks after the initial audit, depending on the complexity of the findings.
Considerations for the Next Certification Cycle
For the next certification cycle, the CB would consider:
• Changes in Operations: Any significant changes in the economic operator’s operations, such as new suppliers or changes in export routes.
• Previous Audit Findings: Areas that required corrective actions or showed potential risks.
• Continuous Improvement: Encouraging the economic operator to adopt best practices and improve sustainability performance.
Number of ProTerra Certificates Issued
Typically, one ProTerra certificate would be issued for the economic operator’s entire operation, covering all aspects of their supply chain and industrial activities. However, if there are distinct operational units that require separate certification (e.g., different ports or biomes), multiple certificates might be issued
1. Option 1: Single Certificate
If the economic operator’s entire operation, including all supply chain activities and industrial processes, is managed under a unified system and meets the ProTerra Standard requirements collectively, a single certificate would be issued. This certificate would cover:
• The industrial site in São Paulo State.
• All three ports used for export.
• The entire supply chain, including all supplying farms across the Amazon, Caatinga, and Cerrado biomes.
2. Option 2: Multiple Certificates
Multiple certificates might be issued if there are distinct operational units that require separate certification. This could occur if:
• Different management systems are in place for different parts of the operation (e.g., separate management for the two ports operated by the same Port Authority and the third port operated by a different organization).
• Specific biomes or regions have unique compliance requirements or risks that necessitate separate audits and certifications.
In this case, if the economic operator manages all operations under a single, cohesive system, one ProTerra certificate would likely be issued. However, if there are significant differences in management or operational practices between the ports or biomes, the CB might decide to issue multiple certificates to ensure each unit meets the ProTerra Standard independently.

[Osmo Tammela]

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[Osmo Tammela]

Here are some inconsistencies and observations which I noted from the introduction and Excel file:

1. Level of Certification
• Level of Certification is marked to be only Level I but it should be Level I and Level III due to the farming and processing activities.
2. Production Volumes:
• The total production volume of the farm is listed as 21,839.4 MT, while the production volume of the audited area is 24,644.15 MT. This suggests that the audited area produced more than the total farm production, which is not possible.
3. Production Supplied to Processing Facility:
• The production volume supplied to the processing facility is also 24,644.15 MT, matching the audited area production volume. This is inconsistent with the total farm production volume of 21,839.4 MT.
4. Farm Area:
• The farm’s total area is 40,000 ha, but the audited production area is only 2,242.78 ha. This discrepancy might be acceptable if the audited area is a subset of the total farm area, but it should be clarified.
5. Audit Scope and Conversion Rates:
• The audit scope mentions the production of liquid soya lecithin (7,393 MT), de-oiled soya lecithin (7,400 MT), and soya protein (7,000 MT). Given the conversion rate of 90%, the total input soy required for these products should be calculated as follows:
• Liquid soya lecithin: 7393/0.9≈8214.44 MT
• De-oiled soya lecithin: 7400/0.9≈8222.22 MT
• Soya protein: 7000/0.9≈7777.78 MT
• The total input soy required is approximately 8214.44+8222.22+7777.78≈24214.44 MT, which is close to the production volume of the audited area (24,644.15 MT). This seems consistent, but the discrepancy in total farm production volume remains.
6. Economic Operator Description:
• The description states that the economic operator is a processing industry with its own soy-producing farm. The balance sheet should reflect both agricultural production and processing activities accurately.

SUMMARY: These six (6) inconsistencies suggest that there might be errors in the reported production volumes or areas. It would be beneficial to verify the data and ensure that all figures align correctly.

[Osmo Tammela]

A comprehensive Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) is deemed necessary under ProTerra in the following situations:

1. Identification of Potential Impacts: Certified organizations must perform a comprehensive ESIA to identify potentially harmful or damaging impacts and risks associated with their activities.
2. Management Plan: Based on the ESIA, a Management Plan must be established to address identified impacts and risks. This plan should also include actions to maintain and maximize biodiversity within and surrounding the operation.
3. Reassessment: The impacts and risks must be reassessed in the case of expansions or significant modifications of activities.
4. Public Availability: Summaries of the management plans and ESIA must be made publicly available on the organization’s website.
5. Scale of Operation: The ESIA must be commensurate with the scale of the operation and infrastructure, considering environmental sustainability, wildlife, endangered species, and social impacts on the local population, including indigenous people and traditional land users.
6. External Expertise: External experts should be involved in the ESIA process.
7. Compliance with Regulations: The ESIA must comply with existing national regulations related to such assessments.

This requirement is not applicable to agricultural operations of independently certified smallholders. However, for smallholders that are part of the supply chain of industrial processors, the implementation of this indicator must be supported by the processor.

[Osmo Tammela]

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[Osmo Tammela]

To check if an organization complies with the requirements of Principle 4, you would need to evaluate several indicators related to biodiversity conservation, effective environmental management, and environmental services.

1. Land Use Conversion and Forest Conservation (Section 4.1)

Indicator 4.1.1: Ensure no high conservation value areas (HCV 1 to 6) have been cleared or converted after December 31, 2008.
– Evidence: Satellite images, aerial photography, geolocation data, and geo-coordinates of the land plots.
– Action: Verify the provided images and data to ensure no deforestation has occurred in the specified areas.

Indicator 4.1.2: Adherence to governmental regulations and international conventions on land conversion.
– Evidence: Legal documents, government permits, and compliance records.
– Action: Review legal documents and permits to confirm compliance with regulations.

2. Maintenance and Enrichment of Biodiversity (Section 4.2)

Indicator 4.2.1: Identification, maintenance, and protection of valuable biodiversity areas.
– Evidence: Biodiversity management plan, involvement of external experts, restoration plans, and compensatory measures.
– Action: Assess the biodiversity management plan and verify the involvement of external experts. Check restoration and compensatory measures if applicable.

Indicator 4.2.2: Protection of rare, threatened, or endangered wildlife species.
– Evidence: Wildlife protection policies, records of hunting/fishing activities, and legal permits.
– Action: Review policies and records to ensure no illegal gathering, hunting, or fishing of protected species.

Indicator 4.2.3: Avoidance and control of invasive species and new pests.
– Evidence: Pest control records, monitoring reports, and notifications to authorities.
– Action: Check records and reports to confirm control measures and monitoring of invasive species.

3. Social and Environmental Impact Assessment and Management Plan (Section 4.3)

Indicator 4.3.1: Comprehensive Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) and Management Plan.
– Evidence: ESIA reports, management plans, involvement of external experts, and public availability of summaries.
– Action: Evaluate the ESIA and management plan for thoroughness and relevance. Ensure summaries are publicly available.

Indicator 4.3.2: Maintenance and safeguarding of native vegetation.
– Evidence: Farm maps showing native vegetation, protection and restoration plans.
– Action: Review maps and plans to ensure native vegetation is protected and restored where necessary.

Smallholders: For smallholders part of the supply chain of industrial processors, ensure the processor supports the implementation of these indicators.
Documentation: Ensure all documentation is up-to-date, accurate, and accessible for review.

[Osmo Tammela]

To audit an organization’s compliance with Principle 4, you need to evaluate several indicators related to biodiversity conservation and environmental management:

1. Land Use Conversion and Forest Conservation:
– Verify no high conservation value areas have been cleared since December 31, 2008 using satellite images and geolocation data.
– Ensure adherence to governmental regulations on land conversion through legal documents and permits.

2. Maintenance and Enrichment of Biodiversity:
– Check the biodiversity management plan and involvement of external experts for maintaining and protecting valuable biodiversity areas.
– Review policies and records to ensure protection of rare, threatened, or endangered wildlife species.
– Confirm control measures and monitoring of invasive species through pest control records.

3. Social and Environmental Impact Assessment:
– Evaluate the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) and management plan, ensuring summaries are publicly available.
– Review farm maps and plans to protect and restore native vegetation.

For smallholders, ensure the processor supports the implementation of these indicators. Documentation should be up-to-date and accessible for review.

[Osmo Tammela]

Good morning everyone.
My name is Osmo Tammela and I’m working at Nordic Soya / Finland as QC and Environmental manager since 2018. As our company considers sustainability and environmental issues being our core values we have included several sustainability certificates in our operations. With these certifications we can demonstarte to our clients our committment to ensure sustainable operations and end-products.

Looking forward for an interesting training session!

[Author]

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