Benchmark results: ProTerra Standard v5 and DTP 112 v6

Introduction

ProTerra Foundation embraces mutual recognition of sustainability standards and believes that synergies help to reduce the costs of standard implementation and certification, while also reducing audit burden.  As such, ProTerra has developed a benchmarking of the ProTerra Standard V5 (PT V5) from September 2023 against Sustainable Cereal and Oilseed (DTP 112) V6 from 18 November 2021 (the latest version currently available).

The results show that adherence between the two Standards in terms of sustainability requirements for suppliers (farms) is in the order of 69%. Adherence of DTP112 with PT V5 ranges from 100% in requirements related to no use of GMOs to 28% in water management practices.

As a result of this adherence, DTP112-certified food chain operators/actors can obtain PT V5 recognition with a reduced audit time and a simpler assessment.

Background

The ProTerra Social Responsibility and Environmental Sustainability Standard (PT V5) applies to distinct levels of the food and feed supply chain (Level I – Agricultural production; Level II – Transport, Storage, Traders and Dealers, and Level III – Industrial Processing) and to any agricultural commodity. Its main objective is to foster good agricultural practices through a set of requirements; to ensure the supply of sustainably produced, fully traceable, non-GMO ingredients for food and feed; to protect the environment, and to promote that workers and communities are treated with dignity and respect.

The ProTerra Certification Standard is organised in principles, criteria, and indicators. These are the ProTerra Standard ten principles:

PRINCIPLE 1: Management system, compliance with laws, international conventions and the ProTerra Standard

PRINCIPLE 2: Human rights and responsible labour policies and practices

PRINCIPLE 3: Responsible relations with workers and community

PRINCIPLE 4: Biodiversity conservation, effective environmental management and environmental services

PRINCIPLE 5: No use of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)

PRINCIPLE 6: Pollution and waste management

PRINCIPLE 7: Water management

PRINCIPLE 8: Greenhouse gases and energy management

PRINCIPLE 9: Adoption of good agricultural practices

PRINCIPLE 10: Traceability and Chain of Custody

Organisations become ProTerra certified by demonstrating compliance with each of the Standard’s principles, criteria and indicators applicable to their business. External third party audits are carried out. When farm areas are verified as part of the supply chain of a Level III operator, they will be assessed against the requirements that are valid for ProTerra Level I.

Considering the scope of Sustainable Cereal and Oilseed (DTP 112 V6), the requirement of this standard stems from the desire to produce cereals, oilseeds and their derivatives according to the best known practices, to ensure fully sustainable products, and therefore presenting a series of technical requirements and legal compliances aspects. The standard applies to all types of cereal seeds and oilseeds and their derivatives/co-products throughout the supply chain.

As with ProTerra, the DTP112 is certified by an independent third party.

Benchmarking results

Table 1 shows the % of alignment between DTP 112 and ProTerra V5 a ProTerra Principle.

Based on the benchmarking results, the key requirements for a DTP112 certified organisation to achieve PT V5 recognition include aspects related to:

• All workers living on site shall have appropriate, fairly priced, and safe food, sufficient water and housing;
• Ongoing programme of job-related training;
• Consistent usage of personal protective equipment (PPE);
• Complaints and grievances, responsive actions, and outcomes documented;
• Maintaining and safeguarding native vegetation existing on farmland;
• Management of biological waste;
• Aerial spraying of pesticides;
• Clear rules to avoid double counting of certified material, and
• Inspection of conveyances used to transport certified material, among a few others.

Table 2 below details the full list of complementary requirements in detail.

For more information, please contact us at: info@proterrafoundation.org