Benchmarks Results

The requirements of the ProTerra Standard V4.1 related to its LEVEL II (Transport and Storage, Traders and Dealers) have been benchmarked against the GMP+ B3 requirements. The results have shown a significant alignment, allowing the ProTerra Foundation to recognise a GMP+B3-certified organisation as Level II.

The German QS food quality and safety scheme has developed an additional module for deforestation-free soybeans in QS feed, which is mandatory for companies producing or handling feed in the QS scheme from January 2024.

The ProTerra Standard v4.1 has been successfully benchmarked and is recognised by QS as deforestation-free sustainability standard.

Click here to access Annex 4.2 QS-recognised standards for soybean production.

The European Feed Manufacturers’ Federation (FEFAC) developed the FEFAC 2023 Guidelines to provide transparency to operators interested in purchasing responsible soy. Based on a set of principles and a thorough analysis of existing schemes, concrete criteria and indicators for sustainable sourcing were developed. ProTerra Standard version 5.0 has been published on the FEFAC benchmarking tool, compliant with the FEFAC 2023 Guidelines.

The ProTerra Standard Version 5.0 has been positively benchmarked against the new version of the Farm Sustainability Assessment, FSA 3.0 and achieved Silver Level Equivalence, which means 100% essential, 94% intermediate and 68% advanced. These results will further strengthen the relationship between the ProTerra Foundation and the SAI Platform, increasing the benefits for actors in the food and feed supply chains.

The ProTerra Sustainability Standard V5 was benchmarked against ISCC, revealing a high degree of alignment between the two. This alignment allows ISCC-certified organisations to gain ProTerra V5 recognition with reduced audit times and simplified assessments.

When buying food that carries the “Ohne GenTechnik” seal consumers are assured that they contain:

• No genetically modified organisms (GMOs) or parts thereof;
• No vitamins, aromas, enzymes and other food additives manufactured with the help of GMOs;
• No GMO material in animal feed, with strict time limits being observed if animals have at some point been reared on feed containing GMOs.

Through this mutual recognition, we want to offer VLOG certified producers the possibility to go a step further in their sustainability journey, going beyond non-GMO certification by including other relevant social and environmental issues covered by the ProTerra Standard.

Proterra Foundation and CSQA Certificazioni Srl agreed to conduct a benchmarking exercise to verify the alignment of both ProTerra Standard v4.1 and Proterra Europa v1.0 against SUSTAINABLE CEREAL AND OILSEED – DTP112 v5. This benchmark was completed in 2021 and the final results were agreed by both institutions.

VIVE is a continuous improvement sustainability programme for sugarcane and sugar beet supply chains. The programme consists of five modules that, in combination, cover all operations and activities for producers through to end users that have a bearing on sustainability. Sugarcane and sugar beet producers and processors can now benefit of the comparison between the ProTerra Standard and the VIVE five modules. Learn how you can benefit from it!

The International Trade Centre (ITC) launched the Sustainability Map as a new online gateway to connect businesses and producers and help pave the way towards more sustainable trade.
For the most accurate and detailed information, you can visit the ProTerra Foundation’s page on the Standards Map, this page provides comprehensive details on the standard’s requirements, governance, and resources.

A benchmarking exercise of the ProTerra Standard v4.1 and the Smartcane BMP v2 took place. The main aim of the assessment was to receive an independent opinion on the differences and similarities of the standards with respect to its requirements and applicability in order to see where synergies can be realized and put into practice.

Companies working to improve supply chain sustainability need clarity on how different tools and standards relate to one another. To help meet this need, the ProTerra Foundation has collaborated with the Accountability Framework initiative (AFi) to benchmark the ProTerra Standard (version 4.1) against the Accountability Framework. This analysis confirmed broad alignment between the two initiatives as well as opportunities for companies to use the ProTerra standard and Accountability Framework in complementary ways to meet their goals.
Please visit ‘Certification and roundtables’ on the AFi website for more information.