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Helping children, families, communities

Responsible Labor Practices in Cocoa Farming

The chocolate and cocoa industry is working to make a better life for cocoa farming families worldwide.  This work includes a partnership with West African governments, NGOs and labor experts to implement “certification” for cocoa farming labor practices – as part of a broader ongoing effort to promote economic and social development in cocoa farming communities.

Certification for cocoa farming labor practices will ensure that cocoa is grown using responsible labor practices – through a system of reporting and action. 

Regular certification reports, issued by West African governments, provide a thorough, transparent view of labor conditions on cocoa farms.  Programs to help children and cocoa farming families address the issues raised in the certification reports – and drive continual improvement.  A robust, independent verification component will ensure the integrity of the certification process.

In 2007, both the governments of the Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) and Ghana released their first certification reports.  The reports, based on in-person visits by trained surveyors to hundreds of cocoa farms, provide an honest, detailed assessment of the challenges facing cocoa farming communities – and the issues that must be addressed.

By July of 2008, both countries will have the certification process in place across an area that represents more than 50 percent of their respective nation’s cocoa production.

How does certification support the goals of the Harkin-Engel Protocol?

The Protocol’s objective is clear: cocoa beans and the products derived from them should be grown in a way that meets internationally accepted labor standards. 

The Protocol also establishes several “guiding principles.”  Partnerships are essential.  Problem solving must be credible and effective – to fashion a long-term solution.  And, the entire effort must be sustainable.

Certification for cocoa farming continually reduces instances of the worst forms of child labor and forced adult labor – through an ongoing system of reporting and corrective action.  By driving continual improvement, certification will ensure that cocoa beans are grown in a manner that complies with international labor standards.

It does so through partnerships – with West African governments, NGOs, organized labor and other stakeholders.  It takes a credible approach that works within the realities of cocoa farming – and is achievable.  And, it is a sustainable approach that can and will endure.


To learn more about certification, click on any of the links below: