Global Coffee Platform Invites Member Engagement As It Reviews Its Coffee Sustainability Reference Code For 2026 – CoffeeTalk

The Global Coffee Platform (GCP) has initiated a formal review of its essential tools: the Coffee Sustainability Reference Code and the Equivalence Mechanism, scheduled for 2026. This review aims to update these standards in line with changing market and regulatory expectations. The current recognition cycle, known as Equivalence Mechanism 2.0, will conclude with the introduction of three new schemes—CROP by COFCO, VSS Midori Protocol by MITSUI, and Responsibillyty by illycaffé—designated as equivalent to the Coffee SR Code, thus allowing them to participate in GCP’s Sustainable Coffee Purchases 2026 Report, due in 2027.

Comunicaffe characterized the review as a significant opportunity for shaping a robust and coherent reference for sustainable coffee. It stressed the importance of GCP members’ engagement in the review process. The GCP reference code establishes a uniform benchmark for sustainability claims throughout the supply chain, while the Equivalence Mechanism allows for the acknowledgment of various schemes that meet these sustainability standards. As a result, recognition under these schemes will impact the sustainability volume reporting in GCP’s annual Collective Reporting, where roasters and retailers report sustainable coffee volumes using standardized metrics to enhance transparency, accountability, and comparability.

Significantly, the review responds to consumer demand, with 55% of coffee purchases reportedly being sustainable. The review aims to tackle fragmentation in private governance, which has led to a more company-led and divided landscape concerning certifications and sustainability claims in the coffee sector. Various industry events, including an auction on March 26, 2026, and the announcement of the 2026 Good Food Awards finalists, indicate an active timeline ahead. For stakeholders, it is crucial to monitor the 2026 review’s progress, determine how their schemes will classify under Collective Reporting, and stay informed about forthcoming reports which will influence perceptions of sustainable coffee sourcing.

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