November 2019
The Accountability Framework supports companies and others on the journey to eliminate deforestation, conversion, and human rights violations from supply chains. The Framework serves as a guide at each stage of this ethical supply chain journey.
Introduction to the Ethical Supply Chain Journey
© 2019 Accountability Framework initiative. All rights reserved.
DISCLAIMER: This work product is intended to be advisory only and is not intended to serve as a legal opinion or legal advice on the matters treated. The reader is encouraged to engage counsel to the extent required.
The Accountability Framework was created through a consultative process with a wide range of stakeholders including companies, NGOs, and government, and following applicable good practices for multi-stakeholder initiatives.
The Accountability Framework initiative (AFi) Steering Group includes a diverse group of civil society partners including representatives from the following organizations:
The AFi Backbone Team (secretariat) is co-led by the Rainforest Alliance and the Meridian Institute.
For more information on the AFi and the Framework development process, please visit www.accountability-framework.org
The AFi is funded by:
Contents
About the Accountability Framework initiative (AFi) 1
The Ethical Supply Chain Journey 2
Applying the Framework on the Journey 3-7
How to get started 3
Set commitments 4
Take action 5
Demonstrate progress 7
Contents of the Accountability Framework 8
01Introduction to the Ethical Supply Chain Journey
About the Accountability Framework initiative (AFi)
The sponsoring organisations of the AFi envision a world where forests and other natural ecosystems are conserved for their many values, where human rights are universally respected, where responsible production and trade are the norm, where gender equality is achieved, and where rural people and communities are included in decision-making and thrive while serving as effective stewards of the land.
The AFi is a collaborative effort to accelerate progress and improve accountability for ethical supply chain commitments in agriculture and forestry.
In June 2019, the AFi released the Accountability Framework, a set of common norms, definitions, and guidance for establishing, implementing, and demonstrating progress on these commitments.
For more information: www.accountability-framework.org
Continuous improvement
Assess, learn, and adapt over time
02Introduction to the Ethical Supply Chain Journey
• Monitor and verify compliance and progress in commonly accepted ways.
• Report progress and outcomes related to the implementation of commitments.
• Make credible claims on progress toward fulfilling commitments.
• Assess risk, establish traceability, and manage supplier compliance and improvement processes.
• Follow best practices in land use planning and long-term protection of forests and other natural ecosystems.
• Reconcile voluntary commitments with relevant legal frameworks.
• Identify and address issues related to land rights and workers’ rights.
• Remedy prior violations of commitments or other adverse impacts to natural ecosystems, people, or communities.
The Ethical Supply Chain JourneyThree stages to eliminate deforestation, conversion, and human rights violations from supply chains
• Establish new ethical supply chain commitments or review and refresh current commitments.
• Apply common terms, definitions, and metrics to link company policy to accepted norms.
• Specify key commitment details related to halting deforestation, protecting other natural ecosystems, and respecting human rights.
Set Commitments Take Action Demonstrate ProgressDevelop new commitments or refresh current commitments
Implement policies and practices to fulfill commitments
Monitor and document progress in a credible way
Continuous improvement
Assess, learn, and adapt over time
03Introduction to the Ethical Supply Chain Journey
Applying the Accountability Framework on the Ethical Supply Chain JourneyHow the Framework can support companies and others in achieving success on the journey
How to get startedAssess where you are on the ethical supply chain journey:
Are you working to refresh an existing commitment or to set a new commitment?
Set Commitments Demonstrate ProgressTake Action
What activities, systems, and processes are needed for effective implementation of commitments?
How should your company monitor and document progress toward compliance with commitments?
Apply the Framework at each stage: A high-level summary of the key elements for setting, implementing, and
monitoring effective supply chain commitments in agriculture and forestry
Specific and practical detail related to putting the Core Principles into practice
Clarification of key concepts used throughout the Core Principles and Operational Guidance
Core Principles
Operational Guidance
Terms and Definitions
04Introduction to the Ethical Supply Chain Journey
Stage 1: Set CommitmentsDevelop new commitments or refresh current commitments
Activities
Framework References
Determine content of no-deforestation and no-conversion commitments
Determine content of human rights commitments
Specify commitments in a clear, strong, and credible manner
OG = Operational Guidance
OG on Applying the Definitions
OG on Respecting the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities
OG on Environmental Restoration and Compensation
OG on the Relationship Between Voluntary Commitments and Applicable Law
OG on Free, Prior and Informed Consent
OG on Cutoff Dates
OG on Long-Term Protection (forthcoming)
OG on Remediation and Access to Remedy
Terms and Definitions
Terms and Definitions
Terms and Definitions
Core Principle 1 Core Principle 3Core Principle 2
05Introduction to the Ethical Supply Chain Journey
Stage 2: Take ActionImplement policies and practices to fulfill commitments
Activities
Framework References
Establish company systems to implement commitments
Assess risk and achieve traceability
Engage, support, and manage suppliers
Responsibly establish new development
OG on Supply Chain Management
OG on Supply Chain Management
OG on Smallholder Inclusion in Ethical Supply Chains
OG on Smallholder Inclusion in Ethical Supply Chains
OG on Achieving Commitments Through Collaboration
Core Principle 4 Core Principle 6 Core Principle 7Core Principle 5
OG on Respecting the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities
OG on Free, Prior and Informed Consent
Terms and Definitions
Terms and Definitions
Terms and DefinitionsTerms and Definitions
OG = Operational Guidance
06Introduction to the Ethical Supply Chain Journey
Take ActionContinued...
Activities
Framework References
Ensure long-term protection of ecological and cultural values
Provide for access to remedy, including restoration
Collaborate to support broader sustainability
OG on Remediation and Access to Remedy
Terms and Definitions
Core Principle 8 Core Principle 10Core Principle 9
OG on Long-Term Protection (forthcoming)
OG on Environmental Restoration and Compensation
OG on Achieving Commitments Through Collaboration
Terms and Definitions
Terms and Definitions
OG = Operational Guidance
07Introduction to the Ethical Supply Chain Journey
Stage 3: Demonstrate ProgressMonitor and document progress in a credible way
Activities
Framework References
Conduct monitoring and verification
Demonstrate progress through reporting, disclosure, and claims
OG = Operational Guidance
OG on Monitoring and Verification
OG on Reporting, Disclosure, and Claims
Terms and DefinitionsTerms and Definitions
Core Principle 11 Core Principle 12
08Introduction to the Ethical Supply Chain Journey
Contents of the Accountability Framework
Core PrinciplesA high-level summary of the key elements for setting, implementing, and monitoring effective supply chain commitments in agriculture and forestry
Operational GuidanceSpecific and practical detail related to putting the Core Principles into practice
DefinitionsKey terms that are used in the Core Principles and Operational Guidance
1 Protection of forests and other ecosystems
2 Respect for human rights
3 Specification of commitments
4 Company systems
7 Land use
10 External relations
5 Traceability
8 Land management
6 Supply chain management
9 Remedy & remediation
11 Monitoring & verification
12 Reporting & disclosure
How to Apply the Definitions on Deforestation and Conversion
Relationship Between Voluntary Commitments and Applicable Law
Cutoff Dates
Respecting the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities
Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC)
Smallholders
Achieving Commitments Through Collaboration
Supply Chain Management
Remediation and Access to Remedy
Environmental Restoration and Compensation
Monitoring and Verification
Reporting and Disclosure
Set Commitments
Take Action
Demonstrate Progress
Terms and Definitions
www.accountability-framework.org