With EUDR laws looming, Lindt & Sprüngli gains 100% Rainforest Alliance cocoa certification

Swiss-headquartered Lindt & Sprüngli has confirmed a key position for its operations in attaining 100% of its cocoa sourcing through the company’s dedicated farming programme, writes Neill Barston.

As the business explained in its latest update relating to the scheme, which covers the period of 2026-2030, it has set out a specific set of actions to enhance its supply chains, built on collaboration working with NGOs and the wider industry.

It comes as demands upon the broader confectionery sector and many other related industries across food chains will be subject to new EUDR regulations on deforestation, which are finally due to come into force at the end of 2026 after industrial and political lobbying results in several years of delay to their implementation.

Related due diligence laws are also making their way through the European Parliament, governing social responsibility and human rights standards, which industry must comply with.

For its part, with its action plan for the next four years, Lindt & Sprüngli has detailed that it will at about jointly creating implementation plans with key bodies including the International Cocoa Initiative (ICI).
It also stated that it intends to work with Helvetas, specialsied in delivering action surrounding farmer livelihoods and environmental projects in Madagascar.

Lindt’s action plan also caters for creating an Agromap to forge an advanced agroforestry programme in Ivory Coast, as well as planning to work with universities and research programmes.

As regards the its ongoing work with the Rainforest Alliance, the premium confectionery manufacturer cited the organisation’s Sustainable Agricultural Standard as being critical in providing an evidence-based framework for enhancing its performance on its sourcing policies.

It operates across social, environmental, and economic aspects, including working conditions, pest management, and conservation.
In addition, as the company asserted, it has already promoted agroforestry, forest protection and restoration, as well as community development that has been underscored by a Living Income Pilot Programme.

Notably, the Rainforest Alliance seal will be gradually introduced on permanent products of the Lindt & Sprüngli portfolio, where applicable, delivering a clear signal of its intent to raise its certification performance.