A code in your coffee

UTZ means "good" in a Mayan language.
UTZ CERTIFIED is a worldwide
certification program that sets the
standard for responsible coffee
production and sourcing.

Worldwide, the concept of coffee quality among consumers is growing. Taste is important, but there is also growing interest in the conditions in which the coffee was made. Food legislation in Europe, America and Japan is also moving in the direction of transparency of origin and traceability of the final product.

The UTZ CERTIFIED program provides the assurance of responsible coffee production and sourcing that coffee drinkers expect. It answers two crucial questions for the global coffee chain:

• Where does the coffee come from?
• How was it produced?

Traceability

Where does my coffee come from?

A web-based Track and Trace system follows the UTZ CERTIFIED coffee through the chain from grower to roaster. This gives buyers insight into where their coffee really comes from.

UTZ CERTIFIED's Chain of Custody criteria assure that UTZ CERTIFIED coffee is not mixed with non-certified coffee.

Code of Conduct

How was my coffee produced?

The UTZ CERTIFIED program is based on the UTZ CERTIFIED Code of Conduct: a set of social and environmental criteria for responsible coffee growing practices and efficient farm management. Coffee producers who are UTZ CERTIFIED comply with this Code of Conduct.

Independent certifiers conduct annual inspections to ensure producers comply with the requirements of the UTZ CERTIFIED Code of Conduct.