Our distilleries work with quality marks that ensure better living conditions, a healthy environment and fair trade.
Behind every bean lies a promise
More than a quality mark
Labels are a starting point , not an end goal
Certifications like Rainforest Alliance, Fairtrade, Organic, and Climate Activator help make the coffee supply chain fairer and more sustainable. They ensure oversight, transparency, and clear minimum standards.
But at Bunafide, we don't see these certifications as the end point. They form the foundation on which we build. Because true change requires more than just compliance. It requires openness, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Our goal isn't just to meet standards, but to contribute to a truly transparent and fair supply chain. That's why we continue to learn, research, and invest in direct relationships with farmers, so we can go beyond what certifications can guarantee, step by step.
The four quality marks
Rainforest Alliance is a certification program that promotes sustainability in agriculture and supply chains. Farmers and businesses must meet social, environmental, and economic criteria.
What does it require from farmers and distilleries?
- Strict requirements on water use, biodiversity, soil health and pesticide use.
- Monitoring labor rights, living conditions, and participation in community projects.
- Periodic audits to verify compliance with regulations.
What does it mean for the consumer?
When you see a product with the Rainforest Alliance seal, you can trust that at least part of the supply chain is taking steps toward environmental, human, and community sustainability. Keep in mind that certification doesn't guarantee perfection, but continuous improvement according to international standards.
Fairtrade is an international certification system that strives for improved trading conditions for producers, with an emphasis on social justice, economic security, and environmental protection.
What does it require from farmers and distilleries?
- Farmer organizations must meet standards of democratic governance, transparency and financial accountability.
- There are requirements regarding working conditions, child labor, environmental maintenance and fair pay.
- Products must be traceable from farm to sale, separated from uncertified products.
What does it mean for the consumer?
With the Fairtrade label you support producers who strive for better living and working conditions.
You are not buying perfection, but an initiative intended to reduce inequality in the market.
Organic is a quality mark that focuses on agricultural methods that work without synthetic pesticides, artificial fertilizers or genetic modification, and focuses on natural soil quality and biodiversity.
What does it require from farmers and distilleries?
- Land must meet strict criteria, with maintenance of soil fertility, natural fertilization and rotational use.
- The use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers is limited or eliminated.
- The entire chain (including packaging) is monitored to ensure that organic products are truly organic.
What does it mean for the consumer?
An organic label represents a product that has been produced with greater attention to nature, soil and health.
In combination with other quality marks it can provide additional assurance about environmental aspects.
Climate Activator is a certification scheme that focuses on CO₂ neutrality: it measures, reduces, and offsets emissions in production chains.
What does it require from farmers/distilleries?
- Monitoring and reporting of CO₂ emissions in the chain (agriculture, processing, transport).
- Active steps to reduce emissions and offset where necessary.
- Transparency about what measures have been taken and what compensations have been applied.
What does it mean for the consumer?
If a product is “Climate Activator Certified” it means that the climate impact is recognized and addressed.
It shows that the brand accepts responsibility for its emissions and is committed to improvement.
The coffee chain is complicated
View our frequently asked questions
Why do you work with coffee roasters that carry quality marks?
Certifications ensure transparency and control in the coffee supply chain. They impose requirements on the environment, working conditions, and fair trade, so we can be sure that the coffee we purchase meets minimum sustainability standards.
What exactly does the Rainforest Alliance certification guarantee?
The Rainforest Alliance focuses on protecting ecosystems and improving farmers' livelihoods. Companies must comply with requirements for biodiversity, fair wages, and responsible use of natural resources.
What makes Fairtrade different from other brands?
Fairtrade emphasizes fair prices and better working conditions. Farmers receive a minimum price plus an additional premium to invest in their communities. The certification promotes democratic decision-making within cooperatives.
What does the organic label mean for coffee?
An organic certification guarantees that the coffee is grown without chemical pesticides or fertilizers. Farmers work according to natural principles, paying attention to soil health, biodiversity, and avoiding genetically modified crops.
What does the Climate Activator certification focus on?
Climate Activator assesses companies on their CO₂ emissions and climate impact. To become certified, they must measure, reduce, and, where necessary, offset their emissions. This encourages production with a lower environmental impact.
Are these quality marks mandatory?
No, they are voluntary. However, more and more producers and roasters are choosing them because consumers value transparency, sustainability, and fair trade.
Can quality marks make the coffee chain completely fair?
Not completely. Quality marks provide a good foundation, but they don't solve all problems. They help guide improvements, but they remain dependent on collaboration, local circumstances, and practical monitoring.
What does Bunafide do besides these quality marks?
We use quality marks as a foundation, but we want to go further. By gradually gaining more insight into origins, prices, and collaboration with farmers, we strive for a supply chain that is not only certified, but also truly transparent and future-proof.
