Accelerate progress and improve accountability

The Accountability Framework is a set of common norms and guidance for establishing, implementing, and demonstrating progress on ethical supply chain commitments in agriculture and forestry.

See how the Framework can help you

Learn about the Framework in two minutes

The Ethical
Supply Chain
Journey

For companies and others committed to eliminating deforestation, conversion of natural ecosystems, and human rights violations from supply chains, the path forward isn't always clear. The Accountability Framework provides a practical roadmap, offering Principles and Guidance at each stage of this ethical supply chain journey.

1 Set Commitments

Develop new commitments or refresh current commitments.

2 Take Action

Implement policies and practices to fulfill commitments.

3 Demonstrate Progress

Monitor and document progress in a credible way.

Take Journey

The Accountability
Framework

The Accountability Framework is a set of common norms and guidance for establishing, implementing, and monitoring ethical supply chain commitments. A set of Core Principles form the foundation of the Framework. Common Definitions ensure that companies set and apply commitments using accepted and appropriate terminology. And Operational Guidance accompanying the Principles provides supporting detail on putting it all into practice.

See Contents of the Framework

As companies, we all want rules of the game. We all want to know what we can report against transparently to demonstrate to stakeholders that we're really making these efforts in our supply chains. The Accountability Framework allows us to do that in a really clear and detailed way.

— Rachael Sherman Director Global Sustainability, McDonald's Corporation

One primary use of the Accountability Framework for companies to use it to benchmark their commitments. Companies can see how their policies match up to the Framework and see what they need to improve.

— Mike Senior Deputy Director - Conservation and Land Use, Proforest

The Accountability Framework can help everyone to speak the same language, making it faster and easier for all of us to deliver on commitments.

— Michel Santos Director, Global Sustainability, Bunge

News

By Jeff Milder and Sofia Perez | March 19, 2020

Thinking globally and acting locally to achieve ethical supply chains

You work for a global company with a global supply chain—one that might span dozens of countries, regions, or commodity sectors. So even as you build a coherent approach to managing the big picture, you must also address the unique realities of each commodity origin and context. Your company will likely have business-wide sustainability policies, … Continued

By Sofia Perez | March 12, 2020

Sustainability without silos

Weaving together environmental and social good practices for an ethical supply chain Managing a supply chain is rarely a seamless process. Even as you work toward your business objectives and focus on the bottom line, you also have to set goals, develop systems, and implement practices for corporate responsibility. Being a good corporate citizen is … Continued

Sofia Perez, AFi Backbone Team | December 5, 2019

Set Smart Goals to Go the Distance with Ethical Supply Chains

Building an ethical supply chain is a marathon, not a sprint. As with a marathon, you have to prepare before you head for the starting line—familiarizing yourself with the landscape, learning the ground rules, and designing a program to help you go the distance. The Accountability Framework provides companies with the guidance they need to … Continued