AFi Coalition updates Accountability Framework definitions
26 February 2024
Access the revised terms and definitions from the AFi Coalition today
One of the core purposes of the Accountability Framework initiative (AFi) is to establish consensus and alignment on key concepts related to responsible supply chains. To this end, the AFi has just published an updated version of its Terms and Definitions.
First launched in 2019, the definitions are a crucial pillar of the Accountability Framework, which also includes Core Principles and Operational Guidance. Companies and others involved in agricultural and forestry supply chains can use the definitions when setting goals, developing policies and procedures, managing supply chains, and monitoring and reporting on progress.
Key changes in this update include:
- More detail to help determine no-deforestation and no-conversion status of products and production units. This includes new or updated definitions of agriculture, compliance, plot, and production unit. These definitions can help companies align with stakeholder expectations and meet regulatory requirements, such as the EU Deforestation Regulation.
- Definitions to support full respect for human rights, following revisions to the Core Principles in 2023. This includes new definitions of living income and responsible recruitment.
- Definitions to clarify key concepts related to trade and traceability. This includes new or updated definitions of spot market, supply base, sourcing area, chain of custody, and the main chain of custody models.
The importance of common definitions
Common definitions enable companies and others working on responsible supply chains to start from an accepted vocabulary and move quickly towards solutions, rather than ‘reinvent the wheel’ and risk being misaligned with the expectations of their business partners and stakeholders.
The Accountability Framework’s definitions are grounded in international norms and best practices, and reflect the consensus of AFi’s broad civil society Coalition. They have also been adopted by myriad other sustainability standards, industry guidelines, reporting metrics, and other tools. Using the AFi’s definitions provides companies with a clearer understanding and greater confidence to act on deforestation, ecosystem conversion, and human rights abuses in their supply chains.
The definitions apply globally to all agricultural and forestry commodities, such as cattle, cocoa, coffee, palm oil, pulp/paper, timber, rubber, soy, and more. The definitions also apply to all stages of the supply chain, from production to retail.
About the Accountability Framework
The AFi released the Accountability Framework in mid-2019. In 2023, the AFi’s Coalition began publishing updates to the Framework to address user feedback, incorporate new developments, and reflect current consensus.
The Coalition has already updated several Framework documents including the Core Principles and Operational Guidance documents on applying definitions and setting cutoff dates. Those documents are available to download in five languages: English, French, Indonesian, Portuguese, and Spanish.
Further updates planned in 2024 will include the Operational Guidance documents on Indigenous Peoples’ and local communities; free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC); and access to remedy and remediation.