Access the Accountability Framework
View and download the Accountability Framework documents, including Core Principles, Operational Guidance, and definitions.
The Accountability Framework is a practical roadmap for addressing deforestation, conversion, and human rights in agricultural and forestry supply chains. It represents the consensus of a diverse coalition of environmental and human rights NGOs, as well as expectations from leading companies, financial institutions, and international norms. Companies and other stakeholders can use the Framework to set goals, take action, and monitor progress towards achieving ethical supply chains.
All Documents
| Details | Document | Updated | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
Accountability FrameworkA zip file of the Accountability Framework's Core Principles, Operational Guidance, and definitions. | 1 Zip File, containing 15 PDFs (32.1 MB) | February 2024 |
Core Principles document
| Details | Document | Updated | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
Core PrinciplesThe Accountability Framework's 12 Core Principles, across seven different action areas. | 1 PDF ( 3.13 MB) | April 2023 |
Definitions Document
| Details | Document | Updated | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
Definitions (English)Key terms and concepts used in the Accountability Framework. | 1 PDF (714 kB) | February 2024 |
Operational Guidance Documents
| Details | Document | Updated | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
Operational Guidance: Achieving Commitments Through CollaborationGuidance on how companies can collaborate with other stakeholders in the landscapes, jurisdictions, and sectors in which they operate to meet their commitments. | 1 PDF (1.09 MB) | May 2020 | |
Operational Guidance: Applying the Definitions Related to Deforestation, ConversionGuidance on how to apply definitions of deforestation and conversion in practice. Including Q&A and illustrative examples that demonstrate how to apply these definitions in different contexts. | 1 PDF (19.4 MB) | April 2023 | |
Operational Guidance: Cutoff DatesGuidance on how to select cutoff dates for no-deforestation and no-conversion commitments, including for complex sourcing scenarios (Eg, sourcing multiple commodities from multiple regions.) | 1 PDF (2.51 MB) | September 2023 | |
Operational Guidance: Environmental Restoration and CompensationGuidance on how to conduct restoration and/or compensation when environmental harms have occurred in company operations or supply chains. | 1 PDF (2.19 MB) | May 2020 | |
Operational Guidance: Free, Prior and Informed ConsentGuidance outlining company best practice in securing the free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in operations and supply chains. | 1 PDF (983 KB) | May 2020 | |
Operational Guidance: Monitoring and VerificationGuidance on monitoring and independent verification of commitments to no-deforestation, no-conversion and human rights, following recognised norms and good practice. Focused on performance at the supply base level. | 1 PDF (1.93 MB) | May 2020 | |
Operational Guidance: Remediation and Access to RemedyGuidance on how companies can ensure proper access to remedy and remediation of human rights harms in their supply chains and operations, including the use of grievance mechanisms. | 1 PDF (1.44 MB) | May 2020 | |
Operational Guidance: Reporting, Disclosure, and ClaimsGuidance on reporting progress and compliance related to deforestation, conversion, and human rights commitments. With information on public reporting methodologies, transparency through disclosure, and claims. | 1 PDF (1.73 MB) | May 2020 | |
Operational Guidance: Respecting the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and Local CommunitiesGuidance on the scope of responsibilities in respecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities, detailing how to identify impacts and the actions required to ensure they are respected. | 1 PDF (926KB) | May 2020 | |
Operational Guidance: Smallholder Inclusion in Ethical Supply ChainsGuidance on how to engage smallholders in their supply chains in a mutually beneficial manner. This includes providing benefits and incentives to smallholders, while enabling companies to fulfil commitments. | 1 PDF (2.78 MB) | May 2020 | |
Operational Guidance: Supply Chain ManagementGuidance for buyers at any stage of the supply chain on effective supplier management approaches. Fcusing on traceability of raw material origins, assessment of risk, and supplier engagement to support compliance. | 1 PDF (2.76 MB) | May 2020 | |
Operational Guidance: Voluntary Commitments and Applicable LawGuidance on how the implementation of voluntary commitments relates to international/national legal requirements. Includes details on procedures to identify and assess applicable law related to the Accountability Framework. | 1 PDF (1.59 MB) | May 2020 | |
Operational Guidance: Workers' RightsGuidance on ensuring respect for workers’ rights within company operations and supply chains, expanding on the workers’ rights provisions listed in Core Principle 2.3, including summaries, best practices, and links to support. | 1 PDF (0.98MB) | August 2021 |
