26th November 2024

By Aleyda Carrillo , Director of Standards and Assurance

At Bonsucro, our commitment to continuous improvement means ensuring that our certification system remains strong, credible, and in line with evolving industry standards.

In July, we announced the review of our assurance system, a vital component of our certification process that sets the rules and procedures for compliance assessments. While the final system is still in development, we want to keep our members informed and prepared for the upcoming changes.

Why this review?

The assurance system provides a clear framework for conducting audits and verifying operators’ compliance, helping to maintain the credibility of Bonsucro certification.

The world around us is evolving quickly, and our systems need to keep pace. This review is essential to:

• Align with the latest regulations: As global sustainability reporting regulations continue to evolve, keeping our assurance system up-to-date minimises the risk of inaccurate claims and ensures that Bonsucro certification remains credible.
• Incorporate new technologies and data-driven methodologies: New audit methodologies and data-driven technologies are transforming how we assess compliance. The revised system will leverage these innovations to improve efficiency and accuracy.
• Reflect the latest version of the Production Standard: The assurance system must align with the latest updates to the Bonsucro Production Standard (v5.2), ensuring consistency across all aspects of certification.

What will change?

While we can’t share specifics just yet due to ongoing internal consultations, we can confidently say that these changes will make Bonsucro certification more valuable and credible.

The improved assurance system will:

• Tighten definitions to remove ambiguity;
• Provide clarity on the scope and type of certifications that Bonsucro offers;
• Provide clearer guidance on how to carry out social auditing and how to approach stakeholder consultations;
• Be clearer on roles and responsibilities in the audit process, and strengthen the license and oversight procedures for Certification Bodies;
• Improve the processes for the extension of certificates and closure of non-conformities.

What is the process like?

The revision is a complex process, taking significant investment. To make it manageable, we’re tackling it in phases – starting with a review of our certification protocol, followed by updates to other assurance documents.

To ensure that our members’ views are represented, we are working closely with the Members’ Council. We have also gathered input from the Technical Advisory Committee and our internal Assurance Committee.

What’s next?

The proposed improvements will be presented to the assurance sub-committee of the Membership Council. After that, members can expect to see the proposal on the agenda at the full Members Council meeting on 10 December. We also plan to consult with external stakeholders such as licensed certification bodies and training providers.

Our intention is to publish the revised assurance system in Summer 2025.

We want to keep you informed throughout this process and ensure everyone is prepared for the changes ahead. This is an important step in strengthening our programme, and while it may not come without challenges, it’s a positive development for the future of the sugarcane sector.

If you have any questions or concerns, the Standards & Assurance team is here to help at assurance@bonsucro.com