Home Certification Schemes ISO 34101-1
Food Safety ISO 34101-1 2019

Sustainable & Traceable Cocoa

Requirements for sustainable and traceable cocoa management systems covering environmental, social, and economic aspects of cocoa production and supply chain management.

agriculture food production sustainability supply chain
About This Standard

ISO 34101-1 specifies requirements for sustainable and traceable cocoa management systems, addressing the environmental, social, and economic dimensions of cocoa production. It covers farming practices, child labour prevention, deforestation avoidance, and supply chain traceability from farm to export.

Cocoa supply chains are among the most complex in the food sector, typically involving thousands of smallholder farmers, multiple intermediaries, and global traders. The standard provides a framework for verifiable sustainability claims and supply chain transparency.

ACI-certified auditors assess cocoa supply chain management systems, verify compliance with sustainability requirements, and evaluate the rigour of traceability systems from farm to first point of export.

Examination Topic Areas
Sustainable cocoa farming practices and agronomy
Child labour prevention and social auditing in cocoa communities
Deforestation prevention and biodiversity protection requirements
Traceability system design from farm to export point
Social requirements for cocoa farming communities
Economic sustainability and fair income for smallholder farmers
Certification and chain of custody requirements
Third-party verification of sustainability claims and data
Examination & Certification Process
01
Attend Training

Attend an ACI-Approved Training Provider (ATP) course for your chosen grade level. ACI-approved courses are aligned to the examination syllabus for ISO 34101-1.

02
Sit the Examination

Examinations are administered exclusively through ACI Approved Training Providers. Foundation and Internal Auditor examinations require 70% to pass; Lead Auditor requires 65%.

03
Apply for Certification

Submit your application through the ACI portal with your examination result, training certificate, and relevant audit experience log. Upon approval you receive your ACI Card ID and digital certificate.

Scheme Details
Standard ISO 34101-1
Edition 2019
Category Food Safety
Cert. Period 3 years
Framework ISO/IEC 17024 Aligned
Available Grades PA · AA · AU · LA · PR · FACI
All Certification Schemes
Auditor Grades

Available Grades for ISO 34101-1

All six ACI auditor grades are available for this scheme. Each grade has defined competence, experience, and examination requirements.

PA
Provisional Auditor

Entry-level certification for those beginning their auditing career. Suitable for individuals who have completed foundation training but have limited audit experience.

Foundation examination pass (70%)
No prior audit experience required
Annual CPD requirement applies
AA
Associate Auditor

For auditors who have completed Internal Auditor training and have begun accumulating audit experience under supervision or in an internal audit role.

Internal Auditor examination pass
Minimum 2 internal audits conducted
Annual CPD requirement applies
AU
Auditor

Full auditor grade for practitioners with demonstrated audit experience. Recognised as a competent independent auditor of management systems.

Internal Auditor examination pass
Minimum 5 complete audits
Annual CPD requirement applies
LA
Lead Auditor

Senior grade for experienced auditors capable of leading audit teams and managing full audit programmes. The most widely recognised auditor grade internationally.

Lead Auditor examination pass (65%)
Lead Auditor training course
Minimum 10 complete audits as team lead
PR
Principal Auditor

Advanced grade for highly experienced auditors demonstrating sustained performance in complex audit environments and contributions to the auditing profession.

Lead Auditor grade prerequisite
Minimum 5 years audit experience
Professional development portfolio
FACI
Fellow of ACI

The highest ACI designation, awarded to individuals who have made an exceptional contribution to the management system auditing profession and to the ACI community.

By nomination and committee review
Exceptional professional contribution
Sustained ACI membership
Ready to certify in ISO 34101-1?

Find an Approved Training Provider, sit the examination, and submit your application to ACI.