The Cerrado Coffee Growers Cooperative (Expocacer) has introduced its own international protocol, ECO, providing coffee producers with a self-verification system for sustainable ESG practices.

This initiative ensures that coffee production adheres to the rigorous standards demanded by national and international markets.

Granted by the Global Coffee Platform, the ECO protocol aligns with the Coffee Sustainability Reference Code, offering a robust second-party guarantee of compliance.

Farlla Gomes, technical and sustainability manager at Expocacer, said: “This is a major milestone for us. This increases the transparency and credibility of our processes. For our members, it means greater access to demanding markets that value sustainable practices. Our sustainability department will support farmers through training and resources to help them adopt and verify these practices, strengthening our entire supply chain."

The ECO certification involves internal audits by Expocacer’s sustainability department, as well as second-party audits.

The programme operates on a three-year cycle, focusing on strategic planning and gradual implementation of best practices. It is inclusive, supporting small, medium and large-scale producers, ensuring all farmers have access to tools for producing high-quality coffee.

Jorge Luiz de Carvalho Leite, certification and sustainability agent at Expocacer, stated: “The ECO protocol highlights the best practices and progress in sustainable farming among producers in the Cerrado Mineiro region, focusing on continuous improvement and trust through second-party audits. With this self-designed protocol, we ensure that our members and the cooperative promote innovative coffee farming, creating positive impact and delivering tangible results."

Expocacer highlighted: "These and other practices promoted by the cooperative not only add value to the coffee but also ensure that coffee production in the Cerrado Mineiro region meets the standards of the most demanding global markets. Through its Technical and Sustainability Department, Expocacer already covers over 15,000 hectares of regenerative certified farms."

The ECO protocol was developed in collaboration with Agrocert LTDA, a certification company with over 20 years of experience, and aligns with GCP guidelines. It connects Expocacer to a global network of more than 150 organisations across ten coffee-producing countries.

With this protocol, Expocacer gains the autonomy to verify its members’ adherence to international standards, underscoring its commitment to transparency, innovation and social responsibility.

Simão Pedro de Lima, executive president of Expocacer, added: “This is another important step in our journey toward transparency and responsibility across the entire production chain. At Expocacer, ESG is not just a project – it’s a principle embedded in our cooperative DNA. We work to integrate actions that respect the environment, promote community wellbeing and ensure ethical governance with radical transparency. This protocol reflects our commitment to real sustainability, demonstrating that we are building a fairer and more equitable future."