Cover
Acknowledgement
2
Table of content
3
1. Introduction
1.1 BONSUCRO
Bonsucro is a global multi-stakeholder non-for-profit initiative dedicated to reducing the
environmental and social impacts of sugarcane production while recognising the need for
economic viability. The mission of Bonsucro is to achieve a sugarcane sector that is
continuously improving and verified as sustainable by acting collaboratively within the
sector and working to continuously improve the three pillars of sustainability: economic,
social and environmental viability. Bonsucro aims to achieve this mission through providing
the definition for sustainable sugarcane and all sugarcane derived products through a multistakeholder approach. Bonsucro also aims at ensuring the integrity of the implementation
of the Bonsucro Production and Chain of Custody Standards, through the implementation of
the Certification Protocol.
1.2 Objective of The Chain of Custody Standard
The objective of this Bonsucro Chain of Custody Standard is to provide assurance that claims
about the sustainable production of sugarcane and their respective derivatives can be
tracked along the supply chain.
It is aimed at Bonsucro members who wish to achieve certification. It is also used by Licensed
Certification Bodies and auditors when carrying out certification audits. Finally it is aimed
at the wider audience of the sugarcane sector and any other interested parties.
The document shall be read in conjunction with the Guidance for the Bonsucro Chain of
Custody Standard as this document contains additional explanations to support compliance
with the indicators of the Chain of Custody Standard.
1.3 History of the Document
1.3.1 Version 4.0
In March 2014, upon the recommendation of the Bonsucro Secretariat, the Board of Directors
agreed to start the revision process of the Bonsucro Chain of Custody Standard and
Guidance. The Board instructed the Secretariat to follow the Standard Revision Procedure
set up in line with the ISEAL Code of Best Practice for Standard Setting. The Secretariat
called for one representative of each class of membership to form the Standard Revision
Taskforce (SRT). The SRT first met remotely in September 2014. The SRTF was given the
task to draft the new version of the Bonsucro Chain of Custody Standard and Guidance. Each
meeting was minuted and minutes were made public on the Bonsucro website.
Description about the entire process to be added
4
Revision round
Date
Description of amendment
A
June 2010
B
July 2010
Draft version send to Bonsucro EU Sub Committee
Final version approved by Bonsucro Management
Committee
C
December 2010
Revision made based on compliance with EU RED
D
February 2011
Revision made based on compliance with EU RED
Draft version 4.0
November 2014
First draft open for public consultation
Draft version 4.1
June 2015
Second draft open for public consultation
To be continued
This document is written in the English language. Bonsucro does not assume any liability for
errors or misunderstandings introduced when this document is translated into other
languages.
Bonsucro Standards are reviewed at least every five years. The next review is scheduled for
XXXX.
2. Scope
This Chain of Custody Standard offers two scopes for certification:
1. “Bonsucro”: compliant with Bonsucro requirements
2. “Bonsucro EU”: compliant with Bonsucro requirements PLUS additional requirements
that are needed for EU RED compliance (in line with the EU Renewable Energy
Directive (RED) 2009/28/EC and the EU Fuel Quality Directive (FQD) 2009/30/EC)
and those that are required for certification of sugarcane derived wastes and
residues as feedstocks.
Within the Bonsucro Certification System documents (i.e. Standards, Guidance, and
Certification Protocol) the extra Bonsucro EU requirements are clearly marked. For
certification against Bonsucro EU, the Bonsucro requirements PLUS all additional EU RED
requirements must be met. Achieving Bonsucro EU certification is equivalent to achieving
Bonsucro certification. Whereas the contrary does not apply; achieving Bonsucro
certification is not equivalent to achieving Bonsucro EU certification.
3. Referenced Publications
Guidance to the Bonsucro Chain of Custody Standard X
Bonsucro Production Standard v4.01 September 2014
5
Bonsucro Certification Protocol v4.1 September 2011
Bonsucro Calculator v4.05 January 2015
Claims and Labelling; Logo Use requirements document v5.02 January 2014
EU Directive 2009/28/EC (RED) on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable
sources
EU Directive 2009/30/EC (FQD) as regards the specification of petrol, diesel and gas-oil and
introducing a mechanism to monitor and reduce greenhouse gas emissions
ISEAL Code of Good Practice for Setting Social and Environmental Standards v6.0 December
2014
ISO/IEC 17065:2012 – Conformity assessment – Requirements for bodies certifying products,
processes and services
ISO/IEC 17021:2011 – Conformity Assessment – Requirements for bodies providing audit and
certification of management systems
PAS2050:2008 – Specification for the assessment of the life cycle greenhouse gas emissions
of goods and services
Requirements for the operation of the Bonsucro Credit Trading System v1.2 April 2014
4. Definitions
Normative references for definitions referring to:
ISO 9000:2005; ISO 14001:2004; ISO IEC Guide 17000:2004; EU RED (2009/28/EC); EU FQD
(2009/30/EC); CEN/TC383
Bonsucro certified members: Bonsucro members who are in compliance with the
Bonsucro Certification System.
Cane supply area: area which a mill defines as the farms/estates supplying cane for the
purposes of certification.
Certification Body: i.e. Conformity Assessment Body; Body that performs the audit
Note 1 - An accreditation body is not a conformity assessment body (ISO/IEC
17000:2004)
(Source: Adapted from ISO/IEC 17011:2005)
Chain of Custody: the supply chain of a product including all stages from the feedstock
production up until the release of the product for consumption.
Client: next legal owner of the product in the Chain of Custody.
Consignment: quantity (e.g. batch, lot, load) of product mass with unique identification
number and attached data specifying the product content in terms of kilograms (or tons of
6
sugar or litres/m3 of ethanol), the sustainability characteristics and greenhouse gas emission
values assigned to that quantity in terms of EU Directive 2009/28/EC (RED) annex V.
Conversion factors: are the ratio between the output material and the input material.
Conversion factors will be specific to facilities and should be accurately documented in the
mass balance system.
Document: Information and its supporting medium.
Note 1 - The medium can be paper, magnetic, electronic or optical computer disk,
photograph or master sample, or a combination thereof;
Note 2 - Adapted from ISO 9001:2000; ISO 14001:2004
Economic operator: Individual, company or organization which has ownership and/or
control of sugarcane and/or all sugarcane derived products, from their origin to their market
availability, for one or several steps in the supply chain.
Note 1 - Organization is being used here as defined in ISO 14001.
Intermediate product: Output from a unit process that is an input to another unit process
or processes involving further transformation within the system. (Source: CEN/TC383)
Internal Control System (ICS): A documented set of procedures and processes that defines
how a supply chain certification system works, ensures that records are maintained, records
internal audits and explains responsibilities. It defines which standards are applicable and
ensures that non-compliances are dealt with according to a set of procedures and sanctions.
Inventory Period: A consistent period over which physical Bonsucro certified product and
sustainability data is reconciled. Unallocated sustainability data may be carried over to the
next inventory period following mass balance rules. This period must not exceed three
months.
Finished product: Where no further modification occurs.
Mass balance: A system for administratively monitoring the inputs and outputs of certified
material/product throughout the supply chain. It allows for mixing of these
materials/products at any stage in the supply chain, provided that the outputs of certified
material/product do not exceed the inputs of certified material/products. Material
conversion rates need to be included.
Multiple sites: A group of sites that have a contractual link, a defined Central Office and a
minimum of two participating sites. Such sites may be groups of refineries, food processors,
etc, brought together under a Central Office and administered using an Internal Control
System (ICS). Central Offices that also physically handle and/or process Bonsucro certified
product or sustainable data are counted as both Central Office and a participating site.
Reporting period: This will be one year, starting from certification date, unless otherwise
agreed.
Site: A single functional unit of an economic operator or a combination of units
situated at one locality, which is geographically distinct from other units.
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Supplier: Previous legal owner of the product in the Chain of Custody.
Sustainability characteristics: States or properties as a means of judging whether or not a
sustainability principle has been fulfilled. (Source: CEN/TC383)
Traceability: The ability of each economic operator in the chain of custody to trace back
sustainability criteria one step back to the supplier and one step forward to the client.
Symbols and
Abbreviations
ChoC
g
GHG
ha
HCV
kg
kJ
L
MJ
t
y
Chain of Custody
grams
greenhouse gas
hectares
high conservation value
kilograms
kilojoules
litres
megajoules
metric tonnes
year
5. Framework for auditing
5.1 The Bonsucro Certification System
The Bonsucro Certification System consists of three main elements:
1- Standards: Bonsucro has developed two standards:
o The “Bonsucro Production Standard” contains principles and criteria for
achieving sustainable production of sugarcane and all sugarcane derived
products in respect of economic, social and environmental dimensions.
o The “Bonsucro Mass Balance Chain of Custody Standard” contains a set of
technical and administrative requirements for enabling the tracking of claims on
the sustainable production of Bonsucro sugarcane and all sugarcane derived
products along the entire supply chain from fields to mill including
transportation; through to production (e.g. conversion, processing,
manufacturing, transformation), to warehousing, transportation and trade, to
the use of sugarcane and all sugarcane derived products.
2- Guidance for implementation: Bonsucro has developed guidance documents for
members that provide further information on how to become compliant with the
Bonsucro Production Standard and/or Chain of Custody Standard.
3- Certification Protocol: Bonsucro has developed a Certification Protocol for auditors
that lists the process and procedures for certification against the Bonsucro
Standards. This includes: 1.) rules and requirements for independent Certification
Bodies to audit against the Bonsucro standards, and 2.) audit procedures for
independent Certification Bodies to verify compliance with the Bonsucro Standards.
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Together, these three elements form the Bonsucro Certification System. As such, these
individual documents must always be used in relation to each other.
5.2.
Unit of certification

All Bonsucro certified mills are required to certify to both the Production standard
and this Chain of Custody Standard. In addition, any economic operator who
physically mixes, splits and/or reprocesses Bonsucro certified sugarcane products
and/or derivatives thereof must be chain of custody certified.

The unit of certification is an economic operator, either the mill and its cane
supplying area and/or the economic operator taking ownership and centrally
managing mass balance with their storage and reprocessing or other facilities. The
economic operator has the ultimate responsibility for compliance with the Bonsucro
Standards and is the certificate holder.

The cane supply area included in the unit of certification comprises the
farms/estates supplying cane in conformity with the Bonsucro Production Standard.
This may be all of the farms/estates supplying cane to the mill, or a lesser number.
In the latter case only a respective percentage of the mill’s production would be
considered as Bonsucro certified, and/or:

The storage and reprocessing facilities included in the unit of certification comprises
of the storage and reprocessing facilities procuring and/or supplying products in
conformity with the Bonsucro Chain of Custody Standard. This may be 100% of the
storage/reprocessing facilities procuring and/or supplying Bonsucro certified
products, or a lesser number. In the latter case only the sites included in the central
management of the mass balance system would be able to handle Bonsucro certified
products.

To guarantee that the sugarcane included in the unit of certification is actually
processed by the mill, the mill must have a management system in place to ensure
that the sugarcane processed at the mill is coming from a given field included in the
unit of certification.

If the economic operator is purchasing sugarcane derived products (including
sugarcane wastes and residues) not produced within the unit of certification, for
reprocessing or not, it shall demonstrate whether the sources of production fulfil
the requirements of the Bonsucro Production Standard and/or Bonsucro EU
Production Standard.

Eligibility of wastes and residues for double counting against the EU RED is defined
by each Member State and economic operators should seek additional guidance on
this. A confirmed list of eligible materials does not exist but any violation of the
requirement to avoid waste would render the material ineligible.

Retailers and distributers of finished products, where no further modification occurs,
do not need Chain of Custody certification.
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
Economic operators that repackage sugarcane products need Chain of Custody
certification.
5.3.
Certification process

Audits are conducted where the mass balance is held.

Only after certification (date when the economic operator starts to be listed at the
“certified members” list at Bonsucro’s webpage) are economic operators allowed
to start claiming about their purchase of Bonsucro certified products and/or sell
Bonsucro certified products and claim it as such. Any claims must adhere to the
Bonsucro Claims and Labelling requirements.

In order to achieve certification with the Bonsucro Chain of Custody Standard:
o Full compliance with indicators, except for indicator 5.1.3, in the case of
Bonsucro Chain of Custody Certification, and
o Compliance with all indicators, including indicator 5.1.3, is required for
Bonsucro EU Chain of Custody Certification.

A mill that applies for certification against the Bonsucro Production Standard must
also apply for certification against the Bonsucro Chain of Custody Standard. A
certificate can only be issued when the mill is found compliant with both
Standards. A mill cannot be issued a Bonsucro Production Standard certificate
without being in compliance with the Chain of Custody Standard.

The result of the audit will be the possibility of claiming and/or selling a volume of
Bonsucro certified products, according to the certified volume procured.

The certification decision will be based on the audit report. Documents showing
evidence with the indicators must be presented by the economic operator and
verified during the audit process.

The audit will be performed according to the frequency defined by Bonsucro in the
Certification Protocol.

The audit must be performed by Bonsucro licensed Certification Bodies.
For more certification requirements see the Bonsucro Certification Protocol
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6. Bonsucro Chain of Custody Standard
Principle 1. Implementing Mass Balance Chain of Custody
The unit of certification is an economic operator. Each step in the chain of legal ownership shall implement the requirements within the scope of their
direct control. A separate certificate will be issued for each economic operator. It is possible for multiple sites to be included within the scope of a single
certificate.
Criterion 1.1. The economic operator shall implement the Mass Balance requirements within the scope identified
Indicator
1.1.1
1.1.2
1.1.3
Standard Notes
The economic operator shall identify the scope of the
Mass Balance system.
The economic operator shall define the unit of
certification, including number of sites and the type
of operations covered by the scope of their mass
balance Bonsucro Chain of Custody
In cases where the economic operator seeking or
holding certification outsources activities to
independent third parties (e.g. subcontracts for
storage, transport or other outsourced activities) it
shall ensure that such independent third parties
comply with the intent and requirements of all
applicable requirements of the Bonsucro Chain of
Custody standard.
Y/N
An economic operator may opt for Bonsucro Chain of Custody
Certification and/or Bonsucro EU Chain of Custody Certification.
Y/N
An economic operator with multiple sites must implement the mass
balance requirements at the level of a single physical site.
A mixture can have any form where consignments would normally be in
contact. This could include a processing site or physical onsite storage,
or be at a smaller unit such as an individual tank.
Y/N
Where storage is outsourced and is not located at the same geographical
location, the economic operator must consider this as a separate site,
and the balance of volumes in/out must be applied separately to this
site.
1.1.4
All sites shall have an agreement with the economic
operator requiring appropriate reporting and
communication.
Y/N
Criterion 1.2 The economic operator has a system in place to implement the mass balance requirements
1.2.1
The economic operator shall have an appointed
management
representative
with
overall
responsibility and authority for implementation and
compliance with all applicable requirements of the
Bonsucro Chain of Custody standard.
Y/N
1.2.2
The economic operator shall establish, implement
and maintain procedures and/or work instructions
covering all applicable requirements of the Bonsucro
Chain of Custody standard. The procedures and/or
work instructions shall be according to the scale and
complexity of the economic operator, covering all
sites included in the scope.
Y/N
1.2.3
The economic operator shall implement a centrally
administered and documented record keeping
system for all records and reports related to
implementation of the Bonsucro Chain of Custody
standard, including purchase and sales documents,
training records, production records and volume
summaries. The record retention period shall be
specified by the economic operator and shall be at
least five (5) years.
Y/N
1.2.4
The economic operator shall undertake an annual
internal review of performance, including the
Y/N
The management representative can have other roles/functions in
addition to implementation of the Bonsucro Chain of Custody Standard,
including responsibity for entering and validating data in the mass
balance system and per sites.
This is not the same thing as the third party surveillance audit.
2
effectiveness of quality management systems and the
compliance of the sites with the requirements of this
Standard.
3
Principle 2. Validating Bonsucro Data
Criterion 2.1 The economic operator shall validate the Bonsucro data
Indicator
Standard Notes
2.1.1
The economic operator shall check the supplier
contract, invoice and supporting documentation to
ensure the supplied Bonsucro certified product
matches the accompanying documentation and
includes all information required in Appendix X, and
where applicable for EU RED, Appendix Y.
2.1.2
Where applicable, the economic operator shall use
conversion rates in order to calculate the equivalent
output weight or volume associated with the received
Bonsucro consignment.
2.1.3
The economic operator shall maintain the accuracy of
any measuring equipment used.
Y/N
Validation is counted from the date the supplier invoice and/or
supporting documentation is received. This includes checking the validity
of the supplier’s Bonsucro ChoC certificate.
Y/N
Methodology for the calculation of conversion factors should be
documented. Calculation of conversion factors should take into account
the different processing steps involved and spills or losses, to ensure
that disproportionate allocation of losses to non-certified product does
not occur.
Y/N
Calibration of metering and weighing equipment in the operations or
used by subcontractors for volume or weight input and output should
be undertaken as per manufacturer’s guidelines.
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Principle 3. Reconciling Bonsucro Data
Criteria 3.1 The economic operator shall record and manage the Bonsucro data
Indicator
Standard Notes
3.1.1
The economic operator shall define and use a
consistent point to identify when Bonsucro certified
product enters the system.
Y/N
3.1.2
The
supplier
invoice
and/or
supporting
documentation shall be received within 30 days after
the economic operator becomes the legal owner or
physically receives the product.
Y/N
3.1.3
The volume or quantity of the Bonsucro certified
product received and the associated sustainability
characteristics shall be recorded in the system, within
one week, after validity has been confirmed.
3.1.4
3.1.5
Allocation of Bonsucro and Bonsucro EU RED data
shall only be to products which are fungible with
sugarcane-derived products.
The economic operator shall define and use a
consistent point to identify when Bonsucro certified
product leaves the system.
The date which product enters the system (i.e. is available for allocation)
may not always be on the same day that the economic operator receives
the product physically.
Product entering the mass balance system can either be the date it is
physically received, or the date where the economic operator takes
ownership. Whichever approach used must be consistent for all
consignments received under the same contractual terms.
Y/N
One week is counted from the date the supplier invoice and/or
supporting documentation is received. The economic operator may
collect data and records an input these at regular intervals (if set out in
procedures) rather than as received.
Y/N
For example, data can be allocated to any type of ethanol (e.g. corn,
wheat, sugarcane) or any type of sugar (cane, beet), provided they could
be mixed (are ‘fungible’).
Bonsucro data cannot be allocated to products which can’t be made
from sugarcane, for example no Bonsucro data could be allocated to
vegetable oil biodiesel or wheat flour.
Y/N
Product leaving the mass balance system can either be the date it
physically leaves the site, or the date where the client takes legal title.
Whichever approach used must be consistent for all consignments
received under the same contractual terms.
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3.1.6
The volume or quantity of the Bonsucro certified
product and the associated sustainability
characteristics leaving the system shall be recorded in
the system within one week.
3.1.7
The economic operator shall undertake inventories of
the input/output balance of the Bonsucro certified
product at fixed regular intervals, not exceeding three
months.
3.1.8
The volume or quantity of Bonsucro certified product
received should be greater than or equal to the
volume or quantity of Bonsucro certified product
supplied to clients over a fixed inventory period of
maximum three months.
3.1.9
Where the balance of inputs and outputs is positive
at the end of the economic operator’s inventory
period, sustainability data shall be carried into the
next inventory period.
3.1.10
Sustainability data shall only be valid for three years
at the economic operator or until the end of
certification of the economic operator, whichever
occurs sooner.
Y/N
Y/N
Y/N
Y/N
Y/N
One week is counted from the date the Bonsucro data leaves the system.
The economic operator may collect data and records and input these at
regular intervals (if set out in procedures) rather than as received.
This includes checking the physical stock-keeping and the data stockkeeping.
This is applied at the unit at which the economic operator is applying the
mass balance system.
All original information, e.g. initial date of entry into the system, will be
maintained.
Sustainability data shall only be allocated within three years or until the
end of certification of the economic operator, after this point the data
will expire and cannot be allocated to product. If an economic operator
is not re-certified then the data not transferred to clients will be
considered expired immediately.
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Principle 4. Tracing Bonsucro Data
Criteria 4.1 Sustainability characteristics of consignments are traceable within the economic operator’s mass balance system
Indicator
Standard Notes
4.1.1
Each consignment received shall be given a unique
identification code at the point when it is recorded
as entering the mass balance system.
Y/N
4.1.2
Where a volume or quantity of Bonsucro certified
product less than the volume or quantity of the
initial consignment is allocated to a client, a new
code will be generated for this consignment and a
new code generated for the remaining data.
Y/N
Where a combined consignment is supplied to a
client, the sustainability characteristics allocated
shall only be grouped if identical.
Y/N
4.1.3
It is not necessary for the unique identification code to remain assigned
to the original physical consignment within the economic operator’s
site.
A combined consignment may be allocated several codes or a new
identification code can be generated.
It is not allowed to average GHG data when combining consignments.
See Appendix Z
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Principle 5. Identifying Bonsucro Data to Clients
Criterion 5.1 Sustainability characteristics of consignments are identified to clients
Indicator
Standard Notes
5.1.1
Each consignment supplied to clients shall contain a
specification with at a minimum the data in
Appendix X.
5.1.2
Consignments supplied to clients clearly specify the
scope of compliance: Bonsucro compliant, Bonsucro
EU RED compliant.
5.1.3
(Bonsucro EU
Chain of
Custody only)
Each Bonsucro EU RED compliant consignment
contains a specification with at a minimum the data
specified in Appendices X and Y. GHG emissions
figures must be calculated according to specifications
laid down in the Bonsucro Production Standard.
Y/N
Specification meeting the minimum data of Appendix X does not need
to be sent with each consignment, if it is included in a contract.
Y/N
Y/N
Only required for option Bonsucro EU RED in addition to the above data
for Bonsucro.
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Appendix X: Minimum data assigned to
consignments for Bonsucro compliance
 Description of the raw material (sugarcane or sugarcane residues or wastes)
 The quantity, kg (tons) or litres (m3)
 Type of sugar (e.g. Pol, colour, sugar content in % w/w) or type of ethanol (e.g.
alcohol content in % v/v)
 Evidence showing compliance with the Bonsucro (certificate number) Production
Standard
 Buyer and seller contact information
Appendix Y: Additional data assigned to
consignments for Bonsucro EU compliance
 Evidence showing compliance with the Bonsucro EU (certificate number)
Production Standard
 A GHG emission figure derived from Bonsucro Production Standard or BioGrace
GHG calculation tool
 Country of origin
Appendix Z: Diagram on no GHG averaging, mixing
and splitting
TO BE ADDED