Chapter 4

NVTS™ Standard Requirements

The Five Natural Value Pillars

4.1 Purpose

This chapter establishes the mandatory requirements against which applicants are assessed during an NVTS™ certification audit.

Each requirement is evaluated using objective evidence collected through:

• Field observation
• Interviews
• Documentation review
• Physical inspection
• Laboratory reports (where applicable)
• Digital traceability records
• Geospatial data
• Photographic evidence

Each pillar contributes 20 points, giving a maximum certification score of 100 points.

Pillar 1 – Nature (20 Points)

Objective

To assess the organization’s stewardship of natural resources and commitment to environmental sustainability.

Nature forms the foundation of all agricultural systems. Certified organizations shall demonstrate responsible management of soil, water, biodiversity, climate resilience, and ecosystem health.

Principle N1 – Soil Health

Requirement

The organization shall maintain and improve soil fertility through sustainable soil management practices.

Indicators

✔ Soil organic matter

✔ Soil pH monitoring

✔ Nutrient management plan

✔ Organic matter recycling

✔ Erosion prevention

Audit Evidence

• Soil test reports
• Fertilizer records
• Composting records
• Cover crop records
• Farm observations

Scoring

Principle N2 – Water Stewardship

Requirement

Water shall be used efficiently while protecting surrounding water resources.

Indicators

• Water conservation
• Water quality
• Irrigation efficiency
• Wastewater management
• Riparian protection

Evidence

• Water testing reports
• Irrigation records
• Water permits
• Drainage systems
• Field inspection

Maximum Score: 4

Principle N3 – Biodiversity

Requirement

The organization shall actively conserve biodiversity.

Indicators

✔ Shade trees

✔ Indigenous vegetation

✔ Pollinator habitats

✔ Wildlife protection

✔ Agroforestry

Evidence

• Biodiversity maps
• Tree inventory
• GIS records
• Satellite imagery
• Farm inspection

Maximum Score: 4

Principle N4 – Climate Smart Agriculture

Requirement

The organization shall demonstrate resilience to climate change.

Indicators

• Climate adaptation plan
• Drought management
• Carbon reduction
• Renewable energy
• Efficient irrigation

Evidence

• Climate risk assessment
• Energy records
• Farm management plan
• Carbon reports

Maximum Score: 4

Principle N5 – Ecosystem Integrity

Requirement

Agricultural activities shall maintain ecosystem functions.

Indicators

✔ Buffer zones

✔ Wetland protection

✔ Forest conservation

✔ Wildlife corridors

✔ Landscape restoration

Maximum Score: 4

Nature Pillar Summary

Total Nature Score: /20

Pillar 2 – People (20 Points)

Objective

To promote dignity, equity, safety, and prosperity for all people participating in the value chain.

Principle P1 – Fair Labour

Indicators

• Employment contracts
• Fair wages
• Working hours
• Child labour prevention
• Forced labour prevention

Evidence:

• Payroll
• Employment contracts
• Interviews

Maximum Score: 4

Principle P2 – Occupational Health & Safety

Indicators

✔ PPE availability

✔ First aid

✔ Emergency preparedness

✔ Machinery safety

✔ Chemical handling

Evidence

• Safety inspection
• Training records
• Incident reports

Maximum Score: 4

Principle P3 – Inclusion

Assessment Areas

• Women participation
• Youth participation
• Persons with disabilities
• Equal opportunity
• Non-discrimination

Evidence

• HR records
• Interviews
• Community records

Maximum Score: 4

Principle P4 – Community Development

Indicators

• Local employment
• Community investment
• Education support
• Farmer training
• Social responsibility

Maximum Score: 4

Principle P5 – Capacity Building

Indicators

✔ Staff training

✔ Farmer extension

✔ Technical support

✔ Innovation

✔ Knowledge sharing

Maximum Score: 4

People Summary

Total People Score: /20

Pillar 3 – Culture (20 Points)

Objective

To recognize and preserve cultural heritage, indigenous knowledge, and community identity associated with agricultural production.

Principle C1 – Indigenous Knowledge

Indicators

• Traditional farming practices
• Local ecological knowledge
• Indigenous crop management
• Community wisdom

Maximum Score: 4

Principle C2 – Heritage Conservation

Indicators

✔ Historical production systems

✔ Traditional coffee varieties

✔ Heritage landscapes

✔ Historical documentation

Maximum Score: 4

Principle C3 – Storytelling & Identity

Indicators

• Farm story documented
• Producer identity
• Brand authenticity
• Local language preservation

Maximum Score: 4

Principle C4 – Cultural Participation

Indicators

• Community events
• Farmer associations
• Knowledge exchange
• Cultural education

Maximum Score: 4

Principle C5 – Cultural Sustainability

Indicators

✔ Intergenerational knowledge transfer

✔ Youth engagement

✔ Preservation initiatives

✔ Local leadership

Maximum Score: 4

Culture Summary

Total Culture Score: /20

Pillar 4 – Quality (20 Points)

Objective

To ensure that products consistently meet defined quality, safety, and customer expectations.

Principle Q1 – Product Quality

• Physical quality
• Defect management
• Uniformity
• Grading

Maximum Score: 4

Principle Q2 – Processing

• Harvesting
• Fermentation
• Drying
• Storage

Maximum Score: 4

Principle Q3 – Food Safety

• Hygiene
• Contamination prevention
• Chemical management
• Pest control

Maximum Score: 4

Principle Q4 – Quality Assurance

• Internal inspections
• Calibration
• Laboratory testing
• Record keeping

Maximum Score: 4

Principle Q5 – Customer Satisfaction

• Complaint handling
• Traceability
• Product consistency
• Continuous improvement

Maximum Score: 4

Quality Summary

Total Quality Score: /20

Pillar 5 – Trade (20 Points)

Objective

To ensure ethical, transparent, and traceable commercial practices throughout the supply chain.

Principle T1 – Traceability

Indicators

• Lot identification
• Batch coding
• QR codes
• Digital records

Maximum Score: 4

Principle T2 – Ethical Trade

Indicators

• Honest business practices
• Supplier transparency
• Contract compliance
• Responsible sourcing

Maximum Score: 4

Principle T3 – Market Readiness

Indicators

• Export documentation
• Product labeling
• Packaging compliance
• Market specifications

Maximum Score: 4

Principle T4 – Digital Systems

Indicators

• Digital Product Passport
• Blockchain verification (where used)
• Cloud record management
• Secure data handling

Maximum Score: 4

Principle T5 – Continuous Improvement

Indicators

• Internal audits
• Management reviews
• Corrective actions
• Performance monitoring

Maximum Score: 4

Trade Summary

Total Trade Score: /20

Chapter 4 Summary

At the completion of the assessment, the auditor shall calculate:

Certification Rating

End of Chapter 4

Next Chapter: Chapter 5 – Audit Planning, Audit Process, Evidence Collection, Sampling Techniques, and Interview Methodology, which will provide detailed guidance for conducting consistent and credible NVTS™ certification audits.