How information related to ‘Reflection of input characteristics’ and ‘Extent of input compensation’ should be declared when multiple production or processing steps take place at the same site?

Information on the ‘reflection of input characteristics’ and ‘extent of input compensation’ should be provided based on whether the compensation can be clearly traced and verified throughout the production process. The applicable scenarios are described below.

Scenario 1: Compensation can be traced across all production stages

If there is a clear and auditable method allowing both the system user and auditor to follow and calculate the compensation from the first production stage through to the final production stage, then the compensation shall be calculated and considered across the entire production chain.

Scenario 2: Compensation has been applied at earlier production stage(s) and cannot be traced across entire production stage(s).

If there is no clear and verifiable method to carry forward compensation through all production stages, only the compensation applied at the final production stage should be calculated and declared.

If compensation was applied at an earlier production stage but no compensation is applied at subsequent stages and the compensation information cannot be carried forward, the outgoing Sustainability Declaration should indicate ‘Compensation of input characteristics has been applied upstream for received certified input material(s)’.

If the compensation has been applied at only the final production stage, the extent of input compensation shall be calculated and declared in the outgoing sustainability declaration.

This ensures transparency regarding compensation that occurred earlier in the supply chain.