ISO 34101-1:2019 Cocoa Sustainability Management Systems Foundation Level Training and Certification Program

Programme Summary

Build an understanding of cocoa sustainability management using ISO 34101-1:2019. Participants connect producer governance, cocoa traceability and sustainability improvement planning with responsibilities and performance measures. Exercises based on a cocoa producer cooperative case develop requirement interpretation, evidence selection and gap recognition. The programme establishes a foundation for credible control of cocoa production and post harvest activities and further implementation or auditor development.

Training Objectives

1 Explain cocoa sustainability management requirements; 2 Connect requirements with operational responsibilities; 3 Recognise untraceable cocoa movements; 4 Select relevant implementation evidence; 5 Prepare for further practical development.

Learning Outcomes

1 Define producer organisation boundaries; 2 Connect farm records with traceability; 3 Distinguish management from performance requirements; 4 Identify unsupported sustainability claims; 5 Plan measurable producer improvement priorities.

Target Audience

Cocoa Cooperative Managers; Cocoa Sustainability Managers; Agricultural Extension Managers; Cocoa Traceability Coordinators; Management System Coordinators.

Target Industries

Cocoa Farming; Cocoa Producer Cooperatives; Cocoa Post Harvest Processing; Cocoa Collection Operations; Cocoa Sustainability Programmes.

Course Contents

• Module 1 Standard Purpose and Practical Application: Management system purpose and intended outcomes; Requirement guidance and evidence distinctions; Course case scope and learning responsibilities.
• Module 2 Cocoa Production Scope and Standard Interfaces: Producer organisation and post harvest boundaries; Management performance and traceability standard interfaces; Sustainability claims and supporting requirement sets.
• Module 3 Producer Context and Sustainability Priorities: Producer needs and relevant interested parties; Economic social and environmental challenges; Risks obligations and climate relevance.
• Module 4 Producer Governance and Accountable Leadership: Sustainability policy and organisational responsibilities; Producer participation and communication arrangements; Resources competence and documented information.
• Module 5 Producer Registration and Farm Information: Producer identification and reliable farm records; Baseline information and data quality checks; Confidentiality access and controlled record updates.
• Module 6 Cocoa Sustainability Planning: Producer development priorities and realistic objectives; Action plans resources and measurable progress; Interfaces with applicable performance requirements.
• Module 7 Production and Post Harvest Controls: Field activity and operational control planning; Fermentation drying storage and transport interfaces; Supplier service and process change coordination.
• Module 8 Cocoa Traceability and Claim Controls: Bean identification and movement records; Internal traceability and reconciliation checks; Claim limitations and downstream traceability interfaces.
• Module 9 Monitoring Producer Progress and Improvement: Performance monitoring and producer feedback; Internal audit and management review; Corrective action and sustainability improvement records.
• Module 10 Interpreting Requirements in Context: Mandatory requirements and proportionate application; Interfaces with applicable legal obligations; Supported judgements and unresolved interpretation issues.
• Module 11 Selecting Relevant Management System Evidence: Producer and farm records; Cocoa movement and traceability records; Producer development and monitoring records.
• Module 12 Foundation Application Workshop: Map responsibilities within the supplied case; Match controls to relevant requirements; Explain gaps and practical next steps.

Assessment

• 60 single best answer questions, including applied scenarios; one mark per question.
• 90 minute invigilated digital examination with identity verification. Approved accessibility adjustments preserve the assessed competence.
• Clean standard text and supplied case documents permitted; internet, messaging and external AI tools prohibited.
• Individual applied assessment (45 minutes): Using a supplied cocoa producer cooperative case, produce a producer process map and improvement priorities, link three controls to relevant requirements and explain one unresolved weakness.
• Assessment criteria: Accurate interpretation of cocoa sustainability management requirements; Relevant use of producer and farm records; Clear connection between controls responsibilities and identified gaps.
• Pass each component separately: 45/60 written marks (75%) and at least 70% on the applied task.
• All mandatory criteria must pass: Do not fabricate evidence or knowingly present unsupported conformity conclusions.
• Individual results and feedback are provided. One reassessment may follow coaching under the published enrolment terms.

Certification

• Successful learners receive a TQCSI Arabia digital Certificate of Successful Completion.
• The certificate records the learner name, exact programme title, teaching hours, completion date and unique verification reference.
• Verified identity, full attendance and separate written and applied passes are required; all mandatory critical criteria must be met.
• Proposed issue target: within 30 calendar days of approved results and settlement of applicable fees.
• Records assessed foundation knowledge of cocoa sustainability management; it does not establish professional auditor status, independent personnel certification or organisational certification.
• Attendance confirmation may record completed hours for unsuccessful learners; it does not certify successful completion.

Programme Profile

Number of daysNumber of daysNumber of days

333

Total teaching hoursTotal teaching hoursTotal teaching hours

18 hours; breaks, pre course work and formal final assessments excluded.18 hours; breaks, pre course work and formal final assessments excluded.18 hours; breaks, pre course work and formal final assessments excluded.

Delegates allowedDelegates allowedDelegates allowed

Maximum 20 delegates.Maximum 20 delegates.Maximum 20 delegates.

Training prerequisitesTraining prerequisitesTraining prerequisites

No formal qualification required. Familiarity with cocoa sustainability management activities and everyday business processes is recommended.No formal qualification required. Familiarity with cocoa sustainability management activities and everyday business processes is recommended.No formal qualification required. Familiarity with cocoa sustainability management activities and everyday business processes is recommended.

Pre course assignment and assessmentPre course assignment and assessmentPre course assignment and assessment

Complete a 20-minute diagnostic and identify how producer and farm records support a supplied operational case.Complete a 20-minute diagnostic and identify how producer and farm records support a supplied operational case.Complete a 20-minute diagnostic and identify how producer and farm records support a supplied operational case.

End of course assessmentEnd of course assessmentEnd of course assessment

60 question written exam (90 minutes) and individual applied task (45 minutes).60 question written exam (90 minutes) and individual applied task (45 minutes).60 question written exam (90 minutes) and individual applied task (45 minutes).

Passing criteriaPassing criteriaPassing criteria

75% written and 70% applied, passed separately; full attendance. All mandatory criteria must pass.75% written and 70% applied, passed separately; full attendance. All mandatory criteria must pass.75% written and 70% applied, passed separately; full attendance. All mandatory criteria must pass.