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Two of the world's leading sustainability certification bodies, Rainforest Alliance and UTZ, plan to merge later this year in an effort to simplify the certification process for sustainable agriculture. Under the name Rainforest Alliance, the organization create a single global certification standard by 2019 that will streamline certification for farmers and empower companies to build more responsible supply chains, more efficiently.

Palm Oil Free Certification programme launches in UK and Australia A new certification programme has launched to validate consumer products that make no use of palm oil, which has been blamed for fuelling deforestation in Asia. Set up by a group of women experts, the Palm Oil Free Certification Accreditation Programme (POFCAP) is now in operation in Australia and the UK following approval from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, IP Australia, and IPO UK. Fourteen other nations have applied to introduce the label. Australia-based eco cleaning products company Clean Conscience is the first to carry the label, and the group is working with a host of other companies on certification. Despite improvements to tackle deforestation, POFCAP said "only 17% of all palm oil used can be classed as 'non-conflict'". The scheme is based on extensive research and trusted methods to trace all potential palm oil and palm oil derivative ingredients of a product back to their source. (Business Green)

news broke of a pending decision by the RSPO Complaints Panel to lift the suspension of IOI Group's certification under the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil certification system. If successful this move would do irreparable harm to the RSPO's credibility. Less than five months after the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) suspended Malaysian palm oil producer IOI Group's certification, that suspension has been lifted - much to the dismay of NGO campaigners. While the RSPO's Complaints Panel has said it is "satisfied that IOI has met the conditions set out in its letter to IOI," Greenpeace Indonesia and the Center for International Policy says they have yet to see any real action on the ground. This was the second time a suspension has been placed on an IOI subsidiary. A coalition of NGOs has rapidly issued an appeal, urging the RSPO to maintain its suspension of IOI Group stating that it is far too premature to lift the suspension given that the company has not come into full compliance with the RSPO Certification Systems nor resolved outstanding complaints. There are fears that any change at this stage would seriously hinder the resolution process between the complainant and the company.

Microsoft's zero waste efforts have earned it the US Zero Waste Business Council's highest certification level at its Redmond, Washington campus, making Microsoft the first technology company to achieve zero waste facility certification.

The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil has removed IOI Group's sustainable-certification suspension, noting it was "satisfied that IOI has met the conditions" required of the trader.

The environmental and social benefits of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification are proven, as the organisation works to ensure sustainable use of forest products. But a recent WWF study has found that there is also a concrete economic benefit. The bottom line? On average, forestry companies can earn an extra US$1.80 for every cubic metre of FSC-certified timber.

Microsoft has achieved the U.S. Zero Waste Business Council's Gold Level of Zero Waste Certification for its Redmond corporate campus by diverting at least 90% of onsite waste from landfills. Microsoft is the first technology company in the country to achieve this certification.

Serious labour rights violations have taken place at Brazilian farms linked to some of the largest international coffee certification systems, including Rainforest Alliance and UTZ, according to an investigation by Repórter Brasil. Brazil is the largest coffee producer in the world, with about one-third of all coffee consumed planted in the country. These violations include workers' pay packets being falsely docked resulting in some receiving less than half Brazil's minimum wage, and workers being hired informally and without mandatory medical tests. One farm even promoted its output with a Fairtrade certificate it was not entitled to use.

The Wildlife Habitat Council launched a new certification website that enables its members to add projects, upload documentation, submit applications, and more. CEF members that have been recognized by the Wildlife Habitat Council for achievements in land conservation include BASF, Boeing, CH2M, Chevron, Dow Chemical, Fidelity Investments, General Motors, Lockheed Martin, and Waste Management. 

Fashion designers have long asked for a place to find materials they know are healthier for people and the planet - and now they have one. The new Fashion Positive Materials Collection includes 39 materials for fashion applications that are Cradle to Cradle Certified or have received a Material Health Certificate, which at higher levels of certification ensures safe materials suitable for circular design. READ MORE

The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil has suspended its certification for Malaysian palm oil producer IOI Group amid concerns that the company has failed to live up to its obligation to tackle deforestation. The decision has already had a big impact on IOI, which has lost business with Unilever, Kellogg and Mars. "If IOI wishes to regain its customers, it must take immediate and significant action," says Greenpeace Indonesia campaigner Annisa Rahmawati.

IKEA recently got a slap on the wrist from the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), which suspended IKEA's certification after discovering that the Swedish furniture giant's subsidiary, Swedwood, has been cutting 600-year-old trees in Karelia, Russia, near the border of Finland

Green cleaning products are no longer a niche interest, with many consumers willing to pay a little extra to pick up chemical-free or otherwise eco-friendly cleaning products, writes Stephen Ashkin. That shift is partly due to the rise of eco-labels and certification programs, which helped cleaning companies slice through the complexities of green chemistry. "With the advent of certification, standards and ecolabels, buyers have been given more tools to choose appropriate products," Ashkin explains.

The Grand Central Creative Campus (GC3) Phase 2 received a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification-the council's highest honor. This award marks the first Platinum building in the Disney portfolio. The King's Mountain Technology Center, a Disney property in North Carolina, also received a LEED Silver certification.

The Green Parking Council (GPC), an affiliate of the International Parking Institute (IPI), has launched the Green Garage Certification program. The program is the parking industry equivalent of the US Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) certification, and recognizes and inspires high standards in sustainable parking facility design, technology, operations and management.

After getting two stores LEED-certified since 2008, they used the experience to create their own certification program for franchisees. Dunkin is rolling out the program for new construction, with a goal of building 100 certified restaurants by the end of 2016. And they also want to extend the program to retrofits at some point.

Today, the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) launched LEED Proven Provider, a new designation that streamlines the LEED project review process for experienced organizations that demonstrate consistent excellence in administering LEED projects. "LEED Proven Provider makes the LEED review process faster and more seamless," said Doug Gatlin, vice president of program delivery, U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and GBCI. "It allows GBCI to deliver faster reviews of LEED projects while still maintaining the integrity of the LEED certification process."

Ecolab announced that its manufacturing plant in Taicang, China became the first site in the world to be independently certified under the Alliance for Water Stewardship's (AWS) global standard for water stewardship. The AWS Standard was developed to promote sustainable freshwater use and to evaluate water stewardship practices.

The new Center for Sustainable Shale Development recognizes companies that go beyond regulatory minimums to protect communities and the environment.

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. is the first to receive the US Zero Waste Business Council's platinum certification - the highest possible rating - for successfully diverting 99.8 percent of its waste.

Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. is the first to receive the US Zero Waste Business Council's platinum certification - the highest possible rating - for successfully diverting 99.8 percent of its waste.