What is the Round Table on Responsible Soy Association?
Founded in 2006 in Zürich, Switzerland, the RTRS – Round Table on Responsible Soy Association – is a non-profit organisation promoting the growth of production, trade, and use of responsible soy. It works through cooperation with those in, and related to, the soy value chain, from production to consumption. It does this through:
A global platform for multi-stakeholder dialogue on responsible soy.
The development, implementation and verification of a global certification standard.
Promotion of responsible soy production
Mission
RTRS’ mission is to promote the growth on production, trade, and use of responsible soy through cooperation with actors in and relevant to the soy value chain from production to consumption in an open dialogue with stakeholders
including producers, suppliers, manufacturers, retailers, financial institutions, civil society organizations and other relevant actors.
Objectives
RTRS will facilitate a global dialogue on responsible soy:
As an international forum to discuss and develop solutions, aiming to reach consensus on the key economic, social and environmental impacts of soy among the various stakeholders.
By communicating issues regarding responsible soy production, processing, trading and use in commercial products, and consumption to a wide range of global stakeholders.
By developing and promoting definitions for responsible soy production, processing, trading and consumption.
By monitoring the status of production, processing, trading and consumption of responsible soy with criteria that address economic, social and environmental issues embodied in RTRS Standards through its Principles, Criteria, Indicators and Verification & Accreditation System.
By mobilising participants to the multi-stakeholder process.
By organising round table conferences and technical workshops.
RTRS members include the main representatives of the soy value chain and civil society from around the world.
Being a RTRS producer is a demonstration of competitiveness in the context of a global market, reputation in the agroindustry sector and a synonym for sustainability.
RTRS is a legal entity under the Swiss law, incorporated as established by the Swiss Civil Code
Our history
2004
Responsible soy Global Forum
First Discussion Forum
on Responsible Soybean.
2004
Responsible soy Global Forum
First Discussion Forum
on Responsible Soy bean.
2006
2006
The Soy Moratorium: agreement between the civil society, the industry and the Brazilian Government to avoid agricultural expansion in the Amazon rainforest for soybean planting.
The was founded by Amaggi, Solidaridad, COOP, WWF, Fetrauf-Sul and Unilever.
Zürich, Switzerland
The Soy Moratorium: agreement between the civil society, the industry and the Brazilian Government to avoid agricultural expansion in the Amazon rainforest for soybean planting.
The was founded by Amaggi, Cordaid, COOP, WWF, Fetrauf-Sul and Unilever.
Zürich, Switzerland
2009
Field testing RTRS
production principles
and criteria.
2009
Field testing RTRS production principles and criteria.
2010
2010
Approval of the RTRS Standard for Responsible Soy Production V1.0.
Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and India National Interpretation.
RTRS subscribes to ISEAL Insight with the objective of strengthening the credibility and transparency of its management.
Approval of the RTRS Standard for Responsible Soy Production V1.0
Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay and India National Interpretation.
RTRS subscribes to ISEAL Alliance with the objective of strengthening the credibility and transparency of its management.
2011
2011
First certification in the world of soy produced in a responsible manner.
First certifications in Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay.
Trading of the first 85,000 tons.
Approval of the RTRS Chain of Custody Standard V2.1.
Approval of Module D for RTRS non GMO soy certification.
First certification in the world of soy produced in a responsible manner.
First certifications in Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay.
Trading of the first 85,000 tons.
Approval of the RTRS Chain of Custody Standard V2.1
Approval of Module D for RTRS non GMO soy certification
2012
2012
Double certification agreement between Feed Materials Assurance Scheme (FEMAS) and RTRS.
Cooperation Agreement between GMP + International and RTRS.
Double certification agreement between Feed Materials Assurance Scheme (FEMAS) and RTRS.
Cooperation Agreement between GMP + International and RTRS
2013
2013
Agreement between the RTRS and the Certified Agriculture protocol of AAPRESID.
Agreement between the RTRS and the Certified Agriculture protocol of AAPRESID.
2014
2014
First certifications in Canada and China.
National interpretation for USA and Bolivia.
First certifications in Canada and China.
National interpretation for USA and Bolivia.
2015
2015
RTRS Production Standard is recognised by FEFAC.
First Task Force in Europe.
First Task Force in Europe
RTRS Production Standard is recognised by FEFAC.
2016
2016
Approval of the RTRS Standard for Responsible Soy Production V3.0
Zero deforestation/ zero conversion.
Approval of the RTRS Standard for Responsible Soy Production V3.0
Zero deforestation/ zero conversion
2017
2017
Approval of the RTRS Standard for Responsible Soy Production V3.1.
New indicators on the use of Paraquat and the commitment of its prohibition as of January 2021.
Approval of the RTRS Standard for Responsible Soy Production V3.1
New indicators on the use of Paraquat and the commitment of its prohibition as of January 2021
2018
2018
New RTRS supply chain and production models. RTRS non-GMO credits, RTRS non-Paraquat credits, Country Material Balance and RTRS Regional Credits.
New RTRS supply chain and production models. RTRS non-GMO credits, RTRS non-Paraquat credits, Country Material Balance and RTRS Regional Credits.
2019
Beginning of the development of the new RTRS Standard for Responsible Corn Production
2020
Becomes an ISEAL Community Member.
Launches new RTRS Soy Conversion Factor System and Soy Footprint Calculator.
Launches “Beyond 2020” RTRS Strategy.
New visual identity: Round Table and certification scheme logos.
RTRS Standard for Responsible Soy Production is recognized as fully compliant with the FEFAC Soy Sourcing Guidelines 2021.
2021
Launches “Beyond 2020” RTRS Strategy.
New visual identity: Round Table and certification scheme logos.
RTRS Standard for Responsible Soy Production is recognized as fully compliant with the FEFAC Soy Sourcing Guidelines 2021.
RTRS Standard for Responsible Soy Production is recognized as fully compliant with the FEFAC Soy Sourcing Guidelines 2021.
Launch of the RTRS Standard for Responsible Soy Production V.4.0, and the RTRS Standard for Responsible Corn Production
First Task Force Argentina
New Corn Conversion Factors System and relaunch of the Soy & Corn Footprint Calculator
2022
First Task Force Argentina
New Corn Conversion Factors System and relaunch of the Soy & Corn Footprint Calculator
New National Interpretations for Argentina and Brazil V.4.0
First tons of RTRS certified corn
First Task Force Paraguay
New Paraguayan National Interpretation V4.0
2023
First Task Force Paraguay
New Paraguayan National Interpretation V4.0
RTRS Standard awarded the maximum equivalence level against SAI Platform’s Farm Sustainability Assessment (FSA)
