Verified VCO Process
The Coconut Alliance Verified Supplier Program is the definitive framework for quality assurance in the coconut industry. By establishing rigorous scientific parameters, we provide our members with a roadmap to excellence. Participation in this program allows organizations to earn the Coconut Alliance Verified Mark—a powerful symbol that communicates supply chain integrity, consumer safety, and uncompromised quality to the global market.
Vision & Scope
While our immediate focus is on Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO), the Coconut Alliance is committed to a broader mission. We are actively developing a comprehensive suite of quality standards, advanced testing methodologies, and operational procedures that will eventually encompass every category of coconut product available.
Core Program Elements
To maintain the highest level of industry trust, the Coconut Alliance has established the following requirements for participation:
- A Standard for Membership: For all VCO Supplier Members, active participation in the Verified Supplier Program is a mandatory condition of membership within the Coconut Alliance.
- Total Supply Chain Validation: We encourage brands and non-VCO supplier members to verify their integrity at every stage. Members can submit their own samples for verification or collaborate with their partners to ensure their supply source meets our benchmarks. Once a sample is validated, both the supplier and the brand are recognized as Coconut Alliance Verified.
- Securing Your Claims: Any member organization that handles VCO—whether as a raw input, an in-process component, or a finished output—must successfully complete this program to officially use the Coconut Alliance Verified designation.
- Independent Administration: To ensure total objectivity and scientific rigor, the Industry Transparency Center (ITC)serves as the third-party administrator for the Coconut Alliance Verified Supplier Program.
A Note on Compliance
The Coconut Alliance is dedicated to fostering growth and improvement. While we hold our members to strict standards, we do not publicly disclose or publish the names of brands or products that fail to meet testing parameters, focusing instead on private consultation to help partners achieve compliance.
Program Elements
The ultimate goal of this program is to establish multiple quality standards, including testing and procedures for all kinds of coconut products
For VCO Supplier Members – this Program is a condition of membership in CCA
Non-VCO supplier members with products along the supply chain can send supplier samples to be ‘verified’, or work with their suppliers to have samples provided; should they do so, the supplier is considered CCA verified as is the brand. Whomever submits the sample will be invoiced as noted below
This program is required for members who deal with VCO as an input, in-process, or output in order to claim CCA verified
Industry Transparency Center (ITC) will administer the CCA-SVP for CCA
In Phase 1 of this program, the verification will cover the testing of VCO products for identity and adulteration
1st year requirements – members are to provide 3 different samples (lots) of VCO for testing to ITC. It is preferred that the 3 lots be received simultaneously. However if this is not feasible, then all lots should be received by ITC within a 3 month period.
Verification is complete only after 3 lots are tested. Otherwise the testing is considered in-process
A continuing yearly test of 1 lot will be required for ongoing Verification and membership in CCA.
ITC will have these samples tested using the USP method for ID and the CCA method for adulteration
Test Conformance meets condition of membership and also allows member to obtain Verified Supplier status, brand /user of CA verified suppler terminology to be determined – ‘sourced from CA verified supplier’ for that product.
Testing program cost and structure
The cost of the testing program is $1,800 for the initial 3 lot test and $900 for the ongoing yearly test of 1 lot. ITC will invoice the member/supplier at the time of submission of the samples. Testing will begin after the member pays ITC.
Coconut Alliance will publish the names of Verified Suppliers
CCA will publish guidelines for usage of the Verified Supplier Mark. Supplier can promote this certificate as can prands per above.
Verification Process
Member to submit sample(s) to CA C/O Industry Transparency Center
Submission to include supplier name, lot number, date of manufacture/expiry, on the CCA form developed for this purpose. Member will notify CCA by email that samples are in process, including in BOL number.
ITC (Industry Transparency Center) will log receipt of samples
Taking an image of the product package, and initiate submission process with primary lab including as appropriate online forms, direct engagement, or both.
ITC will prepare a packing list for the primary lab and ship samples, noting date and BOL number in the log and will ship samples by courier. ITC will send the lots to the Primary Testing Lab (Alkemist Labs, 12661 Hoover St., Garden Grove, CA, 92841) for testing.
ITC will log results as received
Member to be notified of log and test results upon receiving.
Passed testing for ID and Adulteration
After 3 lots are tested for ID and adulteration and passed, a certificate will be issued by CCA to the supplier – supplier can promote this certificate, use the CCA verified logo, abiding by CCA guidelines. For brands that use multiple suppliers, in order to claim we ‘source from CCA verified suppliers’, all suppliers must be CCA verified. Brands can also declare this on a product specific basis providing that VCO for that product is sourced from a CCA verified brand.
No duplicate testing necessary
If a supplier is verified upstream, a brand can refer to their suppliers’ verification.
Member Identification and Marketing
The member will be identified as ‘verified supplier’ on the CCA website and can use on their marketing materials subject to CCA use policies (TBD by the Communications Committee).