In June 2018, JCCU adopted Co-op Action Plan for SDGs which summarizes efforts to realize Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Ethical consumption is one of the important means for realizing the goals of the SDGs. In FY 2018 up to January 2019, the cumulative total of ethical consumption products by JCCU increased by 119% from the previous year and in this FY 2019 the target is set to 105% compared to FY 2018. JCCU on March 1 released four new Ethical Consumption Co-op Brand Products as part of the efforts to realize the goals.

1．Rainforest Alliance certified products:

(L) “CO•OP cacao 70% chocolate cookie” / (R) “CO•OP cacao 70% rum and raisin chocolate”

JCCU first launched "CO·OP fair trade Ceylon tea" which uses 100% of tea leaves certified by Rainforest Alliance in 2014 and has since been actively developing and releasing new products using the same certified materials. JCCU also aims at switching existing products to certified raw materials.

The "CO·OP cacao 70% chocolate cookie" and "CO·OP cacao 70% rum and raisin chocolate" released this time uses Rainforest Alliance certified cacao beans from Cote d'Ivoire.

Rainforest Alliance official website: https://www.rainforest-alliance.org/

2．RSPO certified products:

(L) “CO· OP vegetable facial soap White” / (R) “CO· OP cleansing foam”

JCCU joined the RSPO (Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil) in October 2017 as an initiative towards the procurement of sustainable raw material towards the reduction of environmental impact.

In recognition of the accession to the RSPO, in FY 2017, JCCU switched to B&C (Book and Claims) certified palm oil for all food items of CO・OP Brand Product.

“CO·OP vegetable facial soap White” and “CO·OP cleansing foam” are the first CO・OP Brand Products to use MB (Mass Balance) certified palm oil. Refills are also released at the same time.

Furthermore, JCCU will proceed to switch to B & C or MB (Mass Balance) certified palm oil for the entire CO・OP Brand Products by 2020.

To learn about definition of B & C or MB, check the RSPO website: https://rspo.org/certification/supply-chains

The 4 new release items are on sale at co-op stores and home delivery outlets.

Number of Ethical consumption Co-op Brand Products (As of January 2019)