The Core Criteria for CLMRS define the minimum standards for system design and implementation, including key metrics, required activities, and essential definitions.
They provide the operational definition of a CLMRS and can serve as a benchmarking tool to design, assess, and strengthen CLMRS performance.
Following their publication in September 2025, those responsible for implementing CLMRS will need to begin adhering to the criteria for their new CLMRS implementation cycle (the 2025–2026 cocoa season or the 2026 calendar year and beyond). Auditors reviewing CLMRS implementation prior to a full implementation cycle following the publication of the criteria cannot expect the systems they are assessing to be fully compliant with guidelines that were not available at the time of implementation.
Additional resources
For guidance on implementing an effective CLMRS, please refer to the CLMRS manual.
