As part of the process of bringing Ivorian cocoa into compliance with the ISO 34101 standard, Côte d'Ivoire is under pressure from the European Union.

According to the Ivorian expert, Dr. Douka Christophe Auguste, Côte d'Ivoire must be able to bring its cocoa production into compliance with the ISO 34101 standard by the 2023/2024 campaign. Since 2014, the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) has worked, in collaboration with the producing country, cocoa multinationals, chocolate makers and producers in different countries to develop a global standard in the cocoa sector. This will be essential in the marketing of cocoa. We need to get involved in the process. Because, otherwise, our cocoa origin in Côte d'Ivoire risks not being accepted on the world market.”

Indeed, the European Committee for Standardization, in partnership with ISO, i.e. the International Organization for Standardization, was able to establish a standard specific to world cocoa: The ISO 34101. Today, this ISO 34101 Standard is binding on the entire global cocoa sector, in particular on producer countries, including Côte d'Ivoire, through their professional agricultural organizations involved in cocoa farming. The ISO 34101 series includes international standards and technical specifications.