The International Coffee Organization (ICO) is an intergovernmental organization established in 1963 devoted to enhancing the coffee trade worldwide. Recently, the organization has achieved a momentous agreement that will benefit the industry and ultimately the consumers.
The ICO has made a pact with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) that will lead to a new standard for coffee beans’ classification and quality evaluation. The collaboration will result in the development of an international standard for green and roasted coffee that reflects the industry`s current practices.
The ICO has outlined the significance of the agreement, stating that the new ISO standard will help meet the needs of the entire coffee value chain, from producers and traders to roasters and consumers. The standard will provide a common language and terminology for coffee quality, making it easier for all parties involved in the industry to communicate. It will also facilitate coffee trade by reducing the risk of disputes related to coffee quality.
The ISO/ICO project will establish a new technical committee that will oversee the development of the standard. The committee will consist of experts from the coffee industry, including producers, traders, roasters, and researchers. The committee will develop a set of parameters for coffee quality evaluation, including flavor, aroma, and visual appearance.
The new standard will also incorporate a set of guidelines for coffee labeling and packaging. It will provide a standardized method for coffee quality evaluation that can be used worldwide, making it easier for coffee manufacturers to enter new markets, increase production efficiency, and enhance the quality of their products.
Overall, the ICO`s agreement with the ISO is a significant milestone for the coffee industry. The new standard will benefit all stakeholders in the industry, from coffee farmers to consumers, by providing a consistent, transparent, and reliable system for coffee quality evaluation. The ISO/ICO initiative will ensure that the coffee industry continues to grow and prosper in the years to come.
