CR: It’s now 25 years of the ECA, and you’ve been working there for a good portion of its existence. How have you seen the Association evolve?
CE: Indeed, we will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the European Cocoa Association this year at our Forum in Malta (16-18 September).
Since its creation, the ECA has grown significantly: what began as an initiative of the Dutch Cocoa Association has now become a fully-fledged organisation. Although our mandate has evolved, our mission remains to proactively inform our members about EU regulatory changes affecting their business operations and to defend their interests vis-à-vis EU institutions and other stakeholders.
The other specificity of the ECA is that we represent a significant portion of the supply chain, as we group the major companies involved in the cocoa bean trade and processing, as well as warehousing and related logistical activities in Europe.
Together, ECA members represent 90% of EU cocoa beans grinding, 85% of Europe's industrial chocolate production and well over 85% of the world production of cocoa liquor, butter and powder.
During my tenure as Director General, the membership has increased from a total of 33 companies to 58 now. This growth continues, with several companies expressing interest in joining us. Over the years, we have also gradually developed our internal capacity, influence towards the EU and international institutions, as well as our cooperation with other cocoa-related organisations and Brussels embassies of producing countries.
Thanks to this wide network, we are able to join forces and together provide constructive solutions to complex EU legislation.
If the ECA is seen today as a trustworthy organisation, it is mainly thanks to the strength of its Board of Directors, composed mainly of CEOs and senior executives, and the unprecedented support we receive from all ECA experts who are very active in our working groups. The contributions of the ECA Board of Directors and members are essential for a thriving ECA.
Nowhere is this more evident than in the ECA Forum, where most Board members will moderate the various business sessions.
CR: And in parallel, how much has the EU regulatory framework for cocoa changed over the years? What were some of the main challenges that you found yourself covering on behalf of ECA Members?
CE: The EU regulatory framework is constantly evolving, and the cocoa sector is becoming increasingly regulated. Traditionally, food safety and quality has been a main area of work for the ECA and one that continues to be of fundamental importance.
However, since the last edition of the ECA Forum in 2022, the adoption of numerous ambitious pieces of legislation has had a significant impact on the trade of cocoa and semi-finished cocoa products: Regulation on Deforestation-free products (EUDR), Directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence (CSDDD), Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), heavy metals (cadmium and nickel, for example), mineral oils, new maximum limits for pesticide residues, food waste, and new EU trade agreements, to name but a few.
As a bridge between our members and European institutions, we have played a very active role in assessing the impact of this legislation and in engaging in dialogue with EU officials to present and defend our positions.
Anthony Myers
CR: With approximately three months to go, EUDR is on everyone’s mind at the moment. How has ECA been preparing for this landmark Regulation?
CE: The EUDR has been a key focus of our work since it was proposed in 2021. Since its entry into force in mid-2023, the ECA Board and the wider membership have ramped up their efforts towards compliance. Through the creation of a taskforce led by former ECA President Harold Poelma, the ECA has developed a protocol on EUDR due diligence.
The aim of this protocol is to move towards a uniform implementation of the law by our members and to put forward the cocoa sector’s pragmatic approach to this complex piece of legislation. This protocol has been shared with the European Commission, EU national Competent Authorities and exporters in several producing countries, where workshops have been organised in collaboration with the World Bank.
Now the date of application is just over 100 days ahead, and we are keeping in close contact with the European Commission and Member State Competent Authorities to clarify those areas where further certainty is needed. This includes for example the legality scope, which we believe should be directly aligned with the objectives of the EUDR, i.e. countering deforestation and forest degradation and fostering biodiversity.
We also continue to work together with chocolate brands as our members’ customers, to ensure that their expectations are aligned with our members’ processes.
CR: What are some of the issues that don’t get much media attention but are equally crucial for the European cocoa industry and that ECA is active on?
CE: As one pillar of the ECA mission is to proactively support cocoa research efforts, ECA is also managing the Joint Cocoa Research Fund (JRF), which was created in 2013 together with CAOBISCO (the Association of the European Chocolate, Biscuit and Confectionery Industry).
As a pre-competitive industry platform, the Fund’s main objective is to support applied research to develop solutions for some of the most pressing challenges relating to food safety, pest and disease management, and resilient cropping systems.
Thanks to 14 funding members from the cocoa and chocolate industry, we have been able to support innovative research in multiple cocoa-producing regions and on a range of topical issues for the sector. Currently, we have projects on enhanced pollination, vascular streak dieback resistance, and mitigation of aluminum contamination, while in the most recent past we funded research into CSSV and agroforestry.
We have also collaborated with ICCO (International Cocoa Organisation) and other industry partners to develop important knowledge products, such as the Pesticide Use in Cocoa Manual and the Cocoa Bean Quality Requirements Guide (available in English, Spanish and French).
There will be a specific session on the JRF at the ECA Forum on 18 September, where some of our members will be able to illustrate in more detail what industry collaboration can do for the challenges that the sector is facing.
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