Inclusive by design? Rethinking sustainability standards and certification schemes for smallholders

The transition to more sustainable models requires the active participation of all stakeholders in value chains. Although large producers tend to bear the majority of environmental, economic and social burdens, small producers also play a vital role in promoting sustainability and circularity. However, their ability to adapt and adopt technological innovations is often limited by narrower profit margins. Therefore, sustainability requirements must be applied flexibly and proportionately to small producers, without underestimating any criteria, while encouraging compliance wherever possible. Currently, most standards and certification schemes do not differentiate between actors in the value chain, focusing mainly on large producers. In this context, this manuscript aims to identify and propose a set of requirements tailored to small producers, using an integrated approach encompassing environmental, economic, social and circular sustainability. Various key certification schemes were used as the basis for defining evaluation indicators. The manuscript also introduces a scoring methodology that combines three complementary evaluation methods: (i) evaluation of the quality of certification schemes, (ii) evaluation of the minimum requirements applicable to small producers and (iii) evaluation of the suitability and practical applicability of the indicators. Thus, this manuscript aims to facilitate the meaningful integration of small producers into sustainable and circular development trajectories. • Proposal of a tailored set of sustainability and circularity requirements specifically designed for smallholders. • Inclusion of smallholders in sustainable transitions through practical and context-sensitive approaches. • Development of an integrated framework that balances environmental, social, and economic dimensions for smallholders. • Critical analysis of current certification schemes and their limitations in addressing value chain heterogeneity. • Promotion of more equitable value chains through the integration of flexibility into sustainability assessments.