In September 2001 the global chocolate and cocoa industry representatives signed an agreement, developed in partnership with US Senator Harkin and Representative Engel, to eliminate the worst forms of child labour and forced labour in the growing of cocoa beans and products made with cocoa from West Africa.

The Protocol has led to the development of a ‘Certification’ process in the cocoa farming sector and the establishment an independent foundation, the International Cocoa Initiative focused on cocoa farming labour practices.

In 2008 Senator Harkin and Representative Engel sent a letter to the industry sharing their assessment of progress to date. Click here to view the PDF.