Joining us

 

Why you should join ECA

Intelligence

Networking

A strong and credible industry voice

A protective shield

Development Policy: the sustainability of the supply chain

Consensus and Coalition Building

With so many business interests actively engaged in EU affairs in Brussels, it is challenging for companies to have a strong share of voice. The EU authorities engage very closely with ECA, which is a credible and well- recognised trade association. ECA has a proven track record of providing timely, reliable and scientifically-sound information to the EU. By doing the necessary groundwork, we aim to understand our Members’ requests and needs, and we seek alignment to present one strong industry voice. We are consulted by the EU Authorities on a regular basis on subjects of paramount concern to the EU cocoa industry, including Food Safety, Trade, Sustainability, Quality & Productivity, Environment and Logistics.

Moreover, the cocoa voice stands to be heard better if we join forces with other structures. Thus, over the years, we have built strong strategic alliances with other actors in the cocoa supply chain, including Caobisco, the Federation of Cocoa Commerce (FCC), the International Cocoa Initiative (ICI), the International Cocoa Organisation (ICCO), the World Cocoa Foundation (WCF) – and beyond cocoa, with the Primary Food Processors’ Platform (PFP). In addition, ECA is an active member of the ICCO Consultative Board and enjoys Observer Status in the Codex Alimentarius Commission of the FAO.

A bridge between the ECA members and the EU authorities

The EU is the largest importer of cocoa from the world’s top producing countries. We act as an intermediary between our members and the EU institutions, as well as national authorities of producing and consuming countries, when issues of key concern for the cocoa sector are under discussion at production, trade or consumption levels.

The ECA Toolbox

ECA Grind Statistics

ECA Trade MasterTable

EU Regulatory Update

Joint Residue Library

Fact sheets and updates

The Joint Research Fund

Together with CAOBISCO, ECA has set up and manages the Joint Research Fund for Industry-led research projects. Companies join the Fund at a modest cost and can then collectively decide on which projects should be supported.