The International Coconut Community (ICC) officially endorsed the Non-Standard (NS) Coconut Sorting Manual during the 61st ICC Session and Ministerial Meeting held on 20 November 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand. This milestone marks a major advancement in promoting sustainability, traceability, and quality assurance within the global coconut sector.
The Manual was developed through close collaboration among the ICC, the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) of Indonesia, Green Power Development (GPD) of Japan, and the Indonesia Japan Business Network (IJBNet). Prior to its submission to the Session, the draft underwent extensive review and technical discussions among ICC experts and members of the ICC Technical Working Group (TWG) to ensure its scientific robustness, practicality, and alignment with global sustainability requirements.
The NS Coconut Sorting Manual provides a standardized and science-based approach for identifying and sorting non-standard coconuts—those that are too small, sprouted, cracked, or rotten. These coconuts qualify as eligible feedstock under the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) CORSIA Sustainable Certification Scheme (SCS) for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
In her address to the Session, ICC Director General Dr. Jelfina C. Alouw emphasized the importance of the manual in guiding member countries toward harmonized sorting practices that uphold food priority while supporting emerging renewable energy pathways. She noted: “This manual strengthens supply chain integrity, ensures responsible sourcing, and positions the coconut sector as a credible contributor to global climate solutions.”
Delegates from ICC’s 21 member countries reviewed and unanimously endorsed the Manual following detailed presentations and discussions. Their support reflects a strong collective commitment to elevating industry standards, ensuring transparent sourcing practices, and unlocking new value-adding opportunities for coconut by-products.
The Manual includes clear sorting criteria, ergonomic and safety guidelines, quality assurance mechanisms, and traceability requirements applicable across all points of origin—from farmers and collectors to suppliers and processors. It ensures that only genuine, unintended non-standard coconuts are channelled for SAF production, thereby safeguarding food supply while supporting sustainability goals.
The endorsed Manual is now available and can be accessed through the following link: https://coconutcommunity.org/page-publication/222/12
The manual serves as a key reference for member countries keen on using Non-Standard Coconuts to secure a certified, non-food-competing SAF feedstock supply chain. The endorsement of the NS Coconut Sorting Manual stands as one of the key outcomes of the 61st ICC Session, reaffirming ICC’s leadership in driving sustainability, innovation, and cooperation across the global coconut community.