SCA
COFFEE STANDARDS
SCA Coffee Standards create a shared framework for quality, consistency, and best practices across the coffee industry. They help professionals, businesses, and educators follow clear technical, professional, and sustainability guidelines while building a common industry language.
A Standard is a documented set of guidelines or requirements used across an industry to create consistency, quality, and shared best practices. Standards help businesses, professionals, educators, and technicians follow common processes, use shared terminology, and maintain reliable outcomes across products, services, and operations.
Why standards matter in coffee
In the coffee industry, standards can apply to:
Equipment and brewing performance
Coffee evaluation and testing methods
Professional skills and competencies
Sustainability and operational practices
Shared terminology and definitions
They are designed to:
Support quality and consistency
Improve alignment across the industry
Provide clear technical guidance
Encourage innovation and transparency
Strengthen professional development across the coffee value chain.
Published standards
Coffee Value Assessment & Professional Competencies
Certification Standards
The following certification standards are available exclusively to SCA Members and required login access to view.
Standards in Development
The following standards are currently under review and development.
SCA-120: Coffee Processing; Green Coffee Identity Standards
SCA-130: Coffee Roasting; Roast Level Designations
SCA-352: Fully Automatic Espresso Machines; Specifications and Test Methods
SCA Standards are developed through a collaborative process involving technical experts, industry stakeholders, and the Standards Development Panel (SDP). The process is designed to ensure standards are practical, research-driven, transparent, and globally relevant.
How SCA Standards are developed
Development Process
A new standard or revision is proposed
1
The proposal is reviewed and approved by the SDP
2
3
Expert working groups draft the standard
4
Stakeholders review and provide feedback
Revisions are made based on community input
5
Final standards are approved and published
6
User-focused development
Industry collaboration and consensus
Research-based decision making
Transparency and inclusiveness
Innovation and continuous improvement
The development framework focuses on:
Throughout the program, you'll be encouraged to approach challenges with curiosity, transparency, and critical thinking. The assessments focus not only on technical expertise, but also on how you investigate problems, communicate ideas, and demonstrate leadership in
About the Standards Development Panel (SDP) members
The panel includes:
One representative from the SCA Board of Directors
Four voting members with expertise in:
• Farming and processing
• Trading (exporting and importing)
• Roasting
• Brewing
Voting Members
The panel also includes non- voting members who support the standards development process:
The SCA Technical Officer, who serves as the panel secretary
The Executive Director of the Coffee Science Foundation, who acts as a scientific advisor and observer
Non-Voting Members
Board: Yi-Ling Wu (Company Name)
Farming/Processing: Luiz Roberto Saldanha Rodrigues (Company Name)
Trading: Nzamurambaho Malliavin (Company Name)
Roasting: Crystal Glaspie (Company Name)
Brewing: Simon James (Company Name)
Current SDP Members
How you can participate
Propose a Standard
Community members can propose new standards through the SCA technical office or relevant guild leadership groups.
1
Join an Expert Group
Professionals interested in contributing to future standards can submit their CV and areas of expertise to the SCA technical office.
2
Review a Standard
Stakeholders directly impacted by standards in development may be invited to review drafts and provide feedback during the consultation process.
3
Publication
Approved standards undergo a final style review for compliance with the SCA Style Guide before publication.
4