UTRECHT, NETHERLANDS — After 20 years of development, Harmony, a wheat sustainability initiative launched by Mondelez International in France, is ready to scale across Europe as an independent certification scheme.

The initiative already has brought together 1,200 farmers across Europe. Now, it is evolving into an independent certification scheme, open to participants in the European wheat value chain, and governed by the ProTerra Foundation, a nonprofit organization specializing in sustainability certification systems.

The evolution reflects both the scheme’s maturity and growing expectations from consumers, customers, and regulators for transparent, independently verified sustainability systems, the foundation said. It also creates an opportunity to make a proven framework available to a wider range of actors across the European wheat value chain.

Harmony remains a core pillar of Mondelez International’s sustainability ambition and strategy. The company will continue to support innovation, pilot projects, and farmer engagement, while contributing to the scheme’s ongoing development as a member.

By transferring the ownership and opening Harmony to a broader community of actors, Mondelez International said it aims to help accelerate the adoption of proven agricultural practices and contribute to a more resilient European wheat value chain.

 Harmony’s evolution also aligns with the changing European regulatory framework for sustainability labels. As the EU Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition (ECGT) Directive applies from Sept. 27, 2026, introducing new requirements for independently governed and open sustainability labels, Harmony is evolving to meet these new expectations.

 “Harmony has demonstrated its value over nearly 20 years through tangible impact on the ground and strong collaboration across the wheat value chain,” said Guillaume Sauzay, MEU sustainable agriculture lead. “By evolving into an independent certification scheme, Harmony is now ready to scale its impact beyond Mondelez International and contribute more broadly to the transformation of European wheat production.”

 Built on a science-based charter co-developed with farmers, scientific experts, NGOs, the initiative covers approximately 57,000 hectares of wheat.

Harmony promotes agricultural practices that support soil health, biodiversity, crop diversification, and responsible input management, while helping farmers strengthen the resilience, long-term performance, and competitiveness of their operations.

As an independent certification scheme, Harmony is governed by the ProTerra Foundation and verified through third-party certification audits covering the entire value chain, from farm to finished product. Open to all eligible participants across the European wheat value chain, the scheme is built on a clear separation between governance, implementation, and verification. This independent structure enhances transparency, credibility, and trust, supporting broader adoption across the sector.

 “Harmony’s transition to an independent certification scheme marks an important step for sustainable wheat production in Europe. At the ProTerra Foundation, we have extensive experience managing certification systems that connect farmers, businesses, and consumers around shared sustainability goals,” said Emese Van Maanen, managing director, ProTerra Foundation. “We look forward to welcoming new participants across the wheat value chain and to supporting Harmony’s growth as an open, credible, and impactful scheme.”

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Susan Reidy is senior editor with World Grain and editor of the Grain & Milling Annual. She has 21 years of experience covering the grain handling and milling industries, the past 17 years with Sosland Publishing Company. She received a bachelor’s of journalism degree from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Connect with Susan Reidy on LinkedIn or via email.