The Rainforest Alliance is an internationally recognized and operating environmental organization based in New York City and San Jose (Costa Rica). As an international non-governmental organization (NGO), it is part of the Sustainable Agriculture Network. It has become well-known in Germany for its “Rainforest Alliance Certified” seal of approval for products from sustainable forestry and agriculture.
In 1989, the Rainforest Alliance launched the SmartWood program, the world's first program for sustainable forest management. Its aim was to make forestry in the tropics market-driven and socially and environmentally compatible. Based on this commitment, the Rainforest Alliance, together with other non-governmental organizations, was one of the founders of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC®), which was initiated in 1993.