KitKat has announced a global pledge to use only sustainably sourced cocoa for its products starting the first quarter of 2016.

The pledge marks the brand's 80th birthday and is part of Nestlé’s commitment to source 150,000 tone of sustainably produced cocoa by 2017 through the Nestlé Cocoa Plan. The plan aims to better the lives of cocoa farming communities while improving the quality of cocoa purchased by Nestlé.

“We’re delighted to be a flag bearer for the industry, as the first global chocolate brand to announce such a move," says Sandra Martinez, Head of Confectionery. “Sustainable cocoa sourcing helps safeguard the livelihoods of farming communities and delivers higher quality cocoa beans. This announcement will only strengthen consumer trust in KitKat as a responsible brand.”

KitKat already uses sustainably sourced cocoa for products in certain markets, but this new pledge will extend the practice worldwide, including in the U.S., where the brand is owned by The Hershey Co.