Standards & Regulations

Standards serve as a basic guide for organic producers in designing, managing and operating their farms/plantations or processing units. There are no regulations on organic products that are applicable worldwide. Different associations, industries or governments have varying perceptions of how organic products should be defined and certified. Thus, individual brands naming products organic may in fact have widely different standards for production and certification behind them, giving rise to unfair competitive advantages in the trade of organic agricultural products. However, work at the international level has progressed towards a common understanding of what organic agricultural products means. One pertains to the development of standards for organic production and trade in the FAO/WHO Codex Alimentarius Commission. The other forum where standards are being developed at the international level is IFOAM.

Tags: Organic Certification | Organic Consultancy | Organic Farming

USA - National Organic Programme

• Certification by USDA accredited agents is mandatory.
• US government enforcement with civil penalty for violations.
• 36 months land transition - no exceptions.
• No synthetic pesticides or fertilizers.
• No GMO’s or their products.
• Organic seed required.
• Annual farm plan.
• National materials list.

Tags: Organic Certification | Organic Consultancy | Organic Farming

Europe – EEC 2092/91 and Beyond

Foundation standard is EU Council Regulation 2092/91, published in 1991.
In each member state a ‘competent authority’ interprets the basic standard and accredits certifiers. Many certifiers in Europe have established standards that are more restrictive than the basic standard.

• European certifiers often do not recognize each other.
• Products from outside EU (and exempt ‘second countries’) must receive an import authorization from the competent authority.
• The EU has initiated, in early 2002, bilateral negotiations with theUSDA for equivalency.

Tags: Organic Certification | Organic Consultancy | Organic Farming

Japan Agricultural Standards

• Implemented by Japan Ministry of Agriculture,Forestry & Fisheries (MAFF) in April 2001.
• Product sold as organic must bear the JAS seal.
• In March 2002, MAFF recognized the US National Organic Programme as equivalent for plant-based ingredients.
• JAS mark must be affixed by JAS certified entity.

Tags: Organic Certification | Organic Consultancy | Organic Farming