| Organic certification is a way for organic growers to | | | | inspections to ensure compliance with the Organic |
| ensure their products and their effort in keeping their | | | | Certification code. |
| product chemical free is recognised. | | | | Inspectors check farms and properties and peruse |
| The process of Organic Certification can involve | | | | reports to ensure growers, processors or distributors |
| many levels in the growing, processing and distribution | | | | have adhered to the strict certification process. |
| process. It also includes strict policies relating to | | | | Inspectors will check to ensure: |
| Storage, Packaging and shipping. | | | | - Farms have been free from chemicals for 3 or |
| Seed growers, seed suppliers, farms, processors, | | | | more years (this may alter between certification |
| wholesalers, retailers and food preparation areas such | | | | bodies but the average is 3 years) |
| as restaurants can apply for Organic certification. | | | | - Detailed reports have been recorded as to what |
| Gaining certified organic status is a process and not | | | | has been brought into the property and other |
| something that can be bought. | | | | operating and processing data. |
| Each country has its own standards for certification. | | | | - No Synthetic Fertilisers, Herbicides or pesticides |
| The International Federation Organic Agriculture | | | | were used or acquired for use on the property. |
| Movement (IFOAM) provides an umbrella and a basic | | | | There is no exact International Certified Organic |
| Organic Standards Criteria for certification bodies | | | | Code. Each certifier sets there own standards and |
| around the world. | | | | criteria. |
| Around the world leading Certification bodies include: | | | | The International Federation Organic Agriculture |
| - In Australia, Australian Certified Organic (ACO) is | | | | Movement (IFOAM) sets a basic framework and |
| perhaps the most recognised. According to the ACO, | | | | oversees the certification bodies. It is probably best |
| they currently certify 55% of the Australian Organic | | | | described as the international certifier of the country |
| Industry. | | | | and local certification bodies. |
| - In the USA, the United States Department of | | | | There are many debates centred on whether |
| Agriculture (USDA) sets the standards for | | | | products certified as organic truly are synthetic |
| Certification. | | | | chemical free. Even with strict book keeping |
| - JAS in Japan | | | | measures it's easy to omit something from the |
| - Agriculture Biologique (AB) in France | | | | books. These debates usually dry up after the huge |
| - In Europe the EU has its own Certification body and | | | | cost a farmer goes through to reach certification |
| in early 2010 launched its new logo depicting the stars | | | | standards. It's an expensive process in both transition |
| of the EU in the shape of a leaf on a green | | | | stages and ongoing expenses relating to keeping |
| background. | | | | certification. |
| Certification bodies provide guidelines and on-site | | | | |