Certification, standards and policy

Organic certification is the key to market access, but for small farmers in developing countries it presents a major challenge.

International certification procedures are unaffordable for small farmers. Two alternatives are being implemented in various FiBL projects, primarily in eastern Europe and Asia; these involve the setting up of internal monitoring systems and the development of local certification programmes.

FiBL’s services for certification and policy development include:

Setting up certification bodies
Supporting certification bodies in the accreditation process (ISO 65/EN 45011, IFOAM accreditation)
Training certification and accreditation bodies and the authorities involved in organic agriculture
Coaching authorities in the development of organic farming policies, promotion strategies and action plans
Elaborating, evaluating and revising standards and regulations

Selected Projects

Albania: Sustainable Agriculture Support Albania (SASA): Inspection and Certification

Within this project a local organic inspection and certification company (Albinspekt), was established. Furthermore the Albanian government is supported in the implementation process of the national organic law.
The project is running from 2006 to 2010.
Project partners are Albinspekt, bio.inspecta and Balkan Biocert.
The project is funded by SECO
Homepage www.albinspekt.com

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Bulgaria: Balkan Biocert

Balkan Biocert is a Bulgarian organic certification body, established with the support of FiBL and an international certification body. Consultancy is provided to comply with international requirements. Personnel are trained to offer highly competent inspection and certification services. Management is coached in its organisational and strategic decision making.
Project partners are Balkan Biocert, Bioselena and IMO.
The project is funded by SECO
Homepage www.balkanbiocert.com

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India: Indocert

The aims and activities of the project are to set up the local certification body Indocert, capacity building, coaching in inspection, certification and accreditation, business development and establishing links with policy and market development.
The project is running from 2002 to 2008.
Project partners are Indocert, bio.inspecta and various Indian Organisations.
The project is funded by SECO
Homepage www.indocert.org
FiBL contact: Lukas Kilcher

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Indonesia: Local Certification Indonesia

The aims of the project are to support the Indonesian certification body in preparation and training for the ISO 65 accreditation, as well as for the IFOAM accreditation, and helping with the revision of documents.
Project partner is Biocert.
The project is funded by EED
FiBL contact: Beate Huber

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Lebanon: Libancert

The aims of the project are to develop the domestic and international market for Lebanese organic products by supporting the establishment of a local certification body. Furthermore, there are pilot projects and various marketing, promotion and training activities.
The project is running from 2006 to 2010.
Project partners are Libancert, ALOA and bio.inspecta.
The project is funded by SECO
Homepage www.libancert.com
FiBL contacts: Beate Huber and Paul van den Berge

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Macedonia, FYR: Organic Agriculture Development in the Republic of Macedonia (OradeM): Policy support

The aim of the project is to support policy makers in developing organic farming in Macedonia.
Project partners are PROBIO and the Ministry of Agriculture (MAFWE).
The project is funded by SDC

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Romania: Organic certification in Romania

The aims of the project are, firstly, to establish a Romanian inspection and certification body, secondly, to overcome the barrier of certification and gain access to the organic market in Western Europe, and thirdly, to establish a professional, independent and locally owned certification agency Ecoinspect (established 2002).
The project is running from 2004 to 2008.
Project partners are Ecoinspect, bio.inspecta, Bioterra and the Eastern Christian Mission .
The project is funded by SECO

Homepage www.ecoinspect.ro
FiBL contact Monika Schneider

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Sri Lanka: Local Certification Sri Lanka

The goal of the project is to assess the national organic certification program and to develop the organic production base in Sri Lanka for domestic consumption and exports.
Project partner is GSS.
The project is funded by the EU.

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Ukraine: Organic Standard Ltd., Ukraine

The goals and activities of the project are to set up a Ukrainian control- and certification body, policy dialogue and market development.
Project partners are certification body, IMO, Balkan Biocert, Biolan, market initiatives.
The project is funded by SECO