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Internal Control Systems (ICSs) for Group Certification |
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News: IFOAM's response to the NOSB recommendation on group certification (02/11/2007) |
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Definition and principles |
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An Internal Control System (ICS) is the part of a documented quality assurance system that allows an external certification body to delegate the periodical inspection of individual group members to an identified body or unit within the certified operator. This means that the third party certification bodies only have to inspect the well-functioning of the system, as well as to perform a few spot-check re-inspections of individual smallholders. |
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Historical background and current status |
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Smallholder groups have been certified on the basis of ICSs for many years. Since the mid 80s, even before public regulations on organic agriculture where developed, private certification bodies developed group certification systems in order to facilitate the certification of smallholder farmers in developing countries. Over the last decade however, private requirements regarding group certification / ICSs have differed considerably between different certifiers. |
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IFOAM's work on Group Certification
- IFOAM training kit on ICS for smallholder group certification
In 2004, IFOAM published a set of training materials on ICS for smallholder group certification, using the product of the three workshops. Download the workshop results here. This set of training materials encompasses one training kit for smallholder groups and one training kit for third party inspectors and certification bodies’ personnel. Both training kits, were developed according to a didactic approach and encompass: a training manual for trainers; the corresponding training slides; and a guidance manual for training participants.
To download the IFOAM training kit on ICS for smallholder group certification, click here.
- IFOAM's position on smallholders
It is imperative that small operators are not marginalized and unduly excluded from the organic sector due to factors beyond their control. Standards must allow for local equivalence and certification systems must be innovative and cost efficient enough to address smallholders’ situation worldwide, particularly in developing countries. The IFOAM Position on Smallholder Group Certification for Organic Production and Processing gives IFOAM's opinion about group certification for smallholders in developing countries. It also points out that there may be a number of other situations where group certification concepts may be relevant and applicable, and that these should be discussed in the near future.
To read the full text of IFOAM's position on smallholder group certification, click here.
- IFOAM's Accreditation Criteria paragraph on smallholders
Within its IFOAM Norms for Organic Production and Processing, IFOAM publishes IFOAM Accreditation Criteria for Bodies Certifying Organic Production and Processing. Section 8.3 of these Accreditation Criteria deal with group certification.
You can read paragraph 8.3 of the IFOAM Accreditation Criteria, by clicking on the link in the "pdf-downloads" section in the right column of this page.
- IFOAM's project on promoting the adoption of group certification in the Northern countries
For more information on the project and on the European consultation and pilot projects process, click here.
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