|
|
 |
1st IFOAM Conference on Organic Certification |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Introduction
Organic certification agencies and thus the organic sector are facing
many weighty issues. The burgeoning growth of organic standards and the
increasing complexity of organic certification necessitate broad
stakeholder consultation to assess and define strategies for moving
forward in a unified and systematic way.
Organic certification is now virtually mandatory for all trade of
organic products. Organic certification bodies have grown both in
complexity and number, evolving from predominately grower cooperatives
and farmer unions. Some certification bodies include large commercial
businesses that offer a variety of product certification, from ISO 9000
and 14000 to organic certification. Government supervision and
regulation of organic certification has become more common, and some
governments and government bodies have even established certification
programs, the impact of which needs to be assessed for trade in organic
products.
With the 1st IFOAM Conference on Organic Certification IFOAM starts a
serious of conferences dedicated to issues relevant to the organic
certification sector.
Conference Goal
To improve the performance of organic certification in promoting trade,
upholding integrity and assuring consumers of organic products.
Main objectives of the conference
- Foster dialogue among stakeholders involved in organic certification issues
- Establish and reinforce networks
- Set the future direction of organic certification and harmonization
Target Groups
- Organic certification bodies worldwide, both government and private
- Organic Accreditation bodies, both government and private
- Other government supervision and control bodies
- Consultants
- Like minded organizations engaged in ecological and social labeling and certification
Representative list of conference topics
- Certification body cooperation in the chain of international organic trade - cooperation vs. competition
- Creating efficiencies and innovation in certification: risk based approaches
- Further development of Internal Control Systems (ICS) throughout the world
- Technology innovations in organic certification
- Mutual recognition among certification bodies
- Organic certification quality standards for regulating imports – One International Certification Requirement
- Best practices in organic certification
- Utilizing and benefiting from indigenous knowledge in organic certification systems
- The scope of organic certification: Are there really such
things as organic salt? organic water? How to find and agree on the
boundaries for organic certification? Social requirements?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
