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Italian Organic Standards Join Family of IFOAM Standards |
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August 22, 2005
Italian Organic Standards Join Family of IFOAM Standards |
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The International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) is pleased to announce the approval of the Italian Organic Standards, the first regional organic standards in IFOAM’s “Family of Standards” that have been reviewed and approved as being consistent with the IFOAM Basic Standards, the globally accepted international standards at the root of all organic standards. |
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Developed by a consortium of Italian certification bodies, the Italian
Organic Standards represent the synchronization of their previously
independent standards. In addition to assuring consistency with the
IFOAM Basic Standards, the consortium developed its standard to be
consistent with the European Regulation 2092/91 as well.
Participating organizations include:
Associazione Italiana Agricoltura Biologica (AIAB)
Assoziazione Mediterranea Agricultura Biologica (AMAB)
Bioagricert (BAC)
BIOS
Consorzio per il Controllo dei Prodotti Biologici (CCPB)
Instituto Certificazione Etica e Ambientale (ICEA)
Instituto Mediterraneo di Certificazione (IMC)
The objective of establishing an IFOAM Family of Standards is to
support the concept of regional variation in organic standards, while
at the same time facilitating international harmonization of regional
standards. Regional standards are approved by IFOAM through a procedure
that involves the review of the applicant’s standard against the IFOAM
Basic Standard (IBS) and Criteria for Variations from the IBS.
Antonio Compagnoni, IFOAM World Board member from Italy, states, “The
establishment of the Italian Organic Standard is an important step for
the organic movement. It allows organic standards to vary regionally,
but crucially, ensures that they adhere to the democratic and
grassroots standards of IFOAM, the foundation of all organic standards
worldwide.”
Applicant standards are approved by IFOAM if they are either fully
compliant with the IBS or meet the Criteria for Variations. Approved
regional standards are recognized by the International Organic
Accreditation Service (IOAS) in the IFOAM Accreditation process.
Certification bodies that use an approved standard are exempt from the
requirement of screening of their standard during the accreditation
process. Ken Commins, IOAS Executive Director, notes, “The
establishment of regional standards will streamline and simplify the
process of accrediting certifiers, while simultaneously ensuring the
integrity and credibility of the accreditation.”
“While governments jump on the bandwagon to create national organic
programs and to politicize the standards setting process, the provision
for regional standards in accordance with the IFOAM Basic Standards
will safeguard organic standards from political vagaries,” emphasizes
IFOAM Executive Director Gerald A. Herrmann.
More details about organic standards can be found on IFOAM’s web page http://www.ifoam.org/about_ifoam/standards/index.html.
Further information can be requested from the IFOAM Head Office
(Charles-de-Gaulle-Str. 5, 53113 Bonn, Germany, phone +49-228-92650-10).
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