Table of Contents
Introduction to Organic Certification
Definition
- Organic certification is a systematic process of verifying that a farm or food production system adheres to established organic standards.
- It involves a set of production standards for growing, storage, processing, packaging, and shipping organic products.
Significance
- Provides assurance of quality and prevents fraud in organic products marketed to consumers (Willer & Lernoud, 2019).
- Ensures avoidance of synthetic chemical inputs, genetically modified organisms, and strict separation from non-certified products.
Objectives
- The primary objective is to regulate and facilitate the sale of organic products to consumers.
- It serves as a credible guarantee that the product has been produced according to organic principles and standards.
The Organic Certification Process
Understanding organic standards
- The first step is to study and comprehend the specific organic standards that the farm or production system must comply with.
- Standards typically cover various aspects such as land requirements, permitted and prohibited inputs, and recordkeeping.
Compliance
- Farm facilities, production methods, and inputs must be aligned with the organic standards.
- This may involve modifying facilities, sourcing different suppliers, or changing production practices.
Documentation
- Extensive paperwork is required, including detailed farm history, current setup, soil and water test results, and annual production plans.
- Maintaining accurate and up-to-date records is crucial for transparency and traceability.
Inspection
- Annual on-farm inspections are mandatory, conducted by representatives of the certification body.
- Inspectors verify compliance with standards, review documentation, and may collect samples for testing.
Fee payment
- Growers or producers pay a certification fee to the agency, covering costs related to annual surveillance, inspection, and the use of the organic mark or logo.
- Fees may vary based on factors such as farm size, complexity, and the certification body’s rates.
Record-keeping
- Written, day-to-day farming and marketing records must be maintained, covering all activities from seed to sale.
- These records must be available for inspection at any time, ensuring transparency and traceability.
Organic Certification Systems in India
National Programme on Organic Production (NPOP)
- Governed by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, under the Foreign Trade & Development Act (FTDR Act).
- Defines the national standards and implementing procedures for organic certification in India.
Operational structure:
- National Steering Committee: The apex policy-making body overseeing the entire program.
- National Accreditation Body (NAB): Responsible for accrediting certification and inspection agencies.
- Technical Committee and Evaluation Committee: Support the NPOP with technical expertise and evaluation.
- APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority): Secretariat and implementation office for export certification.
- Agricultural Marketing Advisor (Directorate of Marketing and Inspection): Secretariat and implementation office for domestic certification.
National Standards for Organic Production (NSOP)
The NSOP is a comprehensive set of standards grouped into six categories:
- Conversion requirements
- Crop production
- Animal husbandry
- Food processing and handling
- Labeling
- Storage and transport
Conversion period:
Minimum duration for transitioning land and operations to organic management, ranging from 12 to 18 months depending on the crop.
Crop production
- Crop and variety choice: Only certified organic seeds and planting materials can be used; the use of genetically engineered seeds, pollen, or transgenic plants is prohibited.
- Fertilization: Biodegradable materials of plant or animal origin produced on organic farms should form the basis of the fertilization policy.
- Pest, disease, and weed management: Botanical pesticides prepared on-farm from local plants, animals, and microorganisms are allowed. The use of genetically engineered organisms or products is prohibited.
- Soil and water conservation: Sustainable practices must be implemented to prevent soil erosion, salination, and pollution of surface and ground water.
- Wild harvesting: Non-cultivated materials of plant origin and honey can be certified organic if derived from a stable and sustainable ecosystem without threatening plant or animal species.
Food processing and handling:
- Food processing: Organic products must be protected from co-mingling with non-organic products and adequately identified throughout the process. Permitted methods include controlled atmosphere, cooling, freezing, drying, and humidity regulation. Pest and disease control should rely on mechanical, physical, biological methods, and approved substances.
- Packaging: Eco-friendly and recyclable materials should be used for packaging organic products.
Labeling:
Labeling: Specific requirements govern the use of the term “organic” and the “India Organic” logo on product labels, depending on the percentage of organic ingredients.
Storage and transport:
Organic products must be protected from co-mingling with non-organic products and contact with prohibited substances during storage and transport.
Organic Certification Mark
The "India Organic" Logo
Trademark owned by the Government of India, granted based on compliance with the NSOP.
Logo concept and symbolism:
- The blue and brown waves represent cosmic and earth forces and energy.
- The blue color symbolizes universal purity, the brown represents the richness of soil nourished by natural ingredients in organic farming, and the green plant signifies nature and natural products untouched by chemicals.
- The blue background symbolizes the Earth’s environment, which is conducive to life and free from pollution and harmful chemicals.
Regulatory Mechanism for Organic Production in India
- Formation of organic farmers’ groups and registration with district authorities.
- Documentation of individual farm records, including land history, inputs used, and production practices.
- Involvement of service providers, such as consultants or extension agents, to assist farmers in transitioning to organic practices.
- Accreditation of agencies by the National Accreditation Body (NAB) to conduct certification and inspection activities.
- Periodic inspection of organic farms by accredited certification and inspection agencies to verify compliance with standards.
Organic Certification Procedure in Brief
- Application: The grower or producer submits an application to the certification agency, providing necessary farm and process details.
- Screening and cost estimation: The certification agency screens the application, requests additional information if needed, and provides a cost estimate, including certification charges, inspection fees, travel costs, reporting costs, and laboratory charges.
- Agreement: After accepting the cost estimate, the grower/producer signs an agreement with the certification agency, outlining the terms and conditions.
- Production plan and standards: The certification agency requests a detailed cropping/production/cultivation/processing plan from the grower/producer and provides a copy of the applicable organic standards to be followed.
- Fee payment: The grower/producer pays a portion (typically 50%) of the certification cost in advance.
- Inspection:
1. The certification agency schedules on-site inspections, which may occur on multiple occasions.
2. Unannounced inspections can also be conducted if deemed necessary.
3. The inspection team may collect plant, soil, raw material, input, or product samples for laboratory analysis in case of doubts or concerns. - Inspection report and review: The inspection report(s) are submitted to the certification committee of the agency for review and evaluation.
- Final payment and certification: The certification agency requests the final payment from the grower/producer, and upon receipt, the certification is granted.
I. Product release: The grower/producer can then release the certified organic stock for sale with the “India Organic” logo or mark.
Accreditation Process
Definition
Accreditation is a process in which a recognized authority presents certification of competency, authority, or credibility to an organization or individual.
Significance:
- Accreditation ensures the reliability and integrity of certification bodies, providing assurance that they are competent and follow established standards and procedures (Thimmappaiah et al., 2020).
- It promotes confidence in the organic certification system and the products bearing the organic label.
Guidelines for Organic Food Processing
- Optimization: Handling and processing of organic products should be optimized to maintain quality and minimize potential contamination or degradation.
- Pollution prevention: Potential sources of pollution, such as air emissions, water discharges, or equipment residues, should be identified and addressed.
- Ingredients and inputs:
a. Flavoring extracts used in organic products should preferably be organic themselves.
b. The use of non-organic ingredients or processing aids should be minimized and limited to those specifically allowed by the organic standards. - Segregation:
a. Organic products must be protected from co-mingling or contact with non-organic products throughout the processing, handling, and storage stages.
b. Dedicated equipment, storage areas, and transportation should be used for organic products to prevent cross-contamination. - Storage and transportation:
a. Organic and non-organic products should not be stored or transported together to avoid potential commingling.
b. Special conditions such as controlled atmosphere, cooling, freezing, drying, and humidity regulation are permitted for organic product storage and transport, as long as they comply with organic standards.
c. Ethylene gas can be used for ripening organic produce, as it is a naturally occurring plant hormone. - Packaging:
a. Biodegradable and environmentally friendly packaging materials should be used for organic products whenever possible.
b. The use of certain packaging treatments or materials, such as benzooxazolyl or methoxymethyl fluorine, may be prohibited or restricted by organic standards.
Importance of Organic Certification
Consumer trust and confidence:
- Organic certification provides consumers with assurance that the products they purchase have been produced according to established organic principles and standards (Janssen & Hamm, 2012).
- It helps build trust and credibility in the organic market, allowing consumers to make informed choices.
Market access and premiums:
- Certified organic products can access domestic and international markets that require organic certification for labeling and sale.
- Organic certification often enables producers to command premium prices for their products, reflecting the added value and production costs associated with organic practices.
Environmental and social benefits:
- Organic farming practices aim to minimize the use of synthetic inputs, promote biodiversity, and conserve natural resources, contributing to environmental sustainability (Reganold & Wachter, 2016).
- Organic certification systems often incorporate social and ethical considerations, such as fair labor practices and community development, aligning with sustainable development goals.
Challenges and Future Trends
Technological advancements
- The use of emerging technologies, such as precision agriculture, biotechnology, and nanotechnology, in organic production raises questions about their compatibility with organic principles and may require updates to existing standards.
- Ongoing research and stakeholder discussions are needed to address these challenges and ensure the integrity of organic certification systems.
Harmonization of standards:
- While there are international guidelines (e.g., Codex Alimentarius), organic standards and certification requirements can vary across countries and regions, creating challenges for international trade and market access.
- Efforts are underway to harmonize and align organic standards globally, facilitating cross-border recognition and reducing trade barriers (Willer et al., 2021).
Capacity building and support
- In many regions, there is a need for increased capacity building, training, and support services to assist farmers in transitioning to organic practices and navigating the certification process.
- Governments, non-governmental organizations, and private sector initiatives play a crucial role in promoting organic agriculture and facilitating access to certification (Setboonsarng & Leung, 2014).
