When leading pioneers such as Rudolf Steiner, Robert Rodale, Sir Albert Howard and Lady Balfour propound their thoughts on agriculture in the 1920s to 1940s, they advocated for a holistic approach to agriculture as well as a way of life. Could they have foreseen the entangling web of technical standards, regulations and conformity systems that we have weaved for the organic sector today?
Based on a commitment to a philosophy, organic standards and certification schemes arose within the private sector in the early 1970s. They were primarily developed by non-government associations of farmers and consumers based in Europe and the US. Recognition as an organic producer in the early years was based simply on becoming a member of an organic association. A self declaration was sufficient. Later, informal peer reviews took place and loose guidelines were set. The world of organic standards and conformity assessment has come a long way since.
The number of private organic certification schemes has greatly increased. Many today are professional bodies operating under 3rd party independent inspection and certification norms. In the last 15 years particularly in recent years, an expanding number of governmental organic regulations have developed worldwide in parallel with private systems. Today, there are more than 360 organic certification bodies based in 57 countries working worldwide. Whilst some maintain their own proprietary standards, many certify to set regulations.
Whilst the purpose of certification is to foster confidence of consumers and to enhance trade in organic products, the plethora of certification requirements and regulations today is becoming a major obstacle to the development of the organic sector, especially for operators in developing countries.
Some of the systemic problems and challenges that have resulted from this labyrinth of standards and conformity assessment systems are as follows:
There is undoubtedly a need for harmonization of organic guarantee systems in the private as well as public sectors to sustain and further enhance trade in organic products. What are the elements that make up this entangled web of standards, regulations, certification and accreditation systems? How can we untangle this Entangling Web that is choking development of the organic sector?
Better collaboration between the private and government sector is critical. A better understanding of the appropriate roles for government and private bodies in standard setting, certification and accreditation is required. An international mechanism for equivalency determination between regulations and private stems is necessary. One that respects diversity in organic agricultural systems and allow for variations in standards where appropriate.
The presentation will review the historical development in organic standards and conformity assessment systems; discuss current initiatives in harmonisation; examine the core challenges and explore possible approaches.
