Some of the systemic problems and challenges that have resulted from this labyrinth of standards and conformity assessment systems are as follows:

• Import discrimination whereby compliance is required with standards not always suitable to the agro-ecological conditions of exporting countries;
• Multiple accreditation of certification bodies in order to access international markets, namely Europe, Japan and USA;
• Need of multiple certifications by organic operators in order to access international markets, namely Europe, Japan and USA.
• Difficulties faced by operators, due to different interpretation of rules by certification bodies;
• Enormous workload (and delays) for authorities in negotiating recognition agreements;
• Limitation of the effectiveness of bilateral agreements in cases of products with ingredients sourced from around the globe;
• Lack of recognition by national regulations of private multi-lateral agreements such as the one between IFOAM Accredited certification bodies.
• Lack of clarity on the respective roles that should be fulfilled by the private sector and the government sector relative to organic standards and conformity assessment.

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.