Procedure for Certification of OrganicFarm /Unit

Certification Standards

Online Application Form

Component of Organic Farming

Procedure for Certification of Organic Farm/ Unit

1. Application:
   The operator (individual growers, growers association/ self help groups/NGO, Processor, Exporter etc.) interested in organic farming should submit their filled in application form with any one of the accredited Inspection and Certification agencies.

2. Offer:
   The accredited inspection and certification agencies will evaluate the information provided by the operator in the application form as endred annexure - and subsequently send an offer letter to the operator to enter into contract.
3. Contract :
   Once the operator returns a signed copy of the offer letter contract as per annexure- it implies that the operator has entered into an agreement/ contract with the inspection & Certification agency
4. Receipt:
   Upon receipt of signed offer letter from the operator, the certifier shall send a confirmation letter to the operator, which guarantees that the operator has been obliged to perform the activities under terms and conditions of "National Standards of Organic Programme".
5. Fees:
   As mentioned in the offer letter, the operator has to pay 50% of the license fee/certification fee before the first inspection and remaining 50% of the license fee has to be paid before the second inspection or before issuing the certificate whichever is the earlier.
6. Inspection:
   Once the certifier receives the license fee/certification fee from operator, the inspection visit is planned in advance and conducted in co-operation with the operator as mentioned below:-

   (a) Planning of Inspection Visits
   Based on the project, the number of inspection visits will be planned by the inspector. The inspection may be planned during any stage of crop growth. In some cases, in addition to the announced inspections, unannounced inspection can also takes place. The inspector will carry out inspection through records/documents maintained by the operators and also by periodic site inspection.
   
   (b) Inspection preparation:
   The operator has to be informed about the inspector's visit to the farm. This helps the operator to equip with the preparations needed for the inspector, like supporting documents needed for inspection, arranging for travel (including lodging & boarding) and other miscellaneous.
   
   (c) Inspection:
   The inspector will monitor the inspection as follows:-

• By visiting agricultural farms, processing units and storage units.
• By conducting interviews with responsible persons.
• By filling the relevant applications or questionnaire.
• By collecting samples of plant, soil, inputs & final product.
• Auditing, book keeping (records and accounts), internal control system.
• Calculation of input/output balance, production estimates etc.
• Assessment of quality assurance system of operator.
• Conclusion/ summarizing the inspection and
• Instruction.

  (d) Report writing :
  The inspector will prepare a report on the observations & the finding made in the unit during the inspection. The same report will be sent to the certification committee.

  7. Issue of Certificate:
  Based on the site inspection and typical verification, the inspector reports the findings to the certifier. The certification committee of the inspection and certification agency, after evaluating the contents & findings of the inspection report is entitled to issue the "Organic Certificate", which implies that the operator is following the guidelines as per the National Standards for organic production.

The certification decision by the certification committee will be clearly communicated to the operator. The Inspection and certification agency shall ensure that the decision on certification will be taken by the persons (i.e. Certification Committee) different from those who have carried out inspection.

[ back to top ]