Organic Certification Bodies — International

Although international equivalency negotiations are underway (some agreements are already in place) to harmonize certification between countries, there are some international certification bodies in place already. Such organizations include IFOAM (International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements), OCIA (Organic Crop Improvement Association), Ecocert, and Demeter.

• IFOAM – For over 30 years, IFOAM has led the way to revolutionize the organic movement. IFOAM consistently networks beyond the borders of class, gender, and region by continually improving organizational structure, policies, and standards. In doing so, they have been able to provide a model for numerous major laws and voluntary standards, (Codex Alimentarius, EU, FAO) while integrating scientific expertise and business sense into the emotional realm of organic agriculture. Today, IFOAM’s Basic Standards are translated into 18 languages.

• OCIA – The OCIA organic certification seal is recognized around the world and services thousands of organic growers, processors, and handlers in North, Central, and South America; Africa; Europe; and the Pacific Rim.
  
  
  
  
  
  

• Ecocert – Ecocert certification is an international organic certification body represented in France, Belgium, Italy, Portugal, Germany, and Spain. Ecocert SA is an affiliate inspection and certification body accredited to verify the conformity of organic products against the organic regulations of Europe, Japan, and the United States. Ecocert SA performs inspection and certification services on all continents in some 70 countries outside the EU.

• Demeter-International – Demeter is a world-wide biodynamic certification system used to verify production in over 60 countries. Foods grown must adhere to strict biodynamic agricultural standards and are then allowed to use the “Demeter certified” label. Biodynamic agriculture goes beyond the standard demands of organics by incorporating three additional principles: the farm is a sustainable ecosystem in itself, use of bio-dynamic preparations enhances the activities in the compost and the soil, and the dynamic forces of the sun, moon, planets, and constellations on plants ultimately nourish humans physically, spiritually, and emotionally. Biodynamics is the oldest non-chemical agricultural movement, predating the organic agriculture movement by some twenty years and has now spread throughout the world.

A good reference site for countries and their certification bodies is Organic Ltd.