Organic Guidelines for Control Climate Production

OCA – 016 (31/10/11) OneCert Asia Approved by: Sandeep Bhargava Page 1 of 7 Your One Stop for Organic Certification In the World Market of Organic Food How to get yourself Organic certified as per International Standards (NPOP, NOP, EU- 834/2007) Guidelines for Handler –Processor –Distributor OneCert = Value Disclaimer: These Guidelines are made for developing basic understanding only, Can not be used or referred as standard reference. For the standard reference please refer to applicable standards. OneCert Asia Agri Certification (P) Ltd. H-08, Mansarovar Industrial Area, Mansarovar, Jaipur – 30 20 20, Rajasthan, India Phone No. +91 141 6541882 & Fax No: +91 141 2395481 E-mail: info@onecertasia.in; Website: www.onecertasia.in OCA – 016 (31/10/11) OneCert Asia Approved by: Sandeep Bhargava Page 2 of 7 OneCert is a nationally and internationally operating Organic Certification agency accredited by APEDA under National Program for Organic Production (NPOP-India). OneCert Asia is a branch of OneCert Inc; US OneCert was formed to provide understandable, affordable and efficient certification by certifying simultaneously to the India-NPOP, US-NOP, European Union-EU 834/2007 in one certification fees. This ensures adherence to the highest possible standards as well as providing the clients with certification for all the major world market of Organic produce. The name OneCert and logo are recognized internationally as a symbol of high integrity and quality. Onecert Certification team has experience and expertise in food handling, processing, transportation and distribution. OneCert ensures all the support, within the permitted limits, to its customer. What is Organic Certification? Organic Certification is a procedure for verifying that product confirms to certain standards, in case of Organic Product, it is primarily the acknowledgement that the products has been Produced/Processed/Handled/Distributed according to the applicable Organic Handling/production /Processing/Handling standards. Why Organic Certification? 1. Organic certification helps in building trust between consumers and organic farmers. 2. The certification mark ‘Organic’ is the only means to differentiate between certified organic 3. and conventional foods 4. Labels and certification marks help a consumer to recognise trustworthy Organic products easily. 5. Organic certification and the logo are important marketing tools 6. Organic certification helps in getting comparatively a better price OCA – 016 (31/10/11) OneCert Asia Approved by: Sandeep Bhargava Page 3 of 7 Benefits of Organic Certification by OneCert Asia 1. OneCert Certification services are understandable, affordable and efficient. 2. We provide India NPOP-India, NOP-USDA and EU 834/2007 Certifications all in one fee. 3. A team of young, energetic and experienced inspectors having excellent knowledge of different types of operations is deputed. 4. OneCert Logo is recognized internationally as a symbol of very high integrity and quality. 5. Customer services and other supports to the clients are par excellence. 6. Requirements of the entire major international standards have been summarized in OneCert Asia international standards. 7. Fully understanding the values and importance of transaction certificates,, these certificates are released in 24 hours, of receiving the required documents. 8. Neither hidden costs nor confusing statements. Note:-HACCP, ISO, FSMS certified facilities need only a few additional requirements for organic certification. The documents prepared for the above systems are acceptable for organic certification also. The Certification Process The Certification process of OneCert is divided into 5 steps STEP-1:- Registration and Application:- For obtaining Organic Certification the first step is to be registered with OneCert Asia who in turn will provide you with an application packet. The packet contains Application form, agreement, Organic Handling plan, Product profile, Product inventory list. In Organic Handling Plan (OHP) information about Record keeping, Product composition, Process flow, Pest management practices, Preventive OCA – 016 (31/10/11) OneCert Asia Approved by: Sandeep Bhargava Page 4 of 7 measures, and the methods used for prevention of contamination are required. While submitting the OHP plan one must attach the Facility Map, Floor plan and Product label presently in use or to be used in future. STEP-2:- Application Review:- Once your complete application is received, we will review the same on the basis of applicable standards. If any incomplete information/non compliance are found or any additional information is needed, we will contact you. Once required information is gathered or non compliance is over, an on site audit is planned on a mutually agreed date and time. This reviewing of application usually takes about a couple of days based on the information provided by applicant. STEP-3:-Inspection On the prescribed date a trained Organic Process Inspector, familiar with your type of operation will reach your facility. The inspector will thoroughly examine each process and documents of your operation and facility for the verification of your plan in an accurate description of FSMS compliance. During an exit interview he will summarize his findings and ask for any additional information if required. Inspection normally takes half a day to 3 days depending upon the complexity of operations. STEP-4:- Secondary Review:- After submission of the inspector’s report, it is reviewed to evaluate compliance with the applicable standards. During the Secondary Review if more information is required we will contact you. After the receipt of report from the inspector, the Secondary Review generally takes 2-4 days. STEP-5:- Certification Decision After completion of the Secondary Review the file is send for the final decision where it takes 1-2 weeks. After receiving the final decision, you will receive your Organic Certificate along with a covering letter citing the conditions for awarding certificate. The Organic Certificate OCA – 016 (31/10/11) OneCert Asia Approved by: Sandeep Bhargava Page 5 of 7 contains name of your company, address, category of certification and list of certified organic product. The entire Certification Process may take about 4-12 weeks depending upon documents and co-operation provided. Basic Requirements for Organic Certification of Handler Every standard has some basic requirements that an operator needs to comply with and are as follows:- 1. Records: - The operator must maintain a record of all activities, details of materials received and dispatched. The detailed records must also reveal all the activities and transactions which can be clearly understood and audited. Hence the records must present a clear audit trail of incoming raw materials, ingredients, product run, product storage, dispatch, transportation, sales etc. 2. Pest Management:- Organic handler must implement Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies including preventive practices and regular monitoring. Precautions must be taken to avoid contamination of organic product and the packaging material with any pest control materials. For obtaining a list of approved materials & methods for pest control please contact OneCert Asia office. 3. Contamination and Commingling:- Operators handling Organic and Non-organic products within the same facility must demonstrate their ability to maintain the integrity of organic products. Management practices must be applied by them to ensure critical control points and prevent contamination or commingling and as such the operator must store and transport the Organic and Non –Organic Produces separately. 4. Product Composition:- Organic raw materials and ingredients must be certified as per the applicable standards. Non-agricultural ingredients or processing aids are limited to those listed in approved material list of applicable OCA – 016 (31/10/11) OneCert Asia Approved by: Sandeep Bhargava Page 6 of 7 standard. Products may carry different label claims '100% Organic', 'Organic' and 'Made with Organic' depending on its final composition. For the detailed requirements please consult OneCert International Standards, USDA-NOP, NPOP-India & EU 834/2007 regulations. Above standards can be downloaded from our website www.onecertasia.in. Cost of Organic Certification by OneCert:- OneCert is formed to provide understandable, affordable and efficient certification simultaneously for the India-NPOP, US-NOP, and European Union-EU 834/2007 standards in single Certification fees i.e. One Certification fee for ALL. The fees may vary depending upon the time required for different activities such as processing of application, review/s, inspection/s, report writing, decision making etc. Fees of a Handler and Processor depend upon: 1. No. of products applied for Organic Certification. 2. No. of production lines (Processor only). 3. No. of Operation sites or Offices. 4. Size of operation. 5. Complexity of operation. 6. Records maintained and information provided. 7. Support provided by applicant. The Fees for the different categories of Operators may be within in the range of Rs.10, 000/- to Rs.1,00,000/-. For more details please write to OneCert Asia Office with brief description of your operations. Time taken by OneCert Asia for Organic Certification The complete certification process may take 4 to 12 weeks depending upon the providence of information and support by the applicant. Complaint & Appeals: Under the provisions of OneCert Certification Procedure (OCA-111) any decision taken in respect of granting withholding, renewal, suspension or cancellation of certification under the NPOP, NOP & OCA – 016 (31/10/11) OneCert Asia Approved by: Sandeep Bhargava Page 7 of 7 EEC 834/2007 can be appealed against. An operator may also lodge the complaint. For the Procedure and Guidelines for making an appeal and complaints, contact Sandeep Bhargava Chief Executive Officer OneCert Asia Agri Certification (P) Ltd. H-08, Mansarovar Industrial Area, Mansarovar, Jaipur – 30 20 20, Rajasthan, India Phone No. +91 141 6541882 & Fax No: +91 141 2395481 E-mail: info@onecertasia.in; Website: www.onecertasia.in