 |
 |
 |
|
 |
) |
) |
) |
Expertise in smallholder group certification
)
IMO is specialized in smallholder group certification systems. We are highly experienced in trainings both for producer groups who wish to set up or optimize their Internal Control System (ICS) and for inspectors or certification staff in how to evaluate an ICS and check the group's compliance.
IMO is active in the field of smallholder group certification in developing countries since more than 15 years and has been one of the first certifiers to develop an adapted control system for organic groups, based on the existence of a strong formal Internal Control System instead of inspection of many individual smallholder farmers each year. IMO currently certifies more than 320 smallholder groups with an ICS world-wide.
In 1999 IMO and Naturland published the first Manual on Quality Assurance in Smallholder Groups, which in its second edition (2002) remains one of the most important documents on this issue.
In 2003 and 2004 IMO developed for IFOAM several new key documents on smallholder group certification, based on the results of a broad harmonization process within the organic movement. All documents can be ordered from the IFOAM download shop . IMO clients may request also a Word/Powerpoint version from their IMO office.
Since end 2004 IMO is further developing the group certification approach to cover also other quality standards such as Utz Certified, GLOBALGAP, fairtrade, HACCP, etc.) This ongoing project is financed and initiated by the Coffee Support Network and HIVOS (Netherlands).
The Guidance Manual and training curriculums have been revised to include also the requirements of other quality standards, with special focus (as a first step) on Utz Certified. Currently IMO organizes for CSN different one-week training courses in ICS evaluation and development with special focus on Utz Certified.
For more information about IMO's activities in this field, contact Ute Eisenlohr (international@imo.ch).
IMO is active in the field of smallholder group certification in developing countries since more than 15 years and has been one of the first certifiers to develop an adapted control system for organic groups, based on the existence of a strong formal Internal Control System instead of inspection of many individual smallholder farmers each year. IMO currently certifies more than 320 smallholder groups with an ICS world-wide.
In 1999 IMO and Naturland published the first Manual on Quality Assurance in Smallholder Groups, which in its second edition (2002) remains one of the most important documents on this issue.
In 2003 and 2004 IMO developed for IFOAM several new key documents on smallholder group certification, based on the results of a broad harmonization process within the organic movement. All documents can be ordered from the IFOAM download shop . IMO clients may request also a Word/Powerpoint version from their IMO office.
- Smallholder Group Certification Guidance Manual for Producer Organisations
- Training Curriculum for Producer Organisations in how to set up or harmonize an Internal Control System (slides, exercises, background text)
- Training Curriculum for inspectors and certification staff in evaluation of an Internal Control System (sample ICS inspection protocol, slides, exercises, background text)
Since end 2004 IMO is further developing the group certification approach to cover also other quality standards such as Utz Certified, GLOBALGAP, fairtrade, HACCP, etc.) This ongoing project is financed and initiated by the Coffee Support Network and HIVOS (Netherlands).
The Guidance Manual and training curriculums have been revised to include also the requirements of other quality standards, with special focus (as a first step) on Utz Certified. Currently IMO organizes for CSN different one-week training courses in ICS evaluation and development with special focus on Utz Certified.
For more information about IMO's activities in this field, contact Ute Eisenlohr (international@imo.ch).
) |
) |
) |
