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The GLOBALGAP/EUREPGAP Team proudly announces that IMO is now approved by FoodPlus for certification in the Flowers and Ornamentals Scope.
(17.12.2007, soh/ih)

On June 27th 2007 the NOP has publisehd an interim Final Rule that contains new nonorganically produced agricultural ingredients (§205.606) that can be allowed as minor ingredients in products labeled "organic" if these ingredinets are non available organically produced. More information...
(20.07.2007, fd)

Upon our request, the German authorities of import BLE has informed IMO , that they consider Calcium Carbide as equivalent to Ethylene, meaning that it can be approved for flower induction in organic pineapple production. However, please note that this is a specific position by the German authorities – and we can NOT guarantee that other European authorities of import will rule in the same way. The German authorities in their statement however point out, that they have also discussed the issue with the French authorities. However, since Calcium Carbide is not listed in Annex II of EEC 2092/92 (the European Regulation) please contact IMO before starting to use Calcium Carbide for flower induction in pineapple so that we can check the question also with other countries of import – and other (private) standards if necessary .
(04.07.2007 bw/ih)

Many IMO group offices offer their own domain where all important information is offered in the local language. We invite you to explore the new domain of :
IMO Switzerland
IMO China
IMO India
Click here for an overview on the IMO offices and contacts worldwide.
(02.07.2007/ih)

The new EU regulation for organic production and labelling has been approved by the EU consilium. In fact, the changes have been in the pipeline since the Commission proposal at the end of 1995.
The Regulation will enter into force in January 2009, giving member states time to adapt their own legislation accordingly. More information...
(19.06.2007 sa/ih)

IMO is now officially approved not only as inspection body, but also as certification body for the green bud (“Knospe”) of Bio Suisse in Switzerland. IMO can offer this service from 2008 onwards. Operators in Switzerland can now choose between several certification bodies if they want to label their products with the “bud”.
This decision marks a milestone in the Swiss organic sector. The new system aims to support fair competition, to further develop the quality of the Swiss organic market and to reduce costs by an efficient certification service.
In addition to the “bud” certification IMO offers its customers other possible and interesting combinations. IMO certifies since more then 20 years environmentally and socially sound production, such as organic products, food-safety, sustainable fisheries, eco-textiles, sustainable forest management, natural cosmetics or fair-trade.
Operators wishing to be certified by IMO for 2008 must act immediately; due to the long terms of notice from bio.inspecta the change has to be announced until 30th of June 2007.
>> Download press release in German
(25.05.2007 sa/ih)

The NOP has made an announcement on May 2nd 2007 that additional rulemaking is necessary regarding the issue with ICS certification under NOP. More information...
(09.05.2007 fd/ih)

The revision process of the EUREPGAP Integrated Farm Assurance Standard Version 3.0-Me07 has been finalised and this new version is available on the EUREPGAP website at http://www.eurepgap.org. More information on IMO and EUREPGAP...
(07.05.2007 ue/ih)