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Certification / Approval procedures
A producer of a farm input requests an IMO certification/approval. In order to clarify whether the products comply with the IMO certification/approval system, he will be asked to submit specifications or technical data sheets of the product. In case the information contained in the specification, IMO can provide standard forms for the application for certification/approval of farm inputs. Of course this information will be treated confidential. Additionally, IMO can provide the operator with a written confidentiality agreement.
IMO offers two procedures for the certification/approval of farm inputs. According to the type of input, certification/approval can be based on documents only or may afford a physical inspection. Please contact the IMO office to see which procedure applies for the input you want to be certified/approved.
Based on this previous evaluation on possible certifiability or approval, the operator is informed and a cost estimation based on the IMO fees for certification/approval will be provided. After the written approval of this cost estimation by the operator and after the prepayment has been realized, the date of inspection is agreed upon with the operator if deemed necessary or in case of a certification/approval on the base of documents only, the evaluation procedure will begin.
In case of an on-site inspection, the control requirements are analogous to those outlined in the applicable set of standards. The overall aim of the inspection is to verify whether the requirements outlined in the standards are duly complied with. Samples might be taken for pesticide analysis or any other residue as well as to determine any nutrient or active ingredient content in the farm input.
Based on all information contained in the profile and all other necessary documents duly filled in by the operator and the inspection report written by the inspector, operation descriptions, handling plans or any other document provided during the inspection, the results of the on-site inspection as well the results of conducted analysis and possible third party information, it is finally evaluated whether the procedures and activities of the applicant are in compliance with the requirements as defined in the relevant standards.
In case of certification/approval on the base of documents it will be evaluated whether the input is produced in compliance with the respective standard. Samples might be analysed for pesticide analysis or any other residue as well as to determine any nutrient or active ingredient content in the farm input. The decision for certification/approval is taken on the base of the profile and all additional documents requested for the evaluation process and any other additional information available.
IMO offers two procedures for the certification/approval of farm inputs. According to the type of input, certification/approval can be based on documents only or may afford a physical inspection. Please contact the IMO office to see which procedure applies for the input you want to be certified/approved.
Based on this previous evaluation on possible certifiability or approval, the operator is informed and a cost estimation based on the IMO fees for certification/approval will be provided. After the written approval of this cost estimation by the operator and after the prepayment has been realized, the date of inspection is agreed upon with the operator if deemed necessary or in case of a certification/approval on the base of documents only, the evaluation procedure will begin.
In case of an on-site inspection, the control requirements are analogous to those outlined in the applicable set of standards. The overall aim of the inspection is to verify whether the requirements outlined in the standards are duly complied with. Samples might be taken for pesticide analysis or any other residue as well as to determine any nutrient or active ingredient content in the farm input.
Based on all information contained in the profile and all other necessary documents duly filled in by the operator and the inspection report written by the inspector, operation descriptions, handling plans or any other document provided during the inspection, the results of the on-site inspection as well the results of conducted analysis and possible third party information, it is finally evaluated whether the procedures and activities of the applicant are in compliance with the requirements as defined in the relevant standards.
In case of certification/approval on the base of documents it will be evaluated whether the input is produced in compliance with the respective standard. Samples might be analysed for pesticide analysis or any other residue as well as to determine any nutrient or active ingredient content in the farm input. The decision for certification/approval is taken on the base of the profile and all additional documents requested for the evaluation process and any other additional information available.
Regulation (EU) NR. 834/2007 and 889/2008
The central pillars of the certification system are the clarification whether the product corresponds to the Regulation (EU) 834/2007 and 889/2008 and if deemed necessary and indicated by the type of input an annual physical inspection of the production unit and the information provided about the input, the evaluation by an expert of IMO as well as the certification by the certification committee.
If the activities are found to be in compliance with the exception of minor shortcomings certification of the farm input for the use in organic agriculture analogous to Regulation (EU) 834/2007 and 889/2008 will be granted. Requirements may be included for the correction of the stated minor non-conformities within a set period of time.
The certification has to be renewed annually.
The farm input produced analogous to the Regulation (EU) 834/2007 and 889/2008 may be labelled as "Approved for the use in organic agriculture acc. to Reg. (EU) 834/2007 and 889/2008" and the logo of IMO might be used on the label but not the code number SCESp 004.
If the activities are found to be in compliance with the exception of minor shortcomings certification of the farm input for the use in organic agriculture analogous to Regulation (EU) 834/2007 and 889/2008 will be granted. Requirements may be included for the correction of the stated minor non-conformities within a set period of time.
The certification has to be renewed annually.
The farm input produced analogous to the Regulation (EU) 834/2007 and 889/2008 may be labelled as "Approved for the use in organic agriculture acc. to Reg. (EU) 834/2007 and 889/2008" and the logo of IMO might be used on the label but not the code number SCESp 004.
NOP
The central pillars of the approval system are the verification whether the product corresponds to the Subpart G of the National Organic Program (NOP), if deemed necessary and indicated by the type of input an annual physical inspection of the production unit, the evaluation by an expert of IMO and approval by the certification committee.
If the activities are found to be in compliance with exception of minor shortcomings certification of the off farm input for the use in organic agriculture according to the US National Organic Program (NOP) will be granted. Requirements may be included for the correction of the stated minor non-conformities within a set period of time period.
The formulation of an input must fulfil the following minimum requirements:
The off farm input may be labelled as "Approved for the use in organic agriculture acc. to NOP" and the logo of IMO might be indicated on the label as well.
If the activities are found to be in compliance with exception of minor shortcomings certification of the off farm input for the use in organic agriculture according to the US National Organic Program (NOP) will be granted. Requirements may be included for the correction of the stated minor non-conformities within a set period of time period.
The formulation of an input must fulfil the following minimum requirements:
- Active ingredients: must be listed on the National List (§ 205.601)
- Inert ingredients: must be listed on EPA list 4A or 4B or also on list 3 in case of passive pheromone dispensers
The off farm input may be labelled as "Approved for the use in organic agriculture acc. to NOP" and the logo of IMO might be indicated on the label as well.
JAS
The central pillars of the approval system are the clarification whether the product corresponds to the Japanese Agricultural Standard of Organic Agricultural Products (JAS) and if deemed necessary and indicated by the type of input an annual physical inspection of the production unit, the evaluation by an expert of IMO and approval by the certification committee.
If the activities are found to be in compliance with exception of minor shortcomings certification of the farm input for the use in organic agriculture according to the Notification 1605 for organic agricultural products and 1606 for organic processed foods related to the Japanese Agricultural Standard of Organic Agricultural Products (JAS) will be granted.
This approval has to be renewed annually.
The off farm input may be labelled as "Approved for the use in organic agriculture acc. to JAS" and the logo of IMO or the JAS seal might be indicated on the label but not the registration number of IMO at MAFF.
If the activities are found to be in compliance with exception of minor shortcomings certification of the farm input for the use in organic agriculture according to the Notification 1605 for organic agricultural products and 1606 for organic processed foods related to the Japanese Agricultural Standard of Organic Agricultural Products (JAS) will be granted.
This approval has to be renewed annually.
The off farm input may be labelled as "Approved for the use in organic agriculture acc. to JAS" and the logo of IMO or the JAS seal might be indicated on the label but not the registration number of IMO at MAFF.
