IOAS is rooted in agriculture and especially in organic and sustainable agriculture and related areas. All organic agriculture standards address primary production of crops and livestock including bee keeping but also set down requirements for handling, processing and may include demands on environmental management, inputs, chain of custody and social justice. Regenerative agriculture standards vary in their scope, may be based on organic standards but usually emphasize minimal tillage, carbon capture and social issues.
IOAS is an expert in assessment and accreditation body in this field.
We monitor and accredit certification bodies in the following schemes:
European Recognition Scheme
Certification bodies wishing to provide the service of export of organic products into the European Union must be formally recognised by the EU Organic Unit of DG AGRI. IOAS is actively engaged in assessing certification bodies for compliance with the Regulation (EU) 2018/848, ensuring that they meet the updated standards for organic production and labelling within the European Union. IOAS is the main oversight body for certification bodies outside the EU.
Canada Organic Regime (COR)
IOAS ensures that certification bodies comply with the stringent standards set by the Canada Organic Regime (COR) through our thorough assessment and monitoring processes. This collaboration with Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) helps maintain the integrity and reliability of organic certifications within Canada and for imports into the country. IOAS works as a Conformity Verification Body (CVB) providing assessment of CBs which is the basis issuing an accreditation.
GlobalG.A.P.
IOAS provides oversight for certification bodies accredited to the GlobalG.A.P. standard, ensuring they meet rigorous requirements for good agricultural practices. This oversight helps maintain the integrity and credibility of Global G.A.P. certifications, promoting sustainable and safe farming practices worldwide.
IFOAM Organics International
IOAS accredits certification bodies against IFOAM Organics International standards by thoroughly evaluating compliance with IFOAM’s principles for organic production, processing, and trade. This process includes detailed reviews of procedures, documentation and on-site operations.
Freshcare Standards
IOAS accredits certification bodies against Freshcare standards, an Australian-owned and operated company providing internationally recognised assurance standards for the fresh produce and wine grape industries. Freshcare standards help Australian producers demonstrate their capacity to grow, pack, and distribute safe, sustainable, quality produce for customers and consumers worldwide.
Australia - National Standard for Organic and Bio-Dynamic Produce
IOAS provides accreditation for certification bodies against the Australia National Standard for Organic and Bio-Dynamic produce. This standard is Australia’s technical export standard for organic and bio-dynamic goods. The National Standard is owned and managed by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and provides the basis for equivalence (government-to-government) arrangements with trading partners.
Chilean National Certification System for Organic Agricultural Products
(Sistema Nacional de Certificación de Productos Orgánicos Agrícolas)
The Chilean Law 20.089 – National System for Certification or Organic Agricultural Products established the requirements for marketing products represented as organic, ecologic or biologic. Through accreditation by IOAS, certification bodies can be registered with the Chilean National System of Organic Certification of the Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG).
Mexican Regulation for the Operation of Organic Agriculture Activities
IOAS has worked with the Mexican authorities since before the implementation of the Ley de Productos Orgánicos and today provides accreditation for certification bodies with activities inside Mexico in order to gain recognition by SENASICA (Servicio Nacional de Sanidad, Inocuidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria)
Peruvian Regulation for Organic Products
IOAS works with certification bodies to provide accreditation according to the Peruvian law ‘Ley de Promoción de la Producción Orgánica o Ecológica y el Decreto Supremo N° 002-2020-MINAGRI’. This is the basis for recognition by the national authority SENASA (Servicio Nacional de Sanidad Agraria del Perú).
United States Canada Organic Equivalence Arrangement (USCOEA)
The United States Canada Organic Equivalence Arrangement (USCOEA) recognizes the two national organic systems as equivalent. Agricultural products certified in accordance with the terms of the USCOEA are eligible for sale as organic in both countries. The product being traded under this arrangement does not have to originate within either country.
United Kingdom Canada Organic Equivalence Arrangement (UKCOEA)
This equivalence arrangement covers organic agricultural products of UK or Canadian origin and means that organic products certified under the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) Canada Organic Regime or UK organic system may be sold and labelled as organic in both Canada and the UK. As long as the product is certified by a CFIA-accredited certification body (CB) in Canada or by a UK-approved control body, this recognition eliminates the need for UK organic agricultural products to have a separate certification to the Canadian standards and vice versa.
To find out more about our range of assurance services in the Agriculture Sector, please email us at enquiry@ioas.org