Scheme owner
The IOAS is a specialist accreditation and assessment body focusing its efforts to build sustainable futures for people and the planet. We therefore offer assessment and accreditation of certification bodies applying a standard which complements and does not contradict the IOAS mission. This means that the IOAS is open to applications that involve organic and sustainable agriculture, environmental protection, social justice, fair trade and related themes. We are currently accrediting certification bodies for the following standards and regulations:
- European Union Recognition Scheme (for countries outside of the EU)
- National Standard for Organic and Bio-Dynamic Produce- Australia
- Ley Nº 20.089 Sistema Nacional de Certificación de Productos Orgánicos Agrícolas de Chile – Chilean National Certification System for Organic Agricultural Products
- Ley de Productos Orgánicos (LPO) – Mexican Regulation for the Operation of Organic Agriculture Activities
- Reglamento Técnico para Productos Orgánicos y Reglamento de Certificación y Fiscalización de la Producción Orgánica – Peruvian Regulation for Organic Products
- Global.G.A.P.
and to private certification body standards with activity in the following areas:
- Organic and natural cosmetics
- Ingredients for organic and natural cosmetics
- Organic textiles
- Inputs for organic textiles
- Natural detergents & cleaners
- Animal welfare
- No child labour in rug making
The IOAS are willing to consider other sectors and we invite certification bodies or scheme owners to consult with us. A decision to proceed or not may require considerable study and ultimately consultation with the IOAS Board of Directors. Nevertheless we are happy to receive requests of this nature and to discuss your requirements.
Scheme Requirements
The requirement for accreditation of product certification is normally assessment against ISO/IEC 17065 plus any additional sector requirements that may have been described by the scheme owner or the certification body itself. Some scheme owners have however opted to develop their own requirements or based them on the International Requirements for Organic Certification Bodies where this seems more relevant. The IOAS may not accept an application if, in its view, there is a lack of sector specific requirements that result in a lack of credibility of the certification.
The application from the certification body must designate and supply the standard against which the products will be accredited and the specific scope categories that are being applied for. These details will define the scope of the accreditation which will be made clear in the accreditation certificate we issue and in any public statement.
Depending on the scheme/standard owner, there might be additional application requirements, such as prior application to the scheme owner. Once the IOAS have agreed that the proposed standard is in the scope of IOAS work, the first step to accreditation is to complete the general IOAS application form (please see related documents section to the left of this information).
The IOAS ISO/IEC 17065 Operating Manual provides full guidance on implementation of this scheme.
IOAS Accredited Certification Bodies may use the IAF-MLA Mark in combination with the IOAS accreditation symbol on certificates for MLA-subscopes for the ISO/IEC 17065 GLOBALG.A.P. IFA. Those ISO/IEC 17065 accredited without the MLA subscope may use the combined Mark but not on certificates.
The IOAS is a IAF MLA signatory and accreditations granted by IAF MLA signatories are recognised worldwide based on their equivalent accreditation programs. Mutual recognition of accredited certification in many markets reduces costs and adds value to business.
Businesses will be able to see at a glance that the certificate is accredited by an accreditation body that is a signatory to the IAF MLA.
