What is organic?

‘Organic’ is a term used for foods, herbs and other products that are grown, processed and produced in a natural way, in tune with nature and without the use of synthetic chemicals.

That means when you consume an organic product it has:
• No synthetic pesticides
• No synthetic herbicides
• No preservatives or additives
• No Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO’s or GE)
• No Irradiation

What is certified organic products?

Certified organic products are those whose production, processing, handling and marketing have been verified by a certification body as being in conformity with specified organic standards. Once a product is certified organic, the product can be labeled as organic.

What is organic farming?

Several national governments and a multitude of private certification and farmer organizations have defined organic agriculture. In the past, differences in these definitions were significant, but the demand for consistency by the trade has led to greater uniformity. According to the definition of the Codex Alimentarius, "organic agriculture is a holistic production management system which promotes and enhances agro-ecosystem health, including biodiversity, biological cycles and soil biological activity. It emphasizes the use of management practices in preference to the use of off-farm inputs, taking into account that regional conditions require locally adapted systems. This is accomplished by using, where possible, agronomic, biological and mechanical methods, as opposed to using synthetic materials, to fulfil any specific function within the system." Products labelled as "organic" are those certified as having been produced according to clearly defined organic production standards, for instance formulated in regulations.

What is the difference between organic and other kinds of farming?

A main difference between organic and other kinds of agriculture is that organic farming is a holistic production management system, aiming at maintaining or enhancing soil fertility and biological activity. Organic farming is based on locally adapted management practices in preference to the use of off-farm inputs or no management at all. In comparison with many other environmentally-friendly farming systems, organic farming differs in the sense that standards and certification systems are very well developed and internationally widespread.

What is certification of organic products?

Broadly, the certification process may be split into two parts: inspection (or control) to verify that production and handling are carried out in accordance with the standards against which certification is to be done; and certification to confirm that production and handling conforms to those standards. Certification procedures for the certification of organic products should make it possible to track and control the flow of products from primary production at farm level through each stage of manufacturing right to the final consumer product. Producers and exporters will have to obtain certification against organic standards applicable in those markets, in which they intend to sell their products with an indication that they are organic.

What is certification needed?

Certification is needed in order to ensure that products labeled as “organic” are produced and handled in accordance with specified organic standards. In other words, certification creates trust in organic labeling and promotes fair competition in the market place.

Eligibility for labeling our product "ORGANIC" in the Japan?

According to the Japan Agriculture Standard (JAS) regulations for product labeling all products labeled as organic must be certified by a Registered Certification Organization (RCO) and must display the JAS logo, as well as the RCO's name. RCOs are required to be accredited by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forest (MAFF).

Eligibility for labeling our product "ORGANIC" in the United States?

For certification of organic products to be exported to the United States, the exporter has three certification options: 1) US certification bodies operating in foreign countries may apply for USDA accreditation. Foreign applicants will be evaluated based on the same criteria as domestic certification bodies. In lieu of USDA accreditation, a foreign certification body may: 2) Receive recognition when USDA has determined, upon request of a foreign government, that the foreign certification body's government authority is able to assess and accredit certification bodies as meeting the requirements of the National Organic Standard; or 3) Receive recognition as meeting requirements equivalent to the requirements of the NOS under an equivalency agreement negotiated between the United States and the foreign government. In practical terms, any group considering exporting organic products to the United States should identify a certification body that has or will receive United States certification approval. The United States based organizations with overseas offices will be able to certify all locations when they are approved by the USDA for organic certification.

Eligibility for labeling our product "ORGANIC" in the European Union?

Organic food products originating from non-EC countries may be imported and marketed in the EC with an organic label if it is accepted that the products are produced and certified according to procedures equivalent to those of the EC. In practice, two options provide authorization to export organic products to the EC: 1) When a third country has established and implemented organic standards, it may apply to the European Commission for inclusion into the EC List of Article 11. Known as the Article 11 list, countries on this list can export products certified by an approved domestic certification body to the EC without the need for additional certification or accreditation. Note: That this is valid only if the domestic certification body is specifically registered in the Article 11 list. Each consignment should be accompanied by a document certifying that standards and certification measures are equivalent to those applicable in the EC. 2) If the exporting country is not on the Article 11 list, the exporter should ask its importer in the EC country to apply for an individual permit for import. An individual EC member state may authorize an importer to import products from a country not on the Article 11 list. Under this provision, the importer should apply to the designated authorities in the EC member country for an import permission and the application should be accompanied by documentation on the equivalence of standards and control measures. The producer and the exporter will have to be certified in accordance with EC procedures, which has to be done in co-operation with an accredited certification body. Import permits are issued for a certain amount of specific products from specified countries. They are valid for defined periods. They are granted to specific importers and valid only for those importers for import entry into those importers’ country. Once imported into an EC member country, the products may be marketed freely within the EC. In general, the criteria for granting the import permit are shifting away from evaluation at the production level towards approval of the certification arrangements, including the certification bodies. In order to ensure equivalence in the effectiveness of inspection and certification measures, third-country certification bodies must satisfy the requirements of standards EN 45011 or ISO/IEC Guide 65:1996.

Eligibility for labeling our product "ORGANIC" in the India?

An agricultural product will be allowed to be exported as “organic product” only if it is Produced, Processed and packed under a valid Organic certificate issued by a certifying agency duly accredited by the national steering committee for organic product (NSCOP) set up by the Ministry of commerce & Industry (Department of commerce). The committee will function as the national Accreditation Body for the Purpose of accreditation of inspection and certification agencies.”
The inspection and certification agencies accredited till date by APEDA, spices Board, coffee Board and Tea Board Shall be Deemed to have been accredited by the NSCOP and will be under the control of National Accreditation Body for the Purposes of accreditation of inspection and certification agencies for organic product.

Eligibility for labeling our product "ORGANIC" in the Switzerland?

Internationally, organic standards vary as to their strictness. In order to ensure that the imported components of Bud products also comply with the strict Bio Suisse requirements, farmers and processors abroad must comply with the Bio Suisse Standards. Compliance is monitored by the Label Commission Import (LCI) on the basis of the inspection reports issued by the local inspection bodies. Bio Suisse awards selected trade and processing companies a licence to use the Bud label. Independent inspection services, such as bio-inspecta in Frick, monitor compliance with the Bud label regulations by carrying out regular inspections of farms and trade and processing companies. Bud-labelled products are carefully monitored organic products.