Presentation from Marg Will, CEO of www.organicsystemsandsolutions.com

1. Marg Will
CEO
Organic Systems & Solutions

2. • Ever increasing – not just food, but cosmetics, textiles and
production aids
• Consumer expectations of Organic
Free from pesticides and synthetic chemicals
Produced in a more environmentally sustainable way
Animals are treated humanely
Products are healthier and tastier
Free from artificial food additives
Control over the choices they make
(Choice 2010)

3. Codex Alimentarius – Food & Agriculture Organization of
the United Nations
“Organic” is a labelling term that denotes products that have
been produced in accordance with organic production standards
and certified by a duly constituted certification body or authority.
Organic agriculture is based on minimising the use of external
inputs, avoiding the use of synthetic fertilisers and pesticides.
Organic agriculture practices cannot ensure that products are
completely free of residues, due to general environmental
pollution. However, methods are used to minimise pollution of air,
soil & water. Organic food handlers, processors and retailers
adhere to standards to maintain the integrity of organic
agriculture products. The primary goal of organic agriculture is to
optimise the health and productivity of interdependent
communities of soil life, plants, animals & people.”

4. • Growing marketplace
Value in USA has increased from
$US3.6 billion in 1997 to $US29
billion in 2010 (OTA 2011 Industry Survey)
• LOHAS

6. • Government Requirement
• Customer assurance
• In 2010, the Australian consumer market for healthy, sustainable and ethical
products will be at least $AUS 22billion BUT 88% don’t trust health and
environmental claims. (Mobium Group 2008)
• In Australia, 84% are concerned about the impact of their choices on the
environment BUT only 13% had purchased a product because if its
environmental credentials and 80% were concerned about lack of
information. (AFGC 2010)
• Use of recognised logo(s)
• Validation of system

7. • 2 distinct categories of organic certification – government &
private
• Major Government schemes
• EU Regulation
• USDA NOP
• JAS MAFF
• Korea
• Australia – National Standards

8. Codex / WTO
Australian
Government
DAFF / AQIS
Current as of 10th April 2012

9. • Private Certification
• ECOCERT
• SGS
• Soil Association
• Oregon Tilth (OTCO)
• Australian Certified Organic (ACO)
• Organic Food Chain (OFC)

10. • Compliance to an Organic Standard
• An Organic Management Plan
• What are you going to do?
• How are you going to do it?
• How will you ensure integrity through the process?
• Annual Audit / inspection

11. “An organic production or handling system plan must include:
(1) A description of practices and procedures to be performed and maintained, including the frequency with
which they will be performed;
(2) A list of each substance to be used as a production or handling input, indicating its composition, source,
location(s) where it will be used, and documentation of commercial availability, as applicable;
(3) A description of the monitoring practices and procedures to be performed and maintained, including the
frequency with which they will be performed, to verify that the plan is effectively implemented;
(4) A description of the recordkeeping system implemented to comply with the requirements established in
§205.103;
(5) A description of the management practices and physical barriers established to prevent commingling of
organic and nonorganic products on a split operation and to prevent contact of organic production and
handling operations and products with prohibited substances; and
(6) Additional information deemed necessary by the certifying agent to evaluate compliance with the
regulations.
(b) A producer may substitute a plan prepared to meet the requirements of another Federal, State, or local
government regulatory program for the organic system plan: Provided, That, the submitted plan meets all
the requirements of this subpart.”
(USDA NOP Regulations 205.201)

12. • Documented Quality Assurance System
• Knowledge of legislative requirements
• Training is vital

13. www.organicsystemsandsolutions.com
marg@organicsystemsandsolutions.com

14. AFRIS. AsianFoodRegulationInformationService.
We have the largest database of Asian food regulations in the world and it’s
FREE to use.
We publish a range of communication services, list a very large number of
food events and online educational webinars and continue to grow our Digital
Library.
We look forward to hearing from you soon!
www.asianfoodreg.com
adrienna@asianfoodreg.com