Research Overview over Certification Agencies

1. UTZ Certified
UTZ CERTIFIED is responsible for creating an open and transparent marketplace for agricultural products. In just over five years UTZ CERTIFIED has grown to be one of the leading coffee certification programs worldwide, and is now expanding to become a multi-commodity program. UTZ CERTIFIED's vision is to achieve sustainable agricultural supply chains, that meet the growing needs and expectations of farmers, the food industry and consumers alike.

http://www.utzcertified.org/
Amsterdam/ The Netherlands



2. Demeter
Demeter is the only ecological association that has built up a network of individual certification organisations world-wide. In 1997 Demeter-International was founded for closer co-operation in the legal, economic and spiritual spheres. Presently Demeter International has 16 members from Demeter organisations from Europe, America, Africa and New Zealand. Thus Demeter-International represents around 4.200 Demeter producers in 43 countries

http://www.demeter.net/
Driebergen/ The Netherlands




3. EKO (Skal) Netherlands

Every organic company in the Netherland is controlled by Skal. This control organisation makes sure that the organic company fullfil the EKO-requirements. There are 2800 companies which are certified through Skal.

http://www.eko-keurmerk.nl/
Zwolle/ The Netherlands



4. Max Havelaar/Fair Trade

Max Havelaar exists since 1988. It is a certification agency which offers the opportunity for consumers and companies to support small producers in developing countries. The aim is to acquire a better position in the trade chain for small producers.

http://www.maxhavelaar.nl/keurmerk/overhetkeurmerk
Utrecht/ The Netherlands



5. AB Agriculture Biologique Certifie ( France and EU)
France's national logo for organic products. Organic products carrying the logo must contain more than 95 percent organic components, and be produced or processed within the EU, and were certified by one of the inspection bodies accredited according to EN 45011.

Montreuil-Sous-Bois/France


6. Soil Association Organic Standard (UK and International)

The Soil Association organic standards cover both the EC regulations and the Compendium of UK Organic Standards. In many cases our standards are more robust than those set by EU regulations - in fact, no system of farming has higher levels of animal welfare standards than organic farms working to our standards.
If applying from outside the UK, your action summary form will be sent from your allocated certification officer.
Soil Association organic standards certifies also textiles, health and beauty.


http://www.soilassociation.org/Whatwedo/tabid/58/Default.aspx
Bristol/ United Kingdom


7. Sustainable Agricultural Network (SAN, Rainforest Alliance)
The SAN awards the Rainforest Alliance Certified eco-label to farms (not companies or products). Farmers may apply for certification for all land in production and companies may request that all of their source farms be certified.
Certifies farms for coffee, bananas, cocoa, orange, pineapple, flower and fern farms according to environmental and social standards.
Some smaller crops, often grown in association with these commodities, are also certified, including macadamia nuts, passion fruit and plantains.

http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/programs/agriculture/certification/
New York/ USA


8. USDA (United States Department of Agriculture)

The National Organic Program (NOP) develops, implements, and administers national production, handling, and labeling standards for organic agricultural products. The NOP also accredits the certifying agents (foreign and domestic) who inspect organic production and handling operations to certify that they meet USDA standards.

http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/NOPUSA


9. OCIA International

OCIA International is one of the world's oldest, largest and most trusted leaders in the organic certification industry. A nonprofit, member-owned, agricultural organization, OCIA is dedicated to providing the highest quality organic certification services and access to global organic markets.

http://www.ocia.org/NewStandards.pdf
Lincoln/ USA