Certified Organic Food
Any grower can claim that they use sustainable, organic, “chemical free”, “spray free” methods when producing their crops. There is no legislation in Australia to govern the accuracy of these claims and the buyer is not often in a position to research the grower's practices. However selling produce said to be grown organically is becoming more difficult without being able to prove these claims. Organic certification by an independent third party is currently the best way to verify claims of organic produce throughout the growing, delivery, processing and retailing. This article sets out the steps to organic certification for any one interested in commercial organic production.
Research
There are currently seven organisations in Australia who are accredited to certify organic produce. It is really up to the individual to research which organisation best meets their needs. Things to look for include fees (watch for hidden ones like travel costs, extra hours spent on site, membership), the acceptability of the certifying organisation in the marketplace, and performance of that organisation as related by growers already using the service.
All seven certifying organisations audit to Australian Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce (AS6000) which is lodged with Standards Australia (AS6000 can be found at https://infostore.saiglobal.com/store). Some of the larger certifiers have developed their own standards which are more detailed and sometimes have requirements above the national standard.

Read the Standards/ Approach the certifying organisation
It is important to read the Australian Standard and any other standard for the certifying body that you are thinking of becoming certified with. These standards set out the minimum requirements and there is no point applying if your operation cannot work towards meeting them.
This is a good time to start your relationship with the certifying organisation. Contact them and ask any questions that arise, discuss any problems you think you will have meeting the standards.

Application
The process of application for organic certification is usually started by filling out a questionnaire detailing your operation. The day this completed application reaches the office of the certifying organisation (together with payment of your initial fees) is usually the day your contractual relationship with that organisation starts.

Pre-certification
Under the Australian Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce a minimum time frame for moving into organic certification is defined.
The first year is known as the pre-certification year. During this year you have made a commitment to work to the standards of the certifying organisation but you cannot yet use their name or marketing logo/s to sell your produce.

First Inspection
Once your application and fees have been processed by the certifying organisation an inspector will be allocated to visit your operation.
The inspector/auditor is given all information you have provided. They will contact you and visit at a mutually convenient time to observe all aspects of your operation. The inspector will look at activities, crops, animals, equipment, storage and neighbouring activities to verify that the operation has the ability to meet the standard. Record keeping is a particularly important part of these inspections as that verifies your practices and sales for the full year. All certified licensees are required to keep a record of on-farm/processing activities. At the initial inspection a soil test will be taken to ascertain if there are any chemical residues present in the soil.
The inspector writes a report based on the inspection and sends that to the certifying organisation along with any maps, packaging and label samples or other relevant documents.

Inspection Review Committee
All information gathered by the organisation and the inspector (including soil test results) is put before the certifying body’s inspection reviewers who finalise the process by making recommendations based on the information received.
If all is deemed acceptable a contract for Pre-certification is offered. This contract will usually include conditions that must be met by the next inspection.

Reinspection
A second inspection will take place at around twelve months after the initial inspection. The inspector will look again at practices and record keeping, and may take a tissue sample if the initial soil test showed any residual chemicals in the soil.
Again the certifying body’s reviewers will make recommendations based on all information received. If all is deemed to be acceptable you will be offered a contract with the certifying organisation including the use of their logo and will enter the In Conversion period.

Annual reinspection
It is not until the third year that you may achieve full certification. This process cannot be shortened and the certifying organisation may extend the In Conversion period if they feel it necessary. Reinspections will occur yearly and contract conditions raised after any inspection will direct the grower towards compliance with the standard.

Appeal
Written appeal can be made if the licensee is unhappy with any decision made in regard to their certification. A condition of the contract is that an inspector/auditor may enter the property at any time if requested by the certifying body.

Markets
It may seem a long process to achieve full certification but a fully sustainable system is not achieved overnight. The Australian Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce is set for the benefit of all licensees as well as wholesalers, retailers and consumers.
Once you achieve organic certification a growing range of markets will be open to you, from local retail outlets, Perth and interstate wholesaler, processors and exporters who only deal in certified produce.
A current list of organisations accredited to carry out organic certification and other information the Organic industry can be found at www.ofa.org.au 
Kathe Purvis
Independent Organic Inspector
Updated 17.07.2010