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Gunnar Rundgren (2007) Cooperation in Conformity Assessment for Certification Decisions and Import Approvals

Report,
International Task Force on Harmonisation and Equivalence in Organic Agriculture

Document:
ITF_rundgren.pdf

Abstract
The working together of certification bodies is a difficult issue and this was also identified by the IOAS as the most problematic issue when it comes to compliance to IFOAM criteria. Lack of cooperation and mutual recognition between CB’s is also repeatedly identified as an obstacle for market access as well as something that makes the control systems less reliable. To find models for this cooperation will benefit both organic operators and consumers alike. Ultimately, government can get a better system for less cost if building on it.

Keywords: Accreditation, certification body, organic, cooperation

Relevance to our study:
This paper proposes two mechanism identified by ITF in order to facilitate market access of organic products: - Right of certification bodies to delegate certification decisions- Giving certification bodies right to approve imports under import regulation regimesThe cooperation between certification bodies is another way to reduce costs for operators that currently face with multiple certification or costly re-.certification procedures

Relevancy on a scale from 1 to 5 = 5

Review status: Finished
Review started on 2009–05–14
Reviewed by Lorenzo Paluan - ICEA?

Comments: