Enhancing Organic Integrity

Enhancing Organic Integrity Check Organic The Global Organic Integrity Platform

Verification the easy way A real-time worldwide source of certification data. An information hub for increasing transparency and organic integrity along the supply chain. Check Organic complements organic certification schemes, as well as companies sourcing and quality assurance systems. 2

ENHANCING GLOBAL INTEGRITY Check Organic is an internet-based data platform for publishing global certification information and related services. is an online tool for verifying certification data globally, in real-time and along the supply chain. Makes accurate and reliable certification data from participating certification bodies accessible and fully searchable. offers additional and individual services for verifying and connecting data according to the users needs, such as certification status, products, volumes, operations, responsible certifier, etc. 3

History I: pre-regulation (before 1991) Organic farmers associations defined standards and introduced verification systems implemented by: Farmer by farmer (social control by neighbours and village) Consultants Consumers buying off farm (social control) First external inspections targeting about 10% of operators complementing the above 4

History II: regulatory definition (1991 to date) Regulations define standards and inspection/certification system (process certification) First phase: every operator involved in the product chain has to be inspected/certified; import conformity Second phase: definition of risk assessment, residue analyses, and other more detailed rules; import conformity and equivalence 5

Future: regulatory definition Process inspection/certification will be complemented by product inspection/certification Increased mandatory risk assessment Increased mandatory residue analyses Import compliance and equivalence EU (under discussion): definition by food and inspection regulations with exemptions where necessary for organic Production and manufacturing standards with less/no exemptions and transitional rules 6

No fraud as result of this tightening up? The organic surveillance and certification system is comprehensively regulated but is weak when it comes to preventing and detecting fraud. Lack of integrity tools is a permanent source for fraud Today s trading relies on paper or PDF certificates which are sent prior to a physical movement of a product or signing of a trading contract. There is no possibility for the buyer to verify whether or not the certificate is valid at this very moment. Has it been withdrawn recently? Is the product covered by the scope of the certificate? Has the quantity already been sold to another buyer? 7

Benefits for traders/processors Check Organic will mitigate corporate risk through enhanced product verification. Accurate, up-to-date certification data is available in real-time from certification bodies databases, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, independent of office hours and time zone. Access to basic certification data is quick and easy, with more details available for registered users. Compliance is enhanced you will be prepared for audits and reporting requirements any time. Data networking and individual services, e.g. batch traceability, are easy when your ERP is connected to Check Organic. 8

Benefits for traders/processors Save time and money. Make use of Check Organic s individual services to establish individual value chains. Replace your current supplier certificate file systems with Check Organic online data verification. Receive automated information alerting you to relevant changes in your supply chain. Save time and hence reduce costs with a mouse click verification of real-time certification data. 9

Benefits for Certification Bodies Check Organic will strengthen your reputation and relevance, and offers remuneration. Data can be published free of charge and without increasing your running costs! Certification data is available at first hand in real-time. Illicit alterations to certificates are impossible. Operators data can be found and validated online at any time. Check Organic can be used to publish your certification data, a requirement that is already or will be mandatory in the future. You receive remuneration when your certification date is verified by others. 10

Benefits for Certification Bodies Online verification of certification data is quick and easy. Certificates of any third party can be verified at any time globally, e.g. by inspectors during an audit. All certification data needed can be viewed and printed from the online source no more faxing, emailing or copying paper certificates. Rely on simple and safe data handling. Data transfer is simple and supported by Check Organic tools according to your infrastructure, e.g. web service, web form, import files. The accessibility of confidential business information depends on user authorisation you maintain full ownership and control of all sensitive data. 11

Send, receive and view data 12

Data exchange on international HS codes 13

Services for different levels and users 15

www.checkorganic.com 16

Supply Chain Mapping Dashboard 21

Different levels on each supply chain Figues Hazelnuts Almonds Apricots 22

Supply Chain Mapping 23

Exploring the details Suppliers, Clients, Monitoring list 24

Please contact us: Gerald A. Herrmann g.herrmann@organic-services.com Frank Gerriets f.gerriets@organic-services.com Find more details at www.check-organic.com 25