Management of Internal Control Systems (ICS) using the Group Certification Management Tool Mareike Brandt, Organic Services GmbH m.brandt@organic-services.com www.organic-services.com www.organic-services.com 1
Challenges for smallholders I Number of members Training of ICS manager and inspectors Risk of loosing expertise (staff) Completeness/comprehensibility of documentation: Tracking of crops and volumes Tracking of internal inspections Tracking of non-conformities Tracking of conflicts of interest www.organic-services.com 2
Challenges for smallholders II Risk of loosing or not being able to retrieve data Timeliness of data Managing multi-certification (organic, fair, Utz, etc.): Different standard requirements for production, processing and certification procedures Duplication of data collection www.organic-services.com 3
Development of Group Cer6fica6on Management Tool Public partner Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbh Private partner CERES - Certification of Environmental Standards GmbH (knowhow) Intact Consult GmbH (technology) Organic Services GmbH (strategy, management) In collaboration with IBD - Instituto Biodinâmico IMO - Institute for Marketecology Naturland - Verband für ökologischen Landbau e.v. Pilot tests in Latin America Global launch at BioFach 2013 www.organic-services.com 4
The solu6on: Group Cer6fica6on Management Tool Group Certification Management Tool è Facilitates the internal administration of groups through a database, checklists, reports, data export è Supports groups worldwide in the compliance with various standard requirements è Supports the organization of inspection and certification processes è Helps to minimize problems with the external control and certification www.organic-services.com 5
The solu6on: Group Cer6fica6on Management Tool Group Certification Management Tool 3 4 1 2 5 6 www.organic-services.com 6
Services and benefits Professional software based on Ecert, used globally by reputable certifiers No installation required, access via internet Annual update of the software + standards relevant to agriculture: Organic (EU, NOP, JAS, Naturland, Bio Suisse, Demeter) Fairtrade, UTZ Certified and GLOBALG.A.P. Multilingual interface Real-time traceability of all inspection and certification processes, including sanctions and deadlines www.organic-services.com 7
Training and support Training and support of the implementation partner Training and support of ICS officers and inspectors through the IP User manual in English and Spanish (other languages to follow) Video tutorials for using the software Helpdesk www.organic-services.com 8
Benefits for grower groups Provides complete and reliable administration and documentation of the ICS Reduces the effort required for the ICS and for the preparation of external controls Improves cooperation with the external certification body Lowers costs and increases likelihood of certification for the groups Facilitates market access Improves competitiveness of groups www.organic-services.com 9
Benefits for cer6fica6on bodies Availability of comprehensive and transparent documentation of the ICS Data is based on the latest information and is available in real time è Significantly increased certification integrity è Less rework for the certification body è Less risk è Lower costs www.organic-services.com 10
Benefits for processors/retailers Improved transparency and product integrity Early warnings of deviations, helping to improve product safety and product quality Reduces costs and efforts for data collection, follow-up, audits, sampling and analyses Lower risk Builds confidence among customers and strengthens the company s market position www.organic-services.com 11
To sum up ICS management is very challenging Organic Services offers Group Certification Management Tool to facilitate and improve ICS management Contributes to capacity building of ICS managers, inspectors and other users Based on deviations, training needs of farmers can be identified www.organic-services.com 12
Invita6on: Workshop Ecert Grower Group software administration, inspection & certification Tomorrow, Thursday 4 July 3:30-6:30 pm Mount Meru Room Everybody is welcome! www.organic-services.com 13
Further informa6on and contact Group Certification Management Tool Website www.group-certification.com Mr Frank Gerriets f.gerriets@organic-services.com, phone +49 89 820 759-04 cell +49 163 86 91 843 Ms Mareike Brandt m.brandt@organic-services.com, phone +49 89 820 759-03 www.organic-services.com 14