lf such internal control system is successfully implemented, the main task of the external certification body and its Inspector is to evaluate the proper functioning of the ICS. The external inspector visits the project once a year to carry out an audit of the internal control system and includes a certain percentage of spot checks of farms to ensure that the internal control system operates satisfactory. Annual sample inspection has to be appropriate to the size of the group, operations and risk of non-compliance. The evaluation of the ICS assesses the extent of competency of the internal control body and whether it can maintain the organic integrity of the whole operation. The re-inspection rate is based on review of documentation and on risk assessment and differs between 10 to 30 percent. This number is still handled different by different certifiers and import authorization bodies in different countries. In most cases we would recommend a number of at least 20 %.

ATTENTION! The group has ONE certificate this stresses high responsibility! In case of non-compliance to the standards or non-functioning if the ICS the entire group is in danger of do-certification!

Certification should be an enabling mechanism rather than a technical barrier to market access and trade. A functional ICS together with an annual inspection/evaluation by a third party certification body, offers a distinguished organic guarantee system. The scheme offers two levels of control as opposed to one. both levels have different perspectives and competencies. Such scheme also encourages group organisation, which enhances the overall capacity of individual members to institute and further develop good management practices.