Welcome to this issue of the OGS Courier. A lot has happened since the last issue (May 2014). Not the least, the publication of the new IFOAM Norms, including the extensively revised IFOAM Accreditation Requirements. Those have undergone their most significant revision since 2005. In the 2014 version of the IFOAM Standard, you will also find a number of new requirements, particularly on social justice and protected cropping. We hope

that standard setters, organic scheme owners and regulators worldwide will get inspired by those new developments and take up some of the requirements into their own systems.

Various programs that need a reliable approach to identify trustworthy organic standards are increasingly turning to the IFOAM Family of Standards as a criterion for deciding which organic certification they will accept. The latest in doing so is NATRUE, the natural and organic cosmetic scheme. A bit earlier, following in the steps of BioFach, MENOPE, the

Middle East Natural & Organic Products Expo also began to use this approach. We trust that those will inspire other organic cosmetic schemes and other organic trade fairs to do the same.

Finally, looking into the future, IFOAM is preparing a new version of its organic aquaculture standard. An extensive discussion is currently taking place within the sector, in which IFOAM plays an important role. We hope that the outcomes of this discussion, once translated into a new standard, will be of inspiration to all organic aquaculture standards setters, and that it will foster a common understanding of what “organic” means, in terms of aquaculture.

The Publication of the IFOAM Organic Guarantee System | ogs@ifoam.org | www.ifoam.org/ogs |

The IFOAM NORMSfor Organic Productionand ProcessingVersion 2014

NORMS 2014

Includes:

Comon Objectives and Requirements of OrganicStandards (COROS) – IFOAM Standards Requirements

The IFOAM Standard for OrganicProduction and Processing

IFOAM Accreditation Requirements for BodiesCertifying Organic Production and Processing

NATRUE teams up with IFOAM

2014 IFOAM Norms published

Outcome of the aquaculture survey

MENOPE-IFOAM partnership

“In the 2014 version of the IFOAM Standard, you will also find a number of new requirements, particularly

on social justice and protected cropping.”

P2P2 P3 P3Responsible Editor:Joelle Katto-Andrighetto ogs@ifoam.org

Get Inspired

N° 19 - Aug 2014

Joelle Katto-AndrighettoValue Chain Manager

The OGS Courier

Guaranteeing Organic

The IFOAM Standard Committee is still working on the improvement of the aquaculture section of the IFOAM Standard, in preparation for the next version of the norm. The Committee collected inputs from the IFOAM membership and the general public through a broad public consultation running from May to July 2014. The consultation was entitled “How does the organic movement define what “organic” means for aquaculture?”. The public was encouraged to respond to a survey questionnaire containing questions related to the following issues: the acceptability of open water facilities and recirculating aquaculture systems, the need for a connection to natural ecosystems, feed, conversion, biodiversity requirements, migratory species, and chemical allopathic veterinary treatments.

IFOAM received answers to the questionnaire from 49 persons/organizations, from 25 different countries. Overall, the input was of very high quality, and many answers very extensive and well informed. Survey respondents will receive a report of the survey results.

The IFOAM Standard Committee will now process the results of this survey and feed them into the IFOAM Standard revision process. A workshop on organic aquaculture is also organized by IFOAM at the Organic World Congress in Istanbul in October, and will be the opportunity for any interested stakeholder to contribute to this debate in person.

IFOAM processes the outcome of the survey on aquaculture

NATRUE teams up with IFOAM for acceptance of organic raw materials

NATRUE is the International Natural and Organic Cosmetics Association and promotes authentic natural and organic cosmetics since October 2007. The NATRUE label sets a high standard of quality and integrity so people worldwide may enjoy natural cosmetics truly worthy of that name.

For two of its certification categories: “Natural Cosmetics with an Organic Portion” and “Organic Cosmetics”, NATRUE requires a minimum percentage (70% and 95% respectively) of organic ingredients. As NATRUE intended to create a global label, the definition of what qualifies a raw material to be considered as “organic” was technically challenging. Indeed, “organic” is regulated by dozens of different regulations and standards worldwide

To address this challenge, NATRUE has decided to adopt the IFOAM technical definition of what constitutes an accepted organic standard: that is, one that is approved under the IFOAM Family of Standards. Such standards have passed a rigorous assessment by IFOAM experts and demonstrated both their local relevance and their equivalence to the international Common Objectives and Requirements of Organic Standards (COROS). The IFOAM Family of Standards represents both the diversity and the unity of what is considered organic worldwide.

NATRUE has just updated its Label Criteria. The new version (2.9) of these requirements is now defining organic raw materials as those being certified by a duly recognized certification body or authority to an organic standard or regulation approved in the IFOAM Family of Standards.

IFOAM and NATRUE believe that these new criteria will benefit producers, traders and consumers, with an approach that combines inclusiveness and integrity. Producers certified to their local organic regulation or standard will now be able to supply NATRUE cosmetic manufacturers, provided that the local standard has been approved by IFOAM. This should ultimately favor the uptake of the NATRUE label globally and ensure its credibility towards consumers.

More information on the NATRUE requirements can be found here www.natrue.org

More information about the IFOAM Family of Standards can be found here:http://www.ifoam.org/en/ifoam-family-standards.

Technical criteria for organic products are based on the IFOAM Family of Standards

MENOPE, the Middle East Natural & Organic Products Expo, which takes place in Dubai every year, is the leading exhibition for organic and natural products in the Middle East and North Africa. Although this region is one of the world’s fastest growing markets for natural and organic products, most countries do not have a legal definition of what organic is. Thus, MENOPE is launching an organic logo, developed in partnership with IFOAM, to ensure the visibility and credibility of products displayed as “organic” on its fairground.

Organic products are imported to the Middle East and North Africa from various parts of the world to meet the demands of diverse food cultures. MENOPE is therefore a platform for organic products certified in line with a wide range of organic standards and systems, displaying many different organic labels. It also hosts exhibitors of products labeled “natural” or “eco-friendly”, but which are not organic.

With a plethora of labels and claims looking for buyer attention, MENOPE recognized the need to identify those that are credible and trustworthy. The organic logo can only be displayed by exhibitors whose products comply with trustworthy organic standards and control systems, as defined by technical criteria developed in partnership with IFOAM. Buyers can now be sure that those who display the organic logo offer trustworthy organic products, which can either be used as ingredients or sold to consumers in good faith.

In addition to preventing buyer confusion, MENOPE is also taking a lead in promoting organic integrity in a region that is currently a fast-growing organic market. The technical criteria that must be met for the MENOPE organic logo are based on the IFOAM Family of Standards. These match those used by leading countries in the region, such as Saudi Arabia, to regulate the import of organic products.

The IFOAM membership approved the 2014 version of the IFOAM Norms. This version, including the IFOAM Standard version 2.0 and the IFOAM Accreditation Requirements version 2.0, hereby supersedes version 2012 of the IFOAM Norms. The COROS (Common Objectives and Requirements of Organic Standards – IFOAM Standards Requirements) remain unchanged in this version of the norms.

The decision was taken through electronic vote during the period June 2 to July 15, 2014. The IFOAM Standard and the IFOAM Accreditation Requirements were approved with respectively 94% and 91% of the votes. The participation rate was however rather low, with 13% of the voting members casting a vote.

The most significant changes in the 2014 compared to the 2012 versions concern:• For the IFOAM Standard: new requirements for protected cropping,

connection to the soil and fertility amendments, animal welfare and animal origin requirements, social justice requirements and requirements on solvents and on GMO-free labeling.

• For the IFOAM Accreditation Requirements: nearly all sections of the norm have been modified. Chapter 9 (Acceptance of other product certification) has undergone the most extensive revision.

IFOAM thanks the members of the Standard Committee and Accreditation Requirements Committee for the impressive amount of voluntary work that they dedicated to this process. We also thank all those who provided input during the consultation periods and motion periods.

The new version of the IFOAM Norms, as well as detailed information on the development process and on changes as compared to the 2012 versions, can be found at: http://www.ifoam.org/en/ifoam-norms.

MENOPE, in partnership with IFOAM, launches organic logo to identify trustworthy organic products

IFOAM publishes the 2014 Version of the IFOAM Norms

The IFOAM NORMSfor Organic Productionand ProcessingVersion 2014

NORMS 2014

Includes:

Comon Objectives and Requirements of OrganicStandards (COROS) – IFOAM Standards Requirements

The IFOAM Standard for OrganicProduction and Processing

IFOAM Accreditation Requirements for BodiesCertifying Organic Production and Processing

Europe

EU Organic Regulation

Switzerland Organic Regulation

Turkey Organic Regulation

Bio Suisse Standards, Switzerland

Biocyclic Standards, Cyprus

Nature & Progrès Standards, France

Gäa Private Standards, Germany

The EcoWellness Standard, Germany

CCPB Global Standard, Italy

Italian Organic Standard, Italy

Krav Standards, Sweden

The Family of Standards contains all standards officially endorsed as organic by the Organic Movement, based on their equivalence with the Common Objectives and Requirements of Organic Standards. Both private standards and government regulations are admissible.

That’s Organic - Worldwide.

www.ifoam.org/ogs

Africa

Asia

Oceania

The Americas

Tunisia Organic RegulationEast African Organic Products Standard

Afrisco Organic Standards, South Africa Siyavuna Organic Standards, South AfricaUganda Organic Standard, UgandaZimbabwe Standard for Organic Farming, Zimbabwe

Argencert Organic Standard, Argentina

Letis IFOAM Accredited Standard, Argentina

OIA Organic Standards, Argentina

Bolicert Private Standards, Bolivia

IBD Organic Guidelines, Brazil

DOAM Organic Standards, Dominica

Red Mexicana de Tianguis y Mercados Orgánicos’ Standard, Mexico

CCOF International Standard, USA

Farm Verified Organic Requirements Manual, USA

NOFA Standards for Organic Land Care, USA

Japan Organic Regulation

OFDC Organic Certification Standard, China

Sunshine Earth Organic Standard, China

HKORC Organic Standard, Hong Kong

Biocert India Standards, India

Japan Organic & Natural Foods Association Organic Standard, Japan

MASIPAG Organic Standards, The Philippines

CONU Organic Standard, South Korea

DCOK, LLC International Standards, South Korea

GOAA International Standards, South Korea

ACT Basic Standard, Thailand

Vietnam PGS Standards, Vietnam

National Standard for Organic and Bio-Dynamic Produce, Australia

New Zealand Organic Export Regulation

Pacific Organic Standard, Pacific Community

Australian Certified Organic Standard, Australia

NASAA Organic Standard, Australia

GLOBAL

Asian Regional Organic Standard

Saudi Arabia Organic Regulation

China Organic Regulation

India Organic RegulationIsrael Organic Regulation

Argentina Organic Regulation

Canada Organic Regulation

Costa Rica Organic Regulation

USA Organic Regulation

IFOAM StandardInternational Standard for Forest Garden Products (FGP)

Note: Applicant standards are marked in grey. Family Standards Frame: May 23, 2014. Click on each standard to see more details. Best viewed with Adobe Reader

AsureQuality Organic Standard, New Zealand

BioGro Organic Standards, New Zealand

Programs listed in this frame require , for a product to be considered organic, that it be certified to a standard approved in the IFOAM Family of Standards. Those programs are therefore considered by the organic movement as having a sound and credible criterion to ensure the integrity of organic products accepted under their program, from the standard point of view.

Programs recognizing the IFOAM Family of Standards as the criterion for accepting a standard as organic

www.ifoam.org/ogs

Private-Public Labeling Programs

Government Import Regulation Programs

East African Organic Mark license requirements

Private Programs

Australia’s requirements for imported organic or biodynamic products and ingredients

Saudi Arabian procedures and conditions for importing organic products

BioFach Exhibitor/Product acceptance requirements

EcoWellness labeling program

Australian Certified Organic Standard ingredient and product approval program

Global Organic Textile Standard requirements for organic fibres

Middle East Natural & Organic Product Expo’s technical criteria for organic products

NATRUE Label: organic raw materials requirements

Family Benefits Frame: July 22, 2014

Europe

EU Organic Regulation

Switzerland Organic Regulation

Turkey Organic Regulation

Bio Suisse Standards, Switzerland

Biocyclic Standards, Cyprus

Nature & Progrès Standards, France

Ecoland Standards for Organic Agriculture and Food Production, Germany

Gäa Private Standards, Germany

Naturland Standards, Germany

The EcoWellness Standard, Germany

CCPB Global Standard, Italy

Italian Organic Standard, Italy

Krav Standards, Sweden

The Family of Standards contains all standards officially endorsed as organic by the Organic Movement, based on their equivalence with the Common Objectives and Requirements of Organic Standards. Both private standards and government regulations are admissible.

That’s Organic - Worldwide.

www.ifoam.org/ogs

Africa

Asia

Oceania

The Americas

Tunisia Organic RegulationEast African Organic Products Standard

EnCert Organic Standards, Kenya

Basic Norms of Organic Agriculture in Senegal, SenegalAfrisco Organic Standards, South Africa Siyavuna Organic Standards, South AfricaOrganic Standards for Tancert, TanzaniaUganda Organic Standard, UgandaZimbabwe Standard for Organic Farming, Zimbabwe

Argencert Organic Standard, Argentina

Letis IFOAM Accredited Standard, Argentina

OIA Organic Standards, Argentina

IBD Organic Guidelines, Brazil

DOAM Organic Standards, Dominica

Red Mexicana de Tianguis y Mercados Orgánicos’ Standard, Mexico

CCOF International Standard, USA

Farm Verified Organic Requirements Manual, USA

NOFA Standards for Organic Land Care, USA

Japan Organic Regulation

OFDC Organic Certification Standard, China

HKORC Organic Standard, Hong Kong

Biocert India Standards, India

IBOAA Organic Agriculture Standard, Israel

Japan Organic & Natural Foods Association Organic Standard, Japan

MASIPAG Organic Standards, The Philippines

CONU Organic Standard, South Korea

DCOK, LLC International Standards, South Korea

GOAA International Standards, South Korea

ACT Basic Standard, Thailand

Vietnam PGS Standards, Vietnam

National Standard for Organic and Bio-Dynamic Produce, Australia

New Zealand Organic Export Regulation

Pacific Organic Standard, Pacific Community

Australian Certified Organic Standard, Australia

NASAA Organic Standard, Australia

AsureQuality Organic Standard, New Zealand

BioGro Organic Standards, New Zealand

GLOBAL

Asian Regional Organic Standard

Saudi Arabia Organic Regulation

China Organic Regulation

India Organic RegulationIsrael Organic Regulation

Argentina Organic Regulation

Canada Organic Regulation

Costa Rica Organic Regulation

USA Organic Regulation

IFOAM StandardInternational Standard for Forest Garden Products (FGP)

Note: Applicant standards are marked in grey. Family Standards Frame: October 28, 2013. Click on each standard to see more details.