Certification

To fully exploit the financial benefits of organics, access premium-price markets, and assert a commitment to sustainability, organic farmers make a declaration of 'organicness', known as organic certification. Once this step has been taken there is a great reluctance to return to synthetic chemicals to solve problems, both because the organic grower needs to believe that the new system can work, and because there will usually be a financial penalty (such as delay in accessing price premiums, or continuing to pay certification fees for a service they cannot use).

Depending on the certification organisation chosen, the actual point in the conversion process at which certification can occur will vary. There is a conflict sometimes between the converting farmer's need for financial recognition of the effort of conversion and the certification rules. The minimum time period for conversion is established by the relevant organic standards.

In Australia the National Standard for Organic and Bio-Dynamic Agriculture establishes the following minimum periods:

• To use a Conversion label 12 months since the last use of non-permitted inputs or practices
• To use an Organic label 36 months since the last use of non-permitted inputs or practices

These periods may be extended or reduced in exceptional circumstances, in the following ways:

• The certification body may apply the waiting period from the time of application, rather than the last use of non-permitted inputs or practices.
• The certification body may extend the period if it believes that soil ecosystems are impacted by previous chemical use, or if the grower is not able to display an ability to manage problems using accepted organic approaches and solutions.
• In the case of perennial crops, the conversion period may be applied from the end of the growing season in which synthetic inputs were applied, rather than the actual date of application.
• In rare circumstances, the period may be reduced for land in pristine condition, such as land that has been under pasture for many years, with no agricultural inputs (note: this provision is very infrequently applied).

In any case, all growers will undergo a minimum twelve-month ‘pre-certification’ period, during which time they will receive at least two site inspections. This period was introduced to enable fuller ‘supervision’ of the conversion process before the certification mark can be applied. It has effectively prevented an earlier phenomenon, where growers paid for ‘fast-track’ certification, dumped a single crop on the organic market, and then disappeared.

Not all farmers will need or seek certification. Some may choose to grow organic but will continue to market their produce into conventional channels. For many growers however, their first contact with a certification organisation and the choice of certifier will be a big part of the trauma of conversion.

The principal Australian certification organisations all offer a certification acceptable for domestic markets. Export markets may have very particular requirements, and often specify the certification organisation or system they prefer (such as Demeter, or IFOAM accreditation).

To find a Certifier who can certify your enterprise, based upon your turnover, type of certification (organic, biodynamic, or both), and export markets visit the Certifier Choice section of this website to help you narrow down the potential certifiers.

TM Organics can help you with this process. For further information about how we can help you visit our consulting services section of this website.