Organic certification has existed in Australia for more than 30 years and is the only way to provide integrity to the organic industry. Certification minimises confusion and builds confidence with consumers, opens up export market access and provides a robust, impartial system.
Market Access
Domestic
While Australia is currently one of the few developed countries to still not have domestic regulation controlling the use of the word ‘organic’ or the term ‘organically grown’, all major wholesalers, supermarkets, and many independent retailers are voluntarily insisting on certification from suppliers wishing to make claims of organic status on produce.
Export
The export market of Australian Organic and Biodynamic goods is regulated, they are considered ‘prescribed goods’ under the Export Control Act (2020).
It is illegal to export prescribed goods without approval in the form of an ‘Organic Goods Certificate’ or OGC. Product for export must comply with the productions requirements of the National Standard for Organic and Bio-dynamic Produce. Contact your certification body or register for one of AOL’s webinars for more information.
Consumer confidence
Organic certification is a highly developed and trusted third party certification system. With a lack of regulation in Australia, a third party certification becomes even more important, as it provides a guarantee that the entire supply chain has been independently audited against strict standards, so consumers know they are getting what they paid for. Learn more about domestic regulation here.
Robust system
Organic certification schemes place a high level of emphasis on prevention of conflicts of interest and management of impartiality.
For example, organic auditors and certification officers must not have any financial or other relationships with certified operators; certification decisions are made by a different person that conducts the inspections, and; auditors are rotated, so as to not become too familiar with operators. These practices help ensure that organic certification integrity is upheld.
Prepare for Certification
Learn more about the certification process and if it’s right for your business.
Certification Bodies
For a full list of certification bodies that can provide organic certification services in Australia, see the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment’s website.