What are Standards?

• A document that provides requirements, specifications, guidelines or characteristics that can be used consistently to ensure that materials, products, processes and services are fit for their purpose.

There are two organic international worldwide standards:

• Codex Alimentarius Guidelines for organic production (FAO)
• IFOAM Organic Standard

What is Certification?

• The provision by an independent body of written assurance (a certificate) that the product, service or system in question meets specific requirements.

What is Accreditation?

• The formal recognition by an independent body, generally known as an accreditation body, that a certification body is capable of carrying out certification.
• Accreditation is not obligatory but it adds another level of confidence, as ‘accredited’ means the certification body has been independently checked to make sure it operates according to international standards.

~ International Standards Organization (ISO)