Organic / Transitional
Q: How can you get the most out of your organic certification?
Certification Services for Growers, Handlers and Retailers
SCS has more than two decades of experience evaluating and certifying organic production and handling practices, and was among the first certifiers to be accredited under the USDA-administered National Organic Program (NOP). In addition, SCS offers special certification options for growers who are in transition to organic, but not yet qualified to make full organic claims. Finally, SCS provides “organic plus” certifications to organic growers who can demonstrate performance beyond the requirements of the NOP – specifically, in the areas of Social Responsibility practices, Antioxidant Rich nutrition content, and Clean Food Standards.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Certifier
While all USDA accredited organic certifiers must adhere to the basic requirements of accreditation, there are important differences. Among accredited certifiers, no other organization can match SCS’s experience evaluating pest management practices in the field, in the packing shed, in the storage facility, or on the shipping dock. Nor does any other accredited certifier have SCS’s experience in conducting sophisticated laboratory testing to detect pesticide residues at levels much lower than EPA tolerance levels. SCS’s on-the-ground field staff, operating throughout the western hemisphere, is trained to recognize indicators of chemical use, and to stay abreast of regional pest vectors and pest management trends. Growers can choose to put this expertise to work in order to provide added value to their organic certifications for further market differentiation.
At the same time, SCS has worked extensively with retailers and distributors, gaining an in-depth understanding of the special challenges these handlers face in adopting practical, effective organic handling practices. These challenges relate to such issues as accidental commingling of organic and non-organic products, pest control, storage separation, transportation, and product labeling and signage.
For more information about organic certification for growers or handlers, contact the SCS NutriClean division.
Cost Savings Based on “One-Stop” Services
SCS can help its clients realize significant cost savings by bundling its organic certification with other certification, auditing and testing services, including:
- Clean Food Certification
- Antioxidant Rich™ Certification
- Certification of Socially Responsible Practices
- Pesticide Residue Free Certification
- Specialized Pesticide Residue Testing Services
- GAP/GMP Food Safety Audits
- CertiClean® HACCP-based Food Safety Management Certification
- EurepGAP, BRC, and Tesco Food Safety Certification