Export Certification Service

An Introduction

Background

Scenario for collaboration

Organic production takes place under different conditions and norms [private standards as well as regulations]. Due to the lack of recognition between governments and within the private sector, certification of international organic product chains has become a complicated and cost burdensome service to operators and consumers.

The demanding nature of regulatory requirements makes it difficult as well as expensive for local certification initiatives in developing markets to establish themselves to offer export certification. Moreover it is hard for local certification bodies in developing markets to compete with international certification bodies [CBs] in export certification. Local CBs however offer advantages as a service partner to international CBs, e.g. local presence, inspectors familiar with local production methods and growing conditions, staff fluent in the local language, and political support for a local business rather than a foreign one. International CBs have the possibility of extending their service at competitive rates in the region where they work through collaboration with local CBs. And local CBs can link themselves up as part of a service network to offer a one-stop certification service for exports to local operators.

Whilst most local CBs in developing markets cannot realistically grow into global companies even in the medium term, they may offer enough local advantage to maintain independence as members of an international alliance. Development of service networks where big and small CBs can collaborate productively augurs well for development and mainstreaming of the organic sector worldwide.

It should never the less be noted that collaboration between service organisations in a competitive environment is also about developing strategic relationships to enhance competitive advantage, i.e. CBs cannot expect be partners in more than one similar service network.

Retail Price of Organic and Conventional Products