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IFOAM Basic Standards

The International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements ( IFOAM ) represents a worldwide network of organic practitioners that seeks to establish universally accepted standards for organic production and processing.

The IFOAM Basic Standards for Organic Production and Processing is not a certifiable standard in and of itself. Rather, it serves as a framework for national and international certification bodies and standard-setting organizations. Democratically and internationally adopted, they reflect the current state of organic production and processing methods. These standards should not be seen as a final statement, but rather as a work in progress to contribute to the continued development and adoption of organic practices throughout the world. The Basic Standards are structured as "standards for standards." As such, understanding the IFOAM Basic Standard serves as a key to understanding the basic elements of organic standards over the world.The IFOAM Basic Standards together with the IFOAM Accreditation Criteria are the IFOAM Norms. It is important to note that while IFOAM has established standards for a variety of products, the standards laid out in this text correspond to the IFOAM Basic Standards as they apply to agricultural products, specifically perennial crops, processing, and handling.


Sub-Category Private Sector
Standard for Organic agricultural goods
Focus Production and processing of agricultural products that provide assurance of adherence to organic standards.
Structure

The IFOAM Basic Standards are largely considered the benchmark for most national programs for organic standards. The Standards encompass 3 sections of General Principle, Recommendations, and what standards should require for each of the following topic and sub-topics:

  • Organic Ecosystems: Ecosystem Management, Soil and Water Conservation, Genetic Engineering, Wild Harvested Products and Common/Public Land Management
  • General Requirements for Crop Production and Animal Husbandry: Conversion Requirements, Split Production and Parallel Production, Maintenance of Organic Management
  • Crop Production: Choice of Crops and Varieties, Length of Conversion Period (Plant Production), Diversity in Crop Production, Soil Fertility and Fertilization, Pest, Disease, Weed, and Growth Management, Avoiding Contamination
  • Animal Husbandry: Animal Management, Length of Conversion Period, Animals Sources/Origin, Breeds and Breeding, Mutilations, Animal Nutrition, Veterinary Medicine, Transport and Slaughter, Bee Keeping
  • Processing and Handling: General, Ingredients, Processing Methods, Pest and Disease Control, Packaging, Cleaning, Disinfecting, and Sanitizing of Food Processing Facilities, Textile Fiber Processing
  • Labeling: General, Fiber, Textiles and Apparel
  • Social Justice
  • Aquaculture Production Standards: Conversion to Organic Aquaculture, Aquatic Ecosystems, Aquatic Plants, Breeds and Breeding, Aquatic Animal Nutrition, Aquatic Animal Health and Welfare, Aquatic Animal Transport and Slaughter
  • Criteria for the Evaluation of Inputs, Additives, and Processing Aids for Organic Production and Processing
  • Fertilizers and Soil Conditioners
  • Crop Protectants and Growth Regulators
  • List of Approved Additives and Processing Aids; indicative List of Equipment Cleansers and Equipment Disinfectants that may come into direct contact with food
Conformity Requirements
Auditing System Third-party, International Organic Accreditation Service Inc. (IOAS)-accredited certifying bodies.
Geographic Focus International
Website http://www.ifoam.org/

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