Organic certification - what does it mean and how to recognise it?

Often, when buying their favourite product, consumers do not check the labelling. An uninformed purchase of foodstuffs may involve choosing the lowest quality goods. How can you tell if a product is organic?

Organic certificates - what are they?

Organic certificates can most often be found on the labels or packaging of food products. Organic food certification can be issued to products from any industry. It proves that no artificial mineral fertilisers, pesticides, retardants or synthetic feed additives were used in the production of a particular food product such as vegetables. The document also proves that the goods do not contain preservatives, but also that detergents harmful to health have not been used in their production.

Unfortunately, the companies on the labels often try to confuse the buyer with additional names that may indicate its eco-friendliness, such as rural, natural, but also homemade. Such names should be approached with scepticism, as packaging without a visible eco-certificate is a meaningless word woven into the product name.

Organic certification - its use

An organic certificate is a document that producers can obtain by meeting the strict requirements of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. They are used to distinguish an organic product from one that is not. On products with an organic food certificate, the consumer is fully aware of which product is organic, without having to check the ingredients on the label.

Organic certification - types

There are many organic farming certifications. However, often the shopper does not pay attention to the differences between the labels. What are the types of organic symbols on packaging and what do they mean? The certificates that are obtainable in Poland are:

• Euro-leaf - This is the most important pan-European organic certification. It is awarded by the European Commission and confirms that the manufacturer's products come from farms that use natural cultivation and implement organic animal husbandry principles. The visible symbol of a leaf with white stars on a green background is also a symbol that the product meets all the standards of bio and eco-certification set by the European Union, including respect for the landscape and heritage for future generations.
• PCBiC - This is the Environmental Certificate from the Polish Centre for Testing and Certification. When you see such a label on a product, you can be sure that it is created in accordance with the principle of environmental protection. In order for an article to receive the PCBiC ecological certificate, it must not have a negative impact on the environment throughout the product's life cycle. Furthermore, the manufactured good must have a sustainable impact on the environment.
• PCBiC Certified Natural Cosmetic - This is another symbol that focuses on cosmetics made in a natural way. These are cosmetics that do not have a negative impact on the environment, as well as implementing ecological solutions to protect the planet and using only natural resources in the production process of the cosmetic product.
• Eu Ecolabel - Another certificate that is awarded by the European Commission. Its symbol is recognised throughout the world, but especially in Europe. For manufacturers to receive this label is proof that the product is of a high standard at every stage of product development. The Ecolabel is a programme which can be joined by any entrepreneur who conducts his or her business with concern for ecology and the environment.
• The standard requirements that allow certification are set by scientists and a group of experts in the field of environmental solutions. They are published as decisions of the European Commission for individual products, but also for services. The criteria to be met for Ecolabel certification are reviewed mostly every 3 years, but the inspection period can also occur after 5 years. The inspection is important to check whether a company continues to comply with the requirements of the certificate and meets the standards imposed by the European Commission.
• The Eco Eco Certificate - is one of three certificates that is awarded by the PCBiC organisation. Those who meet the requirements of the Eco-certificate can use the symbol to indicate their positive impact on the environment, as well as to signal their company's resilient development in the field of ecology. For a product to carry the Eco-label, it must meet standards related to: health protection, but also not have a negative impact on the environment. Furthermore, it should adhere to the principle of using as little as possible of natural resources to produce the goods throughout their life cycle.
• Agro Bio Test - the label is awarded by an independent Polish certification body to products that are produced in accordance with the principles of organic agriculture while adhering to international criteria. Agro Bio Test is the oldest organisation for the certification of organic products in Poland and deals with the inspection of areas related to: organic plant cultivation, animal husbandry, as well as beekeeping, processing of organic products, and the production of fodder and yeast. Its duties can also include the review of products that are imported from abroad into the country. After a positive consideration of all the factors that influence certification, the producer can apply for the Agro Bio Test symbol. However, it should be borne in mind that, having been awarded the Agro Bio Test label, the organisation will supervise the company during the period of validity of the certificate.
• Certified Organic Content Standard - this is a worldwide and voluntary standard. The symbol shown on an OCS-certified product indicates that the organic content standard of the end product is of the highest level. It is a document that applies to any non-food product with between 95 and 100 per cent natural material in its content. An entrepreneur applying for this certificate will have to undergo a production chain check. Because this is the only way the organisation can verify the authenticity of the percentage composition of organic materials in a product.
• Global Organic Textile Standard certification - this is a document that proves that the raw materials used in the production of the material are natural. Furthermore, suppliers of the material must be chosen consciously in order to be certified. They should have organically grown crops using global standards. Furthermore, the plants used in production should not be genetically modified. All plastics except those made from animal skin can be certified under the Global Organic Textile Standard. In order to obtain certification, it is necessary to adhere to the fact that products must have at least 95% organic fibres in their composition or to proceed to certification of a mixed category, in which the share of organic fibres is below the 95% ceiling. In order to obtain GOTS certification, products must have a minimum of 70% materials of natural origin in their composition.

  

Why get certified organic?

An organic certificate makes it easier for consumers to trust a product, but it also makes it easier for them to verify that a product is organic and comes from natural cultivation. Organic certification labels create greater awareness among people about the products they buy, so that they make more conscious, as well as ecological, decisions that affect their diet, but also the environment.

Environmental certificates for companies - why are they important?

A number of studies have been carried out to determine what is the biggest concern for consumers in the market today. An analysis conducted in 2019 showed that as many as ⅔ of shoppers indicated environmental as well as health problems. More and more companies are adapting their product to the current expectations of consumers. Therefore, the implementation of ecological solutions as well as certifications that confirm the natural origin or organic product of the goods is an important element that manufacturers should pay attention to. One company that stands out for solutions that reduce carbon dioxide emissions is InPost.

Thanks to the modern solution of collecting parcels via Paczkomat®, CO2 consumption is reduced by up to 75%. This can be compared to 9 trees, which can clear the same amount of harmful emissions throughout the year. In addition, only electric cars are used to transport parcels, which do not produce harmful substances at all. These types of applications make consumers more likely to choose a particular company for its services.

How can you obtain organic certification?

The organic certificate is issued to products that meet criteria set by independent certification bodies. How do I obtain organic certification? In order to obtain the certificate, the following measures need to be implemented:

1. Submission of an application for organic farming.
2. Creating an agri-environmental plan with the help of the Agricultural Advisory Centre enabling production subsidies to be obtained, but also getting help in choosing the most favourable solutions for the business.
3. Writing up the agreement between the certification body and completing the relevant forms.
4. Waiting for an inspector to confirm compliance with organic farm rules.

A document indicating the environmental performance of a product cannot be bought, but the issuing of the certificate involves fees for the producer of the goods. The certificate must be renewed every year and all elements of the production chain must be thoroughly reviewed. It is also important to remember that inspections can be unexpected.

They aim to check that both the cultivation and the production of the products are carried out in accordance with all standards and requirements. The inspection may concern certified organic seeds, which will later be planted and used in the production process, but also both the production hall and the animal feed.

All elements of the production chain are extremely important and should not be forgotten, as it is easy to lose a certificate indicating the environmental performance of products. Many people wonder whether organic certification is affordable for the entrepreneur applying for it. It is not a small expense of PLN 1,000 to 1,500.

Who is in charge of issuing organic certification?

The certificate is issued by independent organisations that are authorised by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development. In Poland, there are 12 institutions that are authorised both to issue organic certificates and to revoke authorisations related to the holding of organic labels for natural products.