8.1. EurepGAP 8.1.1. Introduction
EurepGAP17 started in 1997 as an initiative of retailers belonging to the Euro-Retailer Produce Working Group (EUREP). The EurepGAP standards lay out requirements for Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) on farms covering Fruit and Vegetables, Flower and Ornamentals, Integrated Farm Assurance, Integrated Aquaculture Assurance and (Green) Coffee. The leading European retailer groups – global players in the retail industry obtaining food products from around the world – have agreed on these requirements as minimum standards. EurepGAP was driven by the desire to ensure good agricultural practice in order to reduce risks in agricultural production. The system considers food safety requirements, the environment, workers well being and welfare of animals. In addition to farm practices the certification scheme includes food packing and processing requirements assuring the whole chain through to the final consumer.
8.1.2. EurepGAP certification scheme
EurepGAP system provides for general regulations explaining the structure of certification to the different EurepGAP standards, the procedures to be followed in order to obtain certification and clarifies the relationship between farmers, certifiers and the EurepGAP Secretariat, managing the scheme. It includes approval requirements as well as certification granting procedures applicable for the CBs. EurepGAP details control points (standards) and compliance criteria and provides for elaborated checklists.
8.1.3. Reference to ISO 65
EurepGAP clearly commits CBs to apply and achieve ISO 65/EN 45011 accreditation with EurepGAP scope. Accreditation bodies responsible have to be part of either the European
Accreditation (EA) multilateral agreement (MLA) on Product Certification or to be members of the International Accreditation Forum (IAF).
According to EurepGAP it was an original intention to only involve ISO 65 accredited CBs. ISO Guide 65 is considered to be the only accepted worldwide norm and therefore it is appropriate to reference it.
The Norm in principle serves its purpose to ensure CB’s qualifications. However, in order to safeguard the specific needs of EurepGAP, its secretariat is seeking close co-operation and adjustment with the involved accreditation bodies, aiming for harmonized
accreditation processes. Currently it is not envisaged to change the approach; the reference to ISO 65 is not under re-consideration.
8.2. Utz Kapeh certification of Coffee18 8.2.1. Introduction
Utz Kapeh defines itself as an integrated certification programme for responsible coffee production, open to all coffee producers. The programme is based on the EurepGap standards. It was initiated 1997 by the Ahold Coffee Company from the Netherlands and Finca El Volcan in Guatemala. Utz Kapeh was established as an independent foundation in2002. Utz Kapeh Code of Conduct is benchmarked to EurepGAP and includes
additional social criteria based on ILO (International Labour Organization) conventions, Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the SA8000 code for social production standards.
8.2.2. Utz Kapeh Certification scheme
The Utz Kapeh certification protocol determines the certification system. It clarifies rights and duties of Utz Kapeh registered producers, traders, roasters, introduces third party certification and details approval procedures for certification bodies. It outlines audit procedures, regulates qualification and training of inspectors and also covers inspection procedures. Producers may seek certification of compliance with the Utz Kapeh Code of Conduct. Processors, mills, exporters, importers, warehouses, traders, roasters, packers and brands may seek certification as being compliant with the Utz Kapeh Chain of Custody Requirements.
8.2.3. Reference to ISO 65
In order to become eligible to certify according to the UTZ Kapeh Code of Conduct, the Utz Kapeh approval procedures for CBs (included in the Utz Kapeh Certification protocol) require CBs to be ISO 65 accredited for the EurepGap green coffee scope. They also can be approved if they can show a contractual agreement with an ISO 65 accredited CB. For CBs inspecting Utz Kapeh’s Chain of Custody & Logo Use requirements, ISO 65 accreditation is a premise. This can be for EurepGap scope or for organic certification scope.
Utz Kapeh is still a new programme that has to be publicised. It intends to be recognized as a mainstream initiative. According to Utz Kapeh, ISO 65 is referenced in order to support credibility and acceptance of Utz Kapeh. . Referring to a worldwide accepted and
implemented norm serves the acknowledgement of the system itself. Furthermore, referring to ISO Guide 65 follows the EurepGap approach to which Utz Kapeh is benchmarked. However, additional measures are necessary to safeguard inspector qualification with respect to e.g. social auditing knowledge, a field Utz Kapeh provides training for. Although there is some concern that accreditation according to ISO 65 is costly (especially for CBs in developing countries) the commitment to ISO Guide 65 is at the moment not under discussion. Considerations in the future are not excluded. 8.3. Fairtrade (FLO)19
8.3.1. Introduction
Fairtrade Labelling was created in the Netherlands in the late 1980. Max Havelaar launched the first Fairtrade consumer guarantee label in 1986 on coffee sourced from Mexico.
Today, there are 19 organisations (so called National Initiatives) that run the international standard setting and monitoring body, Fairtrade Labelling Organisations (FLO).
Fairtrade seeks to improve the position of poor and disadvantaged producers in the
developing world, by setting Fairtrade standards and by creating a framework that enables trade to take place in conditions respecting their interest. Producers registered with FLO receive a minimum price that covers the cost of production and an extra premium that is invested in the local community. Products carry a Fairtrade Label, as the independent consumer guarantee that producers in the developing world get a better deal. The certification scheme is administered by FLO-Cert Ltd.
8.3.2. Fairtrade Labelling scheme
Fairtrade certification ensures producers’ compliance with the product-specific Fairtrade standards, which include requirements to ensure that Fairtrade benefits are used for social and economic development. Traders are audited as well to make sure that the Fairtrade price reaches the producers and that the Fairtrade Label is only used on products coming from Fairtrade-certified producers. FLO-Cert is implementing the scheme and organises the inspection and trade auditing activities. It employs its own inspectors but also contracts other certification bodies to carry out inspection according to the fair-trade standards. 8.3.3. Reference to ISO 65
One of the reasons to outsource FLO certification from FLO to FLO-Cert was to enhance transparency and autonomy of Fairtrade certification and trade auditing. ISO 65 was taken as reference document to set up FLO-Cert’s structure and for developing and defining the certification processes. The governing board of FLO Cert just recently took the decision to
apply for ISO 65 accreditation. FLO-Cert expects other certification bodies working for FLO-Cert to be ISO 65 accredited; it is conditional for CBs that carry out inspections or trade auditing on behalf of FLO Cert. Fairtrade is co-operating mostly with ‘organic’ certifiers, which anyway have to consider ISO 65 accreditation. It is therefore not considered as an undue barrier for CBs by FLO-Cert.
According to FLO Cert the commitment to ISO 65 substantially enhanced the professional approach of FLO Cert. It provided clear undisputable guidance to set up the certification system. The fact that ISO Guide 65 is an external common norm and not Fairtrade based is considered advantageous to preventing Fairtrade from being arbitrary. ISO 65 forces the system to be transparent, and impartial, and for decisions to be repeatable; and it requires definite description of the related measures. Internally implementing ISO 65 pushes the Fairtrade movement to look into its definition in order to harmonize understanding and scope of the Fairtrade system.
Commitment to ISO 65 also results from the fact that Fairtrade is beginning to expand beyond a niche market. Supermarket chains are now involved in trading Fairtrade labelled products. They expect Fairtrade to recognize and to fulfil well-accepted norms. Important market players are asking for evidence that the Fairtrade system is reliable and robust. ISO 65 accreditation provides evidence and is well known and accepted, especially by retailers. 8.4. Summary
EurepGap as well as Utz Kapeh are industry-based schemes. From the beginning, both included ISO 65 accreditation of the involved certification bodies and neither scheme is currently reconsidering that approach. It is in line with the common approach of the industry with regard to general food safety and quality assurance. Both systems apply additional requirements to safeguard the specific needs of the respective systems, and provide for clear and definite instruction for how the CBs implement the system. Both acknowledge that ISO 65 is well accepted and thereby supports harmonization of requirements applicable for CBs. EurepGAP is seeking adjustments with accreditation bodies to ensure harmonized accreditation procedures. There is some concern expressed by Utz Kapeh that ISO 65 accreditation is too costly. The Fairtrade movement is on its way to include ISO 65 reference in order to sharpen its system and to gain acceptance also in mainstream markets.