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Strengthening Organic Certification in the Pacific:

New Tools and a New Auditor Lead the Way

The Pacific region holds To read more on Sunil Kumar’s journey, visit:
vast potential for organic https://bit.ly/3FkcnUZ
agriculture, boasting rich In line with the
biodiversity, fertile soil, and an incredible milestone
inherent focus on sustainability. of the successful
However, organic farmers certification of a third-
and processors have often party organic auditor
struggled with the complexities under the Pacific
of obtaining 3rd Party Organic Organic Standard (POS),
Certification, a prerequisite SPC has launched a
for accessing international new Pacific Organic
markets. Standard Handbook, a
Sunil Kumar, Pacific Freelance Organic
This year marks a significant Auditor key resource designed
achievement for the Pacific with to complement the
the successful certification of third-party organic auditor Sunil POS and support those
Kumar. Mr Kumar was supported by the Pacific Community working toward organic
(SPC) through the European Union-funded Safe Agricultural certification. Tailored to
Trade Facilitation through Economic Integration in the the unique agricultural,
Pacific (SAFE Pacific) project to train in Cambodia as an organic cultural and economic
auditor through Ecocert, a global leader in organic certification. contexts of Pacific Island
This training marked a turning point in his journey to becoming a countries and territories,
globally recognised freelance Organic Auditor. the handbook provides
In layman’s terms, practical guidance for
an Organic Auditor farmers, businesses,
checks farms and and compliance auditors alike.
food production Originally established in 2008, the Pacific Organic Standard
facilities to ensure serves as the backbone of the Organic Pasifika label. Managed by
they are following the Pacific Organic & Ethical Trade Community (POETCom),
organic farming a network of 70 member organisations across Pacific nations,
rules or practices. the POS defines the criteria for organic production in the region,
The auditor inspects aligning with international organic standards while staying true
these places to to Pacific realities.
ensure that no To further strengthen the implementation of the POS, the
harmful chemicals or newly released handbook addresses several areas where users
synthetic fertilisers
Field Inspection for EU EOS and NOP standard, have sought clarification. Specifically, it aims to:
• Clarify key criteria by providing context, technical explanation,
are used and that the Cambodia
farm is using natural and practical insights
methods to grow crops and care for animals. The auditor’s • Propose interpretive guidance criteria that may vary in
•
Clarify key criteria by providing context, technical explana4on, and prac4cal insights
checklist will include factors like how the soil is managed, how application, helping user groups develop their own context-
Propose interpre4ve guidance criteria that may vary in applica4on, helping user groups develop their
•
pests are controlled, and how crops rotate to stay healthy. They specific protocols for assessment
Clarify key criteria by providing context, technical explana4on, and prac4cal insights
•
own context-speciﬁc protocols for assessment
will also check farm records to ensure everything used on the While not a substitute for the official standard, the handbook
•
Propose interpre4ve guidance criteria that may vary in applica4on, helping user groups develop their
farm is compliant with organic standards. The auditor will then serves as a companion tool to improve the consistency and
Clarify key criteria by providing context, technical explana4on, and prac4cal insights
•
compile a report with their findings, which helps determine if a While not a subs4tute for the oﬃcial standard, the handbook serves as a companion tool to improve the
own context-speciﬁc protocols for assessment
understanding of organic compliance processes in the Pacific.
Propose interpre4ve guidance criteria that may vary in applica4on, helping user groups develop their
•
The newly certified auditor, equipped with both the POS and es in the Paciﬁc. The newly cer4ﬁed auditor,
farm or facility has maintained organic farming practices and consistency and understanding of organic compliance process
own context-speciﬁc protocols for assessment
standards and recommend changes if needed. While not a subs4tute for the oﬃcial standard, the handbook serves as a companion tool to improve the
equipped with both the POS and the support of this handbook, will play a vital role in upholding organic integrity
the support of this handbook, will play a vital role in upholding
organic integrity and helping producers gain access to local and es in the Paciﬁc. The newly cer4ﬁed auditor,
Implemented by SPC’s Land Resources Division, SAFE consistency and understanding of organic compliance process
and helping producers gain access to local and interna4onal markets under the trusted Organic Pasiﬁka label.
Pacific provides targeted assistance to support small Pacific While not a subs4tute for the oﬃcial standard, the handbook serves as a companion tool to improve the
equipped with both the POS and the support of this handbook, will play a vital role in upholding organic integrity
international markets under the trusted Organic Pasifika label.
A SAFE Pacific Assessment tool is also available to help food es in the Paciﬁc. The newly cer4ﬁed auditor,
Island countries to increase export capacity and improve consistency and understanding of organic compliance process
and helping producers gain access to local and interna4onal markets under the trusted Organic Pasiﬁka label.
economic growth. By supporting Mr Kumar’s journey, it is A SAFE Paciﬁc Assessment tool is also available to help food producers and processors in the Paciﬁc navigate the
equipped with both the POS and the support of this handbook, will play a vital role in upholding organic integrity
producers and processors in the Pacific navigate the process of
addressing the challenge of the limited number of qualified process of choosing the right market or quality assurance program. It uses a decision tree to explore various
and helping producers gain access to local and interna4onal markets under the trusted Organic Pasiﬁka label.
A SAFE Paciﬁc Assessment tool is also available to help food producers and processors in the Paciﬁc navigate the
choosing the right market or quality assurance program. It uses
auditors available in the Pacific region for export markets. His cer4ﬁca4on op4ons, helping users see which one ﬁts their opera4on best. It also es4mates the ﬁnancial impact
a decision tree to explore various certification options, helping
success not only represents a personal achievement but also process of choosing the right market or quality assurance program. It uses a decision tree to explore various
of ge^ng cer4ﬁed.
users see which one fits their operation best. It also estimates
A SAFE Paciﬁc Assessment tool is also available to help food producers and processors in the Paciﬁc navigate the
signifies progress in enhancing organic certification capabilities cer4ﬁca4on op4ons, helping users see which one ﬁts their opera4on best. It also es4mates the ﬁnancial impact
the financial impact of getting certified.
among regional professionals, enhancing market access for process of choosing the right market or quality assurance program. It uses a decision tree to explore various
Ø To access the SAFE Paciﬁc Assessment tool, visit: h_ps://bit.ly/3FfWP4P
of ge^ng cer4ﬁed.
To access the SAFE Pacific Assessment tool, visit:
Pacific organic products, and promoting sustainable agricultural cer4ﬁca4on op4ons, helping users see which one ﬁts their opera4on best. It also es4mates the ﬁnancial impact
Ø To access the Paciﬁc Organic Standard Handbook, visit: h>ps://www.shorturl.at/sZSxA
https://bit.ly/3FfWP4P

Ø To access the SAFE Paciﬁc Assessment tool, visit: h_ps://bit.ly/3FfWP4P
practices. of ge^ng cer4ﬁed.
To access the Pacific Organic Standard Handbook, visit:
“I am committed to utilising the lessons learnt from the training Ø View Organic in ac4on at the SPC Paciﬁc Week of Agriculture and Forestry – Register for the Agroecology
Ø To access the Paciﬁc Organic Standard Handbook, visit: h>ps://www.shorturl.at/sZSxA
https://www.shorturl.at/sZSxA

Tour: from farm to plate side-event: h_ps://forms.oﬃce.com/r/314vuXbDvy
to contribute as a valuable asset for Fiji and the rest of the Pacific Ø To access the SAFE Paciﬁc Assessment tool, visit: h_ps://bit.ly/3FfWP4P
View Organic in action at the SPC Pacific Week of Agriculture
region. I am grateful for all the support that was rendered to me Ø View Organic in ac4on at the SPC Paciﬁc Week of Agriculture and Forestry – Register for the Agroecology
Ø To access the Paciﬁc Organic Standard Handbook, visit: h>ps://www.shorturl.at/sZSxA
and Forestry – Register for the Agroecology Tour: from farm to
Tour: from farm to plate side-event: h_ps://forms.oﬃce.com/r/314vuXbDvy
to accomplish all I needed to as an organic auditor,” Mr Kumar plate side-event: https://forms.office.com/r/314vuXbDvy

shared. Ø View Organic in ac4on at the SPC Paciﬁc Week of Agriculture and Forestry – Register for the Agroecology
Tour: from farm to plate side-event: h_ps://forms.oﬃce.com/r/314vuXbDvy
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