General procedure for certification by Kiwa BCS:
First, you obtain a non-binding offer from us. After positive feedback and conclusion of the contract, we carry out the initial inspection at your business. For each organic inspection, a final inspection report is drawn up containing all inspection points and their results. In order to guarantee high quality and independence in the certification process, we always work according to the four-eyes principle. This means that the inspection and the certification cannot be carried out by the same personnel. After the inspection, a second expert in our office makes the certification decision on the basis of the inspection report. If your company fulfils all legal requirements, our certifiers will issue your organic certificate.
In case of an inspection by an organic association, please contact the association at the same time. This is because the association only issues the inspection order to your chosen inspection body. The evaluation of the inspection report and the certification decision are taken over directly by the association. This inspection can take place in the course of your Eu-Bio annual inspection or independently of it. However, it is considered the basis of an organic association inspection.
Biokreis
What you need to know:
The additional certification with an organic association has many, great advantages for producing farms. The Biokreis seal stands for regionality in harmony with nature. The organic network has existed in Germany for producers, processors and traders since 1979. With short distances and market sponsorships, the Biokreis principles are based on the trust to pay food producers the true value for their products in organic quality.
For more information, please visit: https://www.biokreis.de/
Canadian Organic Regime (COR)
What you need to know:
A COR certification gives you access to the Canadian organic market. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency grants approval for inspection bodies to carry out organic certification in Canada. Kiwa BCS is accredited in Canada. Please contact us directly if you are interested.
You can find further information with this link.
EcoVeg
What you need to know:
The additional certification with an organic association has many, great advantages for manufacturing companies. The EcoVeg seal stands for organic, exclusively plant-based products. As the first independently verified seal for vegan food in organic quality, the EcoVeg seal enjoys a great deal of trust among consumers and thus increases the value of your products.
For more information, please visit: https://www.vegorganic.de/
Fair Trade Sustainability Alliance (FairTSA)
What you need to know:
The Fair Trade Sustainability Alliance aims to improve the quality of life of producers and workers through fair trade principles and sustainable community development. Fair Trade is a sustainable approach where fair trade meets social responsibility. FairTSA brings together producers' quality products with a global network of FairTSA label licensees.
For more information, visit: https://www.fairtsa.org/
Happy Hazelnut Project (HHP)
What you need to know:
The Happy Hazelnut Project (HHP) is a foundation that combines the cultivation of organic hazelnuts with transparency and fair wages in Turkey. It was founded in 2013 through the cooperation of two trading partners from Switzerland and Turkey. Since then, it has grown steadily and its seal is particularly known as social and sustainability standards.
You can find more information at: https://www.happyhazelnut.ch/
Mineral Water Quality Association
What you need to know:
The Organic Mineral Water Seal assures end consumers of greater purity and safety in the quality of water. In addition, it protects the natural sources of the water as well as other environmental protection measures such as the promotion of organic farming in the region of the sources. Strict control guidelines and the publication of control reports ensure transparency. The mineral water control can be carried out as a combined control with your EU organic control, or separately. As the only inspection body in Germany, you are welcome to contact us directly if you have any questions.
For further information, please visit: https://bio-mineralwasser.de/
Bavarian Organic Seal
What you need to know:
The Bavarian Organic Seal stands for a regional organic quality promise: If a product bears the seal, it fulfils far more than the legal requirements for organic products. The criteria are based on the organic farming associations active in Bavaria: Bioland, Biokreis, Demeter and Naturland. These associations stand for organic farming - which in turn does a lot for nature conservation. Preserving biodiversity, or protecting our local waters.
You can find more information at: https://www.biosiegel.bayern/de/home/
Organic Seal of Baden-Württemberg:
What you need to know:
The Bio-Zeichen Baden-Württemberg has existed since 2002 and stands for products that are organically produced in Baden-Württemberg or for organic food whose ingredients are organically produced in Baden-Württemberg. The regional origin of the products ensures an ecological advantage, because regionality promotes short transport and marketing routes. The use or labelling is based on the organic standards of the EU Organic Regulation supplemented with the requirement that the products must be produced in fully converted farms as well as, in part, on the stricter requirements of the organic farming associations.
Additional information can be found with this link.
Hesse Regional Seal (HE)
What you need to know:
The "Bio aus Hessen" seal guarantees assured food quality and traceable origin in the areas of agricultural production, processing and marketing. The seal is often displayed alongside the logos of organic associations such as Bioland or Naturland. Consumers can orientate themselves between the different quality features and buy regionally at the same time.
Further information can be found at: https://www.gutes-aus-hessen.de/unsere-siegel/bio-aus-hessen/
Beef production GL-Spessart
Grünland Spessart stands for beef and mutton from pastures in the Spessart region. The species-appropriate husbandry with summer months on the lush meadows and pastures ensure a large portion of "outdoors in". Together with local feed during the winter months, they give the animals the taste of the Spessart.
What you need to know:
As farmers, butchers and restaurateurs, we work hand in hand. Our understanding is based on our love for our homeland. After all, the cultivation of meadows and pastures in the Spessart region goes hand in hand with the production of regional food and the preservation of a diverse cultural landscape.
You can only get Grünland-Spessart meat and sausage products from a certified farm. The initiative stands for transparency from the pasture to the shop counter.
Tunisian Organic Certification
What you need to know:
Many organic products are exported from Tunisia to Europe, such as dates and olive oil. Organic farms in Tunisia need a certification according to the Tunisian organic legislation, loi 99-30. With this certification, organic products can then be exported to Europe without the need for further certification according to European organic regulations. Kiwa BCS is approved as an inspection body for the Tunisian organic standard and can therefore offer you a certification with which you can offer your goods from Tunisia on the European market.
You can find more information about the Tunisian organic standard on the website of the CTAB in Tunisia: http://www.ctab.nat.tn/index.php/fr-fr/reglementation/loi.
Unser Land
What you need to know:
Behind the association "Unser Land" is a network of producing farms from 12 districts around the Bavarian capital Munich. The solidarity communities under the roof of the association are made up of farmers, craftsmen/traders, consumers, churches and environmental organisations.
Kiwa BCS Scattered Fruit - Programme
Scattered fruit meadows represent a formative part of the cultural landscape, are the habitat of numerous animal and plant species and the basis for a diverse range of sustainable and regional products. It is therefore a declared goal to consistently protect orchard meadows.
What you need to know:
In keeping with the guiding principle of "protecting by using", the main focus in the field of orchards is on rewarding the management and care of orchard trees, optimising the value chain and raising consumer awareness.
Gäa Association
What you need to know:
Gäa e.V. is one of the smallest organic associations in Germany. It was founded in the former GDR and has existed for 30 years. Besides high-quality organic products, Gäa's priorities are holistic sustainability and social commitment. This results in a future-oriented and practical daily work with personal support for the association's members.
You can find out more about Gäa e.V. at: https://www.gaea.de/index.php