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Organic
Agriculture Certification Thailand - Thailand
Organic Agriculture Certification Thailand was granted IFOAM accreditation in 2001 and was the first certification body based in Asia to become IFOAM Accredited. ACT was established in 1995 arising out of the Alternative Agriculture Network, a national network of 85 NGOs working on sustainable agriculture.
Initially the so-called Alternative Agriculture Certification Thailand operated in the field of 'alternative agriculture' but in 1998 it revised its focus to organic farming and changed its name to 'Organic Agriculture Certification Thailand'.
ACT is committed to support organic agriculture, a farming system in harmony of ecology without the use of synthetic chemicals and artificial fertlilisers. This they achieve through enhancing consumer confidence through the development of standards and the provision of inspection and certification services.
The standards of ACT were developed from the grass roots and remain practical for Thai farmers whilst meeting international market requirements.
ACT is registered as a Foundation in Thailand and its logo (a design based upon ears of paddy rice) is a protected mark. A Foundation Board, appointed from representatives of various sectors of stakeholders, are in charge of ACT policy. An Executive Board, appointed by the Foundation Board, oversee the day-to-day work of ACT secretariat led by a General Manager
Although rice is a main product from ACT operators, a wide range of tropical fruits and out of season vegetables such as baby corn, asparagus, are now available along with an interesting range of wild herbs and wild honey.
ACT have focused attention on providing certification services to small-holder producers through the grower group certification with the internal control systems which operates fully in line with IFOAM Norms on smallholder certification.
Current focus is in Thailand but ACT are now providing inspection services with local inspectors throughout South East Asia on contract to other certification bodies.
ACT run one certification programme covering crop production, processing, wild products, input manufacturing, aquaculture and smallholder groups.
In 2004 ACT were reevaluated against IFOAM Norms and were also granted ISO/IEC Guide 65 accreditation by IOAS in February 2005.
Ms Panjaporn Sitbunloam - CEO
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Last updated:
27/01/2010
ORGANIC
AGRICULTURE CERTIFICATION THAILAND
619/43 Kiatngamwong Building (1st floor),
Ngamwongwan Road,
Tambon Bangkhen Muaung
Nonthaburi 11000
Thailand
Tel: +66 2 952 6677 Fax: +66 2 580 0934
Email: info@actorganic-cert.or.th
Web: www.actorganic-cert.or.th
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