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IFOAM
Seal
What is it?
The IFOAM Seal was launched
by IFOAM in 1999 and is a visual mark of the accreditation status of
certification bodies active in organic agriculture. The IFOAM Seal consists
of the IFOAM logo and the word ACCREDITED (see right) and is designed to be
presented as part of your own logo.
What does it mean?
The IFOAM Seal is a mark
indicating the integrity of the certification of the product. In an
ever-increasing global market it answers the consumers question ‘How do I
know its really organic’ by providing a guarantee that the certification
process has observed stringent requirements verified by one independent,
international body, the IOAS. It’s a global organic guarantee.
How can it be used?
The IFOAM Seal can be used on
product labelling and related promotional material by all operators of IFOAM
accredited certification bodies, but only if they (the operator) are part of
the IFOAM Accredited programme. The certification body itself can also use
the IFOAM Seal on letterheads and their own promotional material. It must
only be used in the format agreed in the contract signed with IOAS.
What does it cost?
NOTHING. The cost of the
Seal is fully incorporated into the IFOAM accreditation system.
Can we charge our
licensees?
The Seal Licensing Agreement
states that the Seal must be offered to all your operators without
discrimination and without special fees. If you wish to recover any
administrative costs these must be included in your normal fees.
How is it administered?
The IFOAM Seal is
administered by the IOAS, under contract from IFOAM. IFOAM Accredited
certification bodies must sign a Seal Licensing Agreement with IOAS which
permits them to sub-license use of the IFOAM Seal to all their operators who
operate within the scope of the accreditation. Use of the IFOAM Seal by the
operator is governed by a separate agreement based on standard language
provided by the IOAS.
Can it be applied to all
products that we certify?
The IFOAM Seal can be used
by all your operators that are certified under the scope of your
accreditation and are covered by the IFOAM Norms. Similarly if you provide
certification to other standards, such as the EU Regulation, these operators
may not use the IFOAM Seal, unless they are also certified under your IFOAM
accredited programme.
What about products and
ingredients not originally certified by ourselves?
If your accreditation scope
includes ‘Certification Transference’, then all products may carry the
IFOAM Seal. If ‘Certification transference’ is not currently included in
your accreditation scope, then the IFOAM Seal may only be used on products,
in which all ingredients are certified directly by you or, have been ‘recertified’
by you in line with the IFOAM criteria for individual product
recertification.
Can we apply if we are
applicants for IFOAM Accreditation?
If your evaluation process
is nearing completion you should begin putting together the application for
use of the Seal (see ‘Steps to Apply for Use of the
IFOAM Seal’) so that your accreditation contract and appended Seal
Licensing Agreement can be prepared at one time.
Is the IFOAM Seal
protected?
The IFOAM Seal is the
property of IFOAM. The IFOAM name has been registered in Germany and in the
USA and is being registered in Japan. The Seal Licensing Agreement requires
IFOAM to maintain ownership and to protect against misuse. IFOAM and IOAS
have both set aside funds to use in such event.
How do we apply?
Please see the separate
guidelines - ‘Steps to Apply for Use the IFOAM Seal’
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