CERES Policy
Inspection and certification are necessary to assure fair competition between the producers of goods, for which a claim for an additional value is made. Through higher transparency and traceability within all production steps, it also provides a clearer profile to the market of these products. Consequently, consumers' trust in food safety and environmentally sound production methods of the certified products is enhanced.
CERES´ objective is to offer competent, transparent and efficient certification services in order to build up the before mentioned trust in the certified products.
CERES´ inspection and certification services are based upon the respective governmental and private standards, such as regulation EEC 2092/91, USDA-NOP Final Rule, Japanese Agricultural Standard for the production of organic Foodstuff (JAS) and EurepGAP Protocol for fresh fruit and vegetable production. Additionally, CERES provides inspection services to several national or international private standards (such as Demeter, Naturland, Biosuisse, Soil Association, QAI, etc.).
CERES will maintain its staff and clients informed about mayor changes of the standards.
CERES´ staff is well trained and experienced in the application of the standards. Conflicts of interest are avoided, as no strong personal or business relationship between the inspector and the certified operator is tolerated. To maintain a high level of personal integrity and professional knowledge, CERES´ staff is obliged to participate regularly in internal or external training workshops. Both – staff and management – are committed to respect the provisions of the Quality Manual and its related procedures and documents. Both provide their knowledge and experience to further develop the Quality Management System.
The CERES´ Quality Manager is responsible for the planning, supervision and the improvement of the Quality Management System. Constant review of the implemented procedures will lead to their improvement, to meet CERES´ objectives of Expertise, Transparency and Efficiency.
CERES´ offers its services indiscriminately to every interested party.
CERES does not provide technical assistance or consultancy services in production related areas to CERES-certified operators. It only offers appropriate know-how in what refers to the correct implementation of the standards, as far as this is relevant for the respective operator. Of course, CERES is not involved in any kind of trade activity.
CERES seeks the cooperation and exchange of knowledge with other certification bodies in order to harmonise the interpretation and application of the respective standards. This supports a high quality level in standards interpretation and application.
CERES enhances the production and trade of environmentally sound produced agricultural goods by offering a competent, transparent and efficient certification system to all the stakeholders involved in the production chain. By seeking active participation in the development and interpretation of the legal requirements CERES tries to assure applicability of the standards to environmentally sound production systems.
