QUALITY

CONTROL
STANDARDS
UNIT IV
 TOPICS
1. International Federation of Organic
Agriculture Movement (IFAOM) Basic
Standards
2.International standards
3.Philippine National Standards/BAF’S
Certification
 Objectives
• Identify the key quality control standards in organic agriculture,
including IFOAM Basic Standards, major international regulations
(e.g., EU Organic, USDA NOP), and the Philippine National
Standards (PNS/BAFS).
• Explain the importance of third-party certification, inspection,
documentation, and input regulation in maintaining the integrity
and trustworthiness of organic products.
• Evaluate the role of quality control in protecting consumers,
promoting fair trade, enabling market access, and sustaining
environmentally responsible organic practices.
IFOAM -
International
Federation of
Organic Agriculture
Movement, Basic
Standards
• Set global baseline for organic
farming, processing and
certification

Key Pillars: Health, Ecology,

Fairness and care
 Certification Requirement
IFOAM requires that organic producers and processors be
certified by independent, third-party certification bodies.
These bodies must operate impartially and follow strict
inspection and verification processes.
•Annual on-site inspections are mandatory.
•Unannounced inspections may be conducted to check for
hidden violations.
•Certification bodies must be accredited under the IFOAM
Accreditation Program to ensure consistency and credibility.
 Record Keeping
All certified operators are required to maintain
complete records of their operations.
This includes:
•Inputs used (seeds, fertilizers, feeds)
•Farming practices (crop rotation, pest control
methods)
•Harvest, storage, processing, packaging
•Sales and distribution
 Use of Inputs
IFOAM has a prohibited substances list and only allows the
use of natural or organically approved inputs.
Key rules:
•Synthetic chemicals (pesticides, fertilizers) are generally
banned.
•Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) are strictly
prohibited.
•Only inputs listed in the IFOAM-approved list can be used,
including for pest control, soil nutrition, and animal care
 Non-Compliance and Penalties
If a producer or processor is found to be violating the
standards, IFOAM-accredited certifiers must take appropriate
actions.
These may include:
•Issuing a warning
•Requiring corrective actions
•Suspending or revoking certification
•Downgrading affected products (they can’t be sold as
organic)
 Internal Control System (ICS)
for Group Certification
In developing countries, small farmers often form
cooperatives. IFOAM allows these groups to be certified
under a system called Internal Control System (ICS).
•The group must have its own internal inspection and
monitoring system.
•The external certifier audits the ICS rather than
inspecting every individual farm.
International Standards

Codex EU Organic
Alimentarius Regulation

USDA National
Organic
Program (NOP)
International standards for
organic agriculture serve to:
•Harmonize organic rules
across countries
•Facilitate global trade in
organic products
•Ensure consumer
protection and product
integrity
 Codex Alimentarius Guidelines
• Developed by the FAO and WHO
• Provides a global reference point for food
safety and organic labeling
• Covers both crop and livestock
production, as well as labeling
requirements
• Forms part of WTO regulations, making it
important for international trade

• Codex as the global blueprint for organic principles

 USDA National Organic
Program (NOP) – United
States
A federally regulated organic system under the U.S.
Department of Agriculture
•Based on the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990
Requires:
•Certification by USDA-accredited agencies
•Organic System Plan (OSP) from each farm/processor
•Annual inspections and documentation
•Organic products must display the USDA Organic seal
The USDA Organic system has strict enforcement, and violations can lead to fines and legal action
 European Union Organic
Regulation (EU Organic)
• Enforced by Regulation (EU) 2018/848 and its
implementing acts Covers:
• Production and processing methods
• Inspection and certification
• Approved input lists
• Labeling laws (e.g., the green EU Organic Leaf
logo)
• EU organic products must display the EU Organic logo and meet full
traceability.
Why Are These
Standards
Important?
1. They ensure consistency in organic
labeling across borders.
2. They provide consumer confidence that
the product was grown and processed
without harmful chemicals or GMOs.
3. They allow countries like the Philippines
to export organic products to big
markets like the EU and USA, if local
certification meets equivalence.
 Philippine
National
Standards/BAF’S
Certification
 What is PNS/BAFS?
•PNS = Philippine National
PNS/BAFS Standard for Organic
Quality Agriculture
•BAFS = Bureau of
Control Agriculture and Fisheries
Framework Standards under the
Department of Agriculture
Certification Bodies
Only BAFS-accredited certification bodies (CBs) can
issue organic certifications.
These CBs must:
• Be impartial and independent
• Follow strict inspection protocols
• Report to BAFS for compliance monitoring
Inspection & Auditing
All certified farms and processors must undergo at
least one annual on-site inspection. CBs may also
conduct random or unannounced inspections if
needed. Inspectors verify compliance with:
• Farming methods
• Input use
• Record-keeping
• Post-harvest handling
Record Keeping
Operators must keep complete and accurate records
of:
• Inputs used (fertilizers, pest control)
• Crop and livestock management
• Harvest and storage
• Sales and labeling
• Records must be kept for at least 5 years for
traceability and auditing
Product Separation
Organic products must be clearly separated
from non-organic at all stages:
•Production
•Harvest
•Storage
•Transport and packaging
Product Separation
This includes:
•Using separate tools/equipment or
cleaning them thoroughly
•Labelling all organic containers correctly
•Keeping organic items in clearly marked
storage areas
Input Control
• Only BAFS-approved inputs (e.g., natural
fertilizers, botanical pesticides) can be
used.
• GMOs and synthetic chemicals are
prohibited.
• Inputs must be verified during inspection
and documented in farm records.
Group Certification
Smallholder farmers can be certified as a
group using an Internal Control System (ICS).
The group must:
• Conduct internal inspections
• Keep records for each member
• Have trained ICS managers
Sanctions and Non-Compliance
If a certified farm or business violates the standards,
the certifying body or BAFS may:
•Issue a warning or require corrective actions
•Suspend or revoke certification
•Downgrade the product (it can’t be sold as
organic)
•In severe cases, apply legal sanctions under RA
10068 (Organic Agriculture Act of 2010)
Why Quality
Control
Matters?
✓Protects consumer trust
✓Prevents fraud
✓Ensures health and
environmental standards are
upheld
✓Facilitates trade in local and
international markets
✓Protects consumer trust
✓Prevents fraud
✓Ensures health and
environmental standards are
upheld
✓Facilitates trade in local and
international markets
✓Protects consumer trust
✓Prevents fraud
✓Ensures health and
environmental standards are
upheld
✓Facilitates trade in local and
international markets
✓Protects consumer trust
✓Prevents fraud
✓Ensures health and
environmental standards are
upheld
✓Facilitates trade in local and
international markets
“Organic isn’t just a
label — it’s a promise.
Quality control is what
keeps that promise
honest.”
1. What is the main goal of quality control in organic agriculture?
A. To increase yield
B. To ensure authenticity and compliance with organic standards
C. To promote genetically modified crops
D. To reduce the cost of production
2. Which international organization sets the basic framework for organic agriculture standards globally?
A. WHO B. FAO C. IFOAM D. USDA
3. Which of the following is NOT allowed under IFOAM standards?
A. Use of compost
B. Use of crop rotation
C. Use of synthetic pesticides
D. Use of biological pest control
4. What is the role of third-party certification in organic agriculture?
A. To develop new fertilizers
B. To audit and verify compliance with organic standards
C. To increase the use of chemicals
D. To sell products directly
5. What does BAFS stand for in the Philippine organic agriculture system?
A. Bureau of Agricultural Food Standards
B. Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Standards
C. Bureau of Accredited Farmers' Systems
D. Bureau of Agro-Farming Services
6. Which of the following is a valid international standard for organic agriculture?
A. Codex Alimentarius B. ISO 9001 C. HACCP D. WTO SPS
7.What is the purpose of the Internal Control System (ICS) under group certification?
A. To monitor trade prices
B. To allow small farmers to collectively access certification
C. To create a marketing plan
D. To sell products in supermarket
8. Which agency regulates the National Organic Program (NOP) in the United States?
A. EPA B. FDA C. USDA D. CDC
9. Under the PNS/BAFS system, what is required for traceability?
A. Use of online marketing
B. Use of certified seeds only
C. Proper record-keeping and documentation
D. Daily weather reports
10. What happens when a certified organic operator violates the standards?
A. They are promoted
B. They receive a bonus
C. Certification can be suspended or revoked
D. They automatically become exempt from inspections