Certification of Inputs (plant protection products, fertilizers, etc.)

Conducting certification and confirmation of Inputs for the production and circulation of organic products are one of our main activities, in which we have an extensive experience.

Inputs refer to plant protection products, fertilizers, ameliorants and inoculants, feed materials and additives, cleaning and disinfection agents, zootechnical products, and other products for animal husbandry, technological additives and materials for processing and packaging, etc., which are permitted for use in organic production according to the requirements of the standards.

Certification and confirmation of inputs and methods are carried out according to the private standard by Organic Standard, which considers the requirements of the EU Organic Regulation and Canada Organic Regime.

The range of certified and approved inputs for organic production by Organic Standard is extensive and covers over 600 products and almost 200 producers and distributors.

Certification and confirmation are conducted through the verification and establishment of compliance with production methods and/or the products themselves according to the requirements of organic standards. Upon successful completion, the client receives a Certificate or Confirmation for use in organic production. Additionally, we include information about the products and the producer or distributor in the List of Inputs and Methods Permitted for Use in Organic Production, which is updated annually.

Organic Standard provides a comprehensive range of services that encompass inspections and certification based on various standards and ongoing support for the Operator during the entire certification process. We place great importance on the expertise of our specialists and continuously enhance their skills and qualifications. As a result, this approach allows us to deliver high-quality service to our clients.

Requirements for Inputs

The general requirements for organic inputs are as follows:

• Inputs can be of plant, animal, microbial, or mineral origin, with exceptions specified by organic standards.
• The use of non-renewable resources and non-agricultural products shall be minimized.
• The use of GMOs, GMO derivatives, or products produced from genetically modified organisms is prohibited.
• Preference shall be given to biological, mechanical, and physical methods of producing inputs.
• Active substances in inputs shall come from the list of substances allowed by organic standards (usually as appendices). Technological additives and ‘inert’ components (co-formulants) added to the final product to enhance its physical properties are also considered as inputs.
• Manufacturing, use, and disposal of input substances shall not harm the environment.
• The active substance in the input shall have the least negative impact on human or animal health and the least impact on the environment compared to alternative substances.
• Restrictions on the use of inputs include inputs from organic production, natural substances, or substances obtained naturally, and sparingly soluble mineral fertilizers.
• The use of chemically synthesized substances shall be restricted.
• The use of non-renewable resources and non-agricultural products shall be minimized.
• Plants shall primarily obtain nutrients through soil ecosystems rather than through soluble fertilizers applied to the soil; the use of mineral nitrogen fertilizers in crop production is not allowed.
• The use of materials from intensive animal farming is prohibited.
• Producers shall ensure separation (in time and space) between certified and non-certified production, with particular attention to risks of mixing.