What is meant by the term “organic”?

Organic agriculture is a production system that sustains the health of soils, ecosystems and people. It relies on ecological processes, biodiversity and cycles adapted to local conditions, rather than the use of inputs with adverse effects. Organic agriculture combines tradition, innovation and science to benefit the shared environment and promote fair relationships and a good quality of life for all involved.

Source: Definition of “Organic Agriculture” approved in March 2008 by the World Board of the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM)

Is the term 'Organic' legally protected?

In Australia, the term organic is defined by law and regulated by the AQIS – the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service. Under the National Organic Standard, all organic food production and processing is governed by a strict set of internationally recognised rules – see National Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Produce

What is meant by the term Biodynamic?

Biodynamic is an enhanced form of organic farming. Biodynamic Certification is widely regarded as the strictest and purest of all agricultural certification standards.

The Bio-Dynamic Agricultural Method developed from advice and instruction given from 1922 to 1925, by the scientist and philosopher, Rudolf Steiner. In 1924 Steiner gave a series of lectures, addressing the situation of Agriculture in direct response to requests on how to reverse the problems of loss of vitality in crops - which had became noticeable since the introduction of chemical fertilisers. These series of lectures later became known as the "Agricultural Course".

Many Australian, as well as European and other country, farmers have embraced this practical application of the Bio-Dynamic Method, which, if correctly applied, does not rely on large, or even any, amounts of off farm inputs. The results of their efforts are clearly visible in the humus formation and soil re-structuring that occurs on their farms, often in a very short space of time.

In Australia, The Bio-Dynamic Research Institute, which was founded in 1957, is involved in research of the Bio-Dynamic Agricultural Method. In 1967 it was vested with the rights and supervision of the DEMETER Trademark in Australia. Part of this role is the certification of DEMETER quality products.

DEMETER quality requires more than just the use of organic fertilisers. DEMETER Bio-Dynamic certification requires a basic soil structure and plant development, where every aspect of general farm management and soil cultivation has to be reconsidered in the light of such insight. DEMETER quality Biodynamic farm practice produces healthy, living, structured soil. Healthy plants and animals are a result.

^ Back to Top

What is Organic Certification?

The organic certification program was set up in the 1980s in Australia to ensure that what was claimed to be organic indeed was just that. It required an independent setting of Standards and an independent team of assessors (known as auditors or inspectors) to ensure that farmers, processors and others in the production chain were complying with rules and regulations laid down by the organic community.

Australia does not have domestic legislation for the term and is unlikely for some years yet, so the only way to ensure something is organic – unless you produce it yourself – is to seek and rely on a certification mark to confirm that it has been independently certified to truly national and international Standards for organic production.

The label should state that the produce is certified organic or certified biodynamic. Look for the logo and name – for instance Australian Certified Organic. If it is not certified and carrying the logo you cannot be sure that the produce is organic. There should also be a unique certification number for each certified operation, along with a batch code or other traceable system such that each product can be traced back to their point of origin.

^ Back to Top

What is “Organic in Conversion”?

Farmers require a minimum of three years of organic management before they can carry a certification stating “A-level Organic” or “A-Grade Organic”.

There is a transitional certificate called “In Conversion to Organic” or “Organic in Conversion”, which can be borne after the first 12 months of organic production until this three-year period is complete.

In both instances, foods bearing either label confirm that those products are being produced organically on farm, but the “In Conversion” product has come from a farm that has been in the organic certification program and been producing organically for less time.

^ Back to Top

What do Producers do to maintain their Organic Certification?

• Annual audits and spot (unannounced) checks are carried out to ensure full compliance with the strict Organic Standard.
• Operators must maintain an OMP (Organic Management Plan) and report annually.
• There must be a clearly auditable trail of all product sold by a certified operator to prevent fraud.

How can I be sure that the products I buy from ecofy are really Organic?

We only sell Certified Australian Organic fresh produce from farmers whose operations have been carefully inspected by one of the independent Organic Certification Bodies accredited with the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS). The only non-Australian fresh produce item we currently sell is New Zealand Kiwi Fruit (which is Certified Organic by New Zealand’s Organic Certifying Body) when Australian Kiwi Fruit is not available.

All grocery food items we sell are also Certified Organic, but these may be sourced from overseas if they are not available locally (for example, Coconut Oil, which is currently not produced in Australia comes from the Pacific Islands) or if the local product is too difficult or expensive to source.

Australian products will be certified by one of the handful of Australian certifiers, while imported products will be certified by the relevant country’s Organic Certifying Body, the major ones of which are listed below.  

Many of the non-food grocery items we sell, such as body care and cleaning products, contain Certified Organic ingredients, but are not 100% Certified Organic. They do not contain the harmful petrochemicals and other synthetic chemicals present in conventional products and are based primarily on renewal plant and mineral-based ingredients.

Our Organic Fibres will also be certified by the relevant Australian or International Certifier.

^ Back to Top

Who are the Organic Certifying Bodies in Australia?

	www.ausqual.com.au Aus-Qual Pty Ltd (AQ)
	www.australianorganic.com.au Australian Certified Organic (ACO). This is the certification arm of Biological Farmers of Australia (BFA).
	www.bfa.com.au Biological Farmers of Australia Co-Op Ltd (BFA)
	www.demeter.org.au The Bio-Dynamic Research Institute (BDRI) and the DEMETER Trademark.
	www.nasaa.com.au The National Association for Sustainable Agriculture, Australia (NASAA)
	www.organicfoodchain.com.au The Organic Food Chain Pty Ltd (OFC)
	www.organicgrowers.org.au Organic Growers of Australia Certified Ltd (OGA)
	www.tasorganicdynamic.com.au Tasmanian Organic-Dynamic Producers Incorporated (TOP)

^ Back to Top

Do you sell products imported from overseas?

Yes. Some of our grocery products and fibres are sourced from overseas when it is not possible to source the equivalent Australian product.

Are your imported products Certified Organic?

Yes. Accreditation will be by one of the organic certifiers in the relevant country or region.

Who are the major International Organic Certifying Bodies?

	www.ifoam.org International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) IFAOM Information Brochure: http://www.ifoam.org/about_ifoam/pdfs/IFOAM_GI_screen_en.pdf
	http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/organic/home_en European Union Organic Farming, European Union
	www.soilassociation.org Soil Association Certification Ltd, Great Britain
	www.imo.ch/imo_services_organic_jas_standard_en.html Japanese Agricultural Standard, Japan
	www.skal.com/Engels/LinkjesUK/Organisation.htm SKAL, Netherlands
	www.organiccertification.co.nz AsureQuality Limited, New Zealand
	http://www.ams.usda.gov USDA National Organic Program, United States
	www.oeko-tex.com Oeko-TexStandard 100, Austria

^ Back to Top

• > Fresh Produce
• > Meat
• > Super Foods & Supplements
• > Organic Cotton
• > Personal Care
• > Baby Products
• > Groceries
• > Cleaning Products
• > Staples