AgriQuality assists organic exports to Japan
We are pleased to announce that AgriQuality has been given interim Recognised Foreign Certification Organisation (RFCO) status with Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) – facilitating organic certification to JAS (Japan Agricultural Standard).
RFCO status will mean that AgriQuality can offer its customers direct access to the Japanese Organic Market – without the need to go through a Japanese certifier.
“Each year we are seeing international consumption of organic products continue to increase dramatically – and Asia is no exception,†says Andrew Baines, AgriQuality’s General Manager of Certification and Quality Assurance. “This has led to countries, like Japan, developing their own national standards in an effort to validate label claims and substantiate sustainability attributes, for both domestic production and import of organic products.â€Â
“Combined with our recognition as a residue testing expert by the Japanese MAFF, RFCO status will allow our customers a direct route to this market and supports our commitment to the New Zealand Organics Industry. There is no doubt that this new development will assist in maintaining the on-going export of organic produce to Japan.â€Â
AgriQuality is the most accredited supplier of independent auditing, inspection and testing services to the food and agricultural sectors in the Southern Hemisphere. The AgriQuality Standard is based on internationally recognised guidelines and is accredited by the world’s leading organic organisation IFOAM, ensuring market access to the USA, European Union, Australia, South East Asia, the UK and Japan.
As well as holding IFOAM accreditation, AgriQuality is also accredited to ISO Guide 62, 65, 66, 17020 and 17025 and certifies to BRC and EUREPGAP standards, amongst others. These accreditations support Government-to-Government assurances and international market access requirements.
With over 100 years’ experience in the agricultural sector, AgriQuality is now the Southern Hemisphere’s largest certification body of its type. The company employs 850 people and owns a network of nine laboratories in New Zealand and Australia.
RFCO status will mean that AgriQuality can offer its customers direct access to the Japanese Organic Market – without the need to go through a Japanese certifier.
“Each year we are seeing international consumption of organic products continue to increase dramatically – and Asia is no exception,†says Andrew Baines, AgriQuality’s General Manager of Certification and Quality Assurance. “This has led to countries, like Japan, developing their own national standards in an effort to validate label claims and substantiate sustainability attributes, for both domestic production and import of organic products.â€Â
“Combined with our recognition as a residue testing expert by the Japanese MAFF, RFCO status will allow our customers a direct route to this market and supports our commitment to the New Zealand Organics Industry. There is no doubt that this new development will assist in maintaining the on-going export of organic produce to Japan.â€Â
AgriQuality is the most accredited supplier of independent auditing, inspection and testing services to the food and agricultural sectors in the Southern Hemisphere. The AgriQuality Standard is based on internationally recognised guidelines and is accredited by the world’s leading organic organisation IFOAM, ensuring market access to the USA, European Union, Australia, South East Asia, the UK and Japan.
As well as holding IFOAM accreditation, AgriQuality is also accredited to ISO Guide 62, 65, 66, 17020 and 17025 and certifies to BRC and EUREPGAP standards, amongst others. These accreditations support Government-to-Government assurances and international market access requirements.
With over 100 years’ experience in the agricultural sector, AgriQuality is now the Southern Hemisphere’s largest certification body of its type. The company employs 850 people and owns a network of nine laboratories in New Zealand and Australia.