Information for Verification Bodies
The Union's verification system relies as much as possible on existing mechanisms. As such, it has avoided developing an accreditation mechanism and relies on systems that have demonstrated their adequacy for carrying out verification in the framework of the Union. Field-tests with different verification bodies, pertaining to different accreditation/endorsement systems, have been carried out in several countries in Latin America and Africa. Based on these experiences, the following basic requirements have been established:
Supporting documents
The following documents are available for the Union’s members, verification bodies and support organisations:
- Guidance for the application of the BioTrade Verification, Framework for Native Natural Ingredients, Union for Ethical BioTrade (UEBT), 2007-09-20.
- BioTrade Verification Framework for Native Natural Ingredients, Union for Ethical BioTrade (UEBT), IS 2007-09-20
- Cadre de vérification pour le BioCommerce des ingrédients natifs naturels, Union pour le Biocommerce Ethique (UEBT) IS 2007-09-20
- Marco de verificación de Biocomercio para ingredientes naturales nativos, Unión para el Biocomercio Ético (UEBT) IS 2007-09-20.
- Critical path for producer organisations, Union for Ethical BioTrade, November 2006.
- UNCTAD BioTrade Initiative, BioTrade Principles and Criteria, UNITED NATIONS, New York and Geneva, 2007, UNCTAD/DITC/TED/2007/4 (English & Spanish).
Verification of producers
Accreditation under ISO/IEC Guide 65 (General Requirement for Bodies Operating Product Certification Systems) in relation to natural resource management, and recognized by an ethical certification scheme, with emphasis on the latter.
Rationale
Auditors need to be able to interpret the requirements of the Verification Framework in contexts that vary significantly and cannot all be described in a guidance document. They also need to assess whether the work plan for complying with the Verification Framework is realistic. For this reasons they need to be experienced in schemes verifying standards related to sustainable development.
Verification of buyers
Accreditation under ISO/IEC Guide 65, recognition by an ethical certification scheme, and conformity with ISO 19011 (Guidelines for quality and/or environmental management systems auditing), with emphasis on the latter.
Rationale
The transmission of the requirements of the Verification Framework from buyers up to producers relies intensively on the existence of effectively implemented management systems. Additionally, buyers can be fairly large and complex organisations. As such, auditors need to be trained in management system auditing, as well as being able to assess the effects of these systems on the ground.
Pre-qualified auditors
At the present time, as a result of field tests, the following ethical verification systems have been identified as responding to the Union’s requirements in terms of auditors’ qualification and accreditation:
- The Forest Stewardship Council:24 certification bodies, from small NGOs to transnational companies. Certification operational in 79 countries. Web:www.fsc.org
- The RainForest Alliance/ SAN (Sustainable Agriculture Network): 10 certification bodies in Latin America and USA, all NGOs. Certification operational in 19 countries (Latin America, Ethiopia, Indonesia and Philippines). Web:www.rainforest-alliance.org
Organisations that comply with the requirements above, and that are interested in becoming qualified verification bodies for the Union should send us a request to this effect. The request should provide insight in the experience and credentials of the applicant. The request will be evaluated by the Union. If positive, the applicant will be included in the roster of pre-qualified organisations. Please provide insight in your experience and credentials. The Union will come back to you and propose a process to achieve the status of qualified verification body, if applicable.
