Organic Certifier, QAI, Receives European Accreditation

Quality Assurance International (QAI), a private certifier of more than 500 companies for compliance to strict organic standards, has received VBP (Verein zur Begutachtung von Prufstellen) accreditation for its organic verification practices. It is the only certification organization in North America to receive VBP accreditation. The news means QAI certified companies and products are safely in compliance for the EU deadline of June 30, which mandated that importers of organic products achieve one of three accreditation options or face a stoppage into the EU.

"This is an incredible victory for expansion of organic trade," said Joseph Smillie, QAI's senior vice president. "Just weeks ago most of the organic industry was tied in knots in a race to keep a trade window pried open for organic exports to Europe. Now, an entire door has just opened wide."

QAI initiated its pursuit of option three of EU guidelines last September when it began an evaluation process with VBP. In addition to scrutinizing the company's certification documents and procedures, VBP sent an independent auditor from January 10 to 18 to QAI headquarters to review client records and into the field to inspect farms and manufacturing plants in the United States and Mexico. The auditor then filed a report with the VBP review board, which includes a German state regulatory official and organic experts.

"QAI's accreditation by VBP greatly facilitates increased market opportunity while assuring the highest standards of organic integrity and consumer protection," said Gary Hirshberg, president and CEO for Stonyfield Farm, the largest US manufacturer of organic yogurt. Smillie sees the VBP accreditation as a catalyst for greater organic commerce on several levels. "...this goes beyond the obvious advantages to QAI-certified clients. Interest among North American businesses in accessing the enormous EU market has been profound in recent years. This accreditation will enhance hundreds of companies' ability to enter the dynamic EU marketplace by eliminating the confusion and trade barriers that existed previously.''

Quality Assurance International is one of the leading private and professional certifiers of organic foods, fibers and food products in North America.