Consumers can soon be confident that the organic products they choose are truly organic as the development of an Australian Standard for the organic and biodynamic industry nears completion.
Once finalised, the Australian Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Products will establish one uniform Standard to address industry needs, government needs and consumer uncertainty around marketing and labelling claims on organic products.
Standards Australia will release the draft Australian Standard for public comment next week.
It will stipulate requirements for the production, preparation, transportation, marketing and labelling of organic and biodynamic products.
It places particular emphasis on farming and management practices which promote the use of renewable resources and conservation of soil, water and energy resources.
Unprocessed products from plants, animals and fungi such as fruit, vegetables, meat, poultry, mushroom and fibres, as well as processed products such as processed food, cosmetics and skincare products which are labelled ‘organic’ are covered.
Deputy CEO of Standards Australia, Colin Blair, says the draft establishes minimum requirements to be met by growers and manufacturers for products that can be labelled ‘organic’ or ‘biodynamic’, creating a level playing field for growers, retailers and consumers.
“At the moment, consumers looking to buy organic products have no uniform guarantee of quality and integrity," he says.
"Growers and certifiers already adhering to the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service National Standard will not need to make major changes to their practices if they wish to comply with the voluntary Standard as the AQIS Standard forms the basis of the draft Australian Standard.”
The draft standard:
• Provides clear definitions about what is organic and what is not,
• Protects consumers against unsubstantiated claims and misleading labelling,
• Protects growers against misinterpretation and misleading use of organic agricultural practices and the term ‘organic’,
• Provides a guide for farmers considering conversion to organic farming.
Members of the public and interested parties are encouraged to review the documents and provide feedback to Standards Australia by September 22.
Standards Australia is working towards publishing the Australian Standard by December 2008.
There are currently no laws regulating agricultural practice and management of domestically-sold organic products or the use of marketing claims on organic products.
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