Specific Trade Practices

Under this program, QCS, as a part of its organic review and inspection of the operation, will also verify up to 6 additional objectively verifiable claims regarding the process or practices of the operation. For example, some operations like third party verification of their own in-house fair trade practices. The certification could also be used to verify specific ingredient formulations or other production aspects for compliance with external contract requirements. 

The applicant provides the claims that they wish to have verified. So long as they are objectively verifiable, QCS will assess them during the organic auditing and review process and, if verified, issue an appropriate certificate. The key is that the claims must be subject to objective verification and must be self contained. For example, a claim that a coffee roaster is "Fair Trade Compliant" would not be available under this certification, because it is either not an objective statement (“what is ‘fair trade’?") or it is not self-contained (it requires incorporation, by reference, of other standards).  Further, QCS will not allow the specific trade practices verified to be named on the certificate (i.e. John's Fair Trade Coffee Practices)--all certificates can contain only the title "Specific Trade Practices" and then the claims verified.

To apply for Specific Trade Practices certification to accompany the organic certification process, simply include a cover letter requesting the service, along with a description of the claims (up to 6) that are submitted for verification. During the initial review of the file, the staff will also review these claims to ensure they are objectively verifiable, self-contained, and not otherwise misleading or inappropriate. If we encounter problems with the claims, QCS will contact the client and work with them to refine the claims. The claims themselves will be verified during the audit and the subsequent final review. In cases where verification of the claims requires substantial additional time during the inspection, an applicant can expect this time to be reflected in the ultimate cost of the inspection fee.

Fees:

$50.00/hour for first four hours of review subsequent review will be at @40.00/hr +Inspection costs(usually inspection is done with your organic inspection).