The document discusses issues with the approval process for inputs in Canada's organic sector. It notes inconsistencies in approvals, a lack of information for farmers transitioning to organic, and redundancy between certification bodies and conformity verification bodies. Representatives from Canada, the US, Switzerland, and California then discuss their respective systems for approving inputs and potential solutions to the problems in Canada, including creating a single central database of approved inputs or having a single service provider.
Ready or Not, Here They Come Preparing For Phase 2 HIPAA Compliance Audits Resilient Systems
The next round of HIPAA compliance audits will now include business associates as well as covered entities. Compliance with the Privacy Rule, the Security Rule, and the Breach Notification Rule are all in scope, so documentation will be a key factor.
This webinar will provide best practices for covered entities under the HIPAA compliance audit. Learn what your organization can do to best prepare for the next round.
Our featured speakers for this webinar will be:
- Amy Derlink, Chief Privacy Officer, IOD Incorporated
- Gant Redmon, CIPP/US General Counsel & VP of Business Development, Co3 Systems
Are you a CIPP holder (CIPP/US, CIPP/C, CIPP/E, CIPP/G and CIPP/IT)? Attend this webinar for CPE credit.
This document discusses audits and inspections in clinical trials. It defines an audit as a systematic examination of trial activities and documents to determine compliance, while an inspection involves a regulatory review of documents, facilities, and resources related to a trial. The key differences between audits and inspections are that audits are conducted internally by sponsors or CROs, while inspections are done by regulatory authorities. Routine audits ensure compliance, while for-cause audits investigate non-compliance issues. Audits and inspections evaluate areas like personnel, trial conduct, documentation, drug accountability, and computer systems. Proper preparation and responding to document requests within time limits are important for audits and inspections.
This document discusses clinical trial audits and inspections. It defines an audit as a systematic and independent examination of trial activities and documents to determine compliance, while an inspection involves a regulatory review of documents, facilities, and resources related to a clinical trial. The key differences between audits and inspections are that audits are conducted internally by sponsors or CROs, while inspections are done by regulatory authorities. The document outlines what should be audited, including organizational structure, investigational products, IRB/EC activities, essential documents, laboratories, and computer systems. It provides guidance on pre-audit preparation and procedures during and after an audit or inspection.
The document provides an overview of a presentation about the Food Safety Modernization Act. It discusses the impetus for the act due to health risks from foodborne illness. It outlines key provisions such as requiring food facilities to evaluate hazards and have preventative control plans, increasing traceability and inspection requirements, and giving FDA mandatory recall authority. It also discusses how an ERP system called S2K Enterprise can help companies comply with the new regulations through features like import tracking, lot control, quality testing, and recall reporting.
The Canadian Organic Regime (COR) was designed to protect consumers, reduce confusion about organic definitions, facilitate access to markets requiring oversight, and support the Canadian domestic organic market. The COR is comprised of the Organic Products Regulations enforced by the Canada Organic Office of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, following the Canadian Organic Standards. Conformity Verification Bodies assess certification bodies, which conduct third-party verification of organic production systems through verification officers. The standards define organic product requirements and permitted substances lists. Equivalency agreements allow imports from countries with consistent regulatory systems. Ongoing challenges include funding the Permitted Substances List Committee.
Ready or Not, Here They Come Preparing For Phase 2 HIPAA Compliance Audits Resilient Systems
The next round of HIPAA compliance audits will now include business associates as well as covered entities. Compliance with the Privacy Rule, the Security Rule, and the Breach Notification Rule are all in scope, so documentation will be a key factor.
This webinar will provide best practices for covered entities under the HIPAA compliance audit. Learn what your organization can do to best prepare for the next round.
Our featured speakers for this webinar will be:
- Amy Derlink, Chief Privacy Officer, IOD Incorporated
- Gant Redmon, CIPP/US General Counsel & VP of Business Development, Co3 Systems
Are you a CIPP holder (CIPP/US, CIPP/C, CIPP/E, CIPP/G and CIPP/IT)? Attend this webinar for CPE credit.
This document discusses audits and inspections in clinical trials. It defines an audit as a systematic examination of trial activities and documents to determine compliance, while an inspection involves a regulatory review of documents, facilities, and resources related to a trial. The key differences between audits and inspections are that audits are conducted internally by sponsors or CROs, while inspections are done by regulatory authorities. Routine audits ensure compliance, while for-cause audits investigate non-compliance issues. Audits and inspections evaluate areas like personnel, trial conduct, documentation, drug accountability, and computer systems. Proper preparation and responding to document requests within time limits are important for audits and inspections.
This document discusses clinical trial audits and inspections. It defines an audit as a systematic and independent examination of trial activities and documents to determine compliance, while an inspection involves a regulatory review of documents, facilities, and resources related to a clinical trial. The key differences between audits and inspections are that audits are conducted internally by sponsors or CROs, while inspections are done by regulatory authorities. The document outlines what should be audited, including organizational structure, investigational products, IRB/EC activities, essential documents, laboratories, and computer systems. It provides guidance on pre-audit preparation and procedures during and after an audit or inspection.
The document provides an overview of a presentation about the Food Safety Modernization Act. It discusses the impetus for the act due to health risks from foodborne illness. It outlines key provisions such as requiring food facilities to evaluate hazards and have preventative control plans, increasing traceability and inspection requirements, and giving FDA mandatory recall authority. It also discusses how an ERP system called S2K Enterprise can help companies comply with the new regulations through features like import tracking, lot control, quality testing, and recall reporting.
The Canadian Organic Regime (COR) was designed to protect consumers, reduce confusion about organic definitions, facilitate access to markets requiring oversight, and support the Canadian domestic organic market. The COR is comprised of the Organic Products Regulations enforced by the Canada Organic Office of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, following the Canadian Organic Standards. Conformity Verification Bodies assess certification bodies, which conduct third-party verification of organic production systems through verification officers. The standards define organic product requirements and permitted substances lists. Equivalency agreements allow imports from countries with consistent regulatory systems. Ongoing challenges include funding the Permitted Substances List Committee.
Organic Council of Ontario 2016 AGM slidesCarolyn Young
The document summarizes the 2016 annual general meeting of the Organic Council of Ontario. The agenda includes presentations on check off work, updates from the Organic Trade Association, organic standards, and Ontario organic regulations. There will be small group discussions on developing an organic levy system and provincial organic regulation. The meeting provides updates on research into alternative funding models and compares regulations in Quebec, British Columbia, Manitoba, and New Brunswick. It also discusses options for small scale organic farmers and direct marketers in Ontario.
Simplify Your Background Check and Compliance ProcessNewton Software
Join Curt Schwall, Vice President of Compliance and Regulatory Affairs at EBI and learn what it takes to run a top-notch background check program that ensures you stay compliant.
This document discusses regulatory cooperation under the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) agreement between the EU and US, specifically regarding agrifood trade. It notes that while both sides share the goal of food safety, their regulatory approaches differ. The document outlines proposals for TTIP chapters on regulatory cooperation and sanitary and phytosanitary measures that emphasize mutual recognition and equivalence. However, it also acknowledges that previous regulatory cooperation efforts have had limited success and that claims of ambitious regulatory changes through TTIP were overstated and faced significant opposition.
Providing SharePoint Solutions in an FDA Regulated EnvironmentDeb Walther
This document discusses providing SharePoint solutions in a regulated FDA environment. It provides background on the FDA and drug approval process. It explains that computer systems used for clinical trials and drug development must be validated per 21 CFR Part 11. SharePoint can be used, but requires configuration in a separate isolated environment, change control, and validation documentation to ensure it meets regulatory requirements as an electronic records system. Documentation of installation, testing, and ongoing system management is necessary to comply with FDA regulations.
The problematic of certification and control for GIs, by Rainer Bächi (IMO Sw...ExternalEvents
http://www.origin-food.org/2005/upload/Bachi_Rom,%20FAO,%20Jan%2008.pdf
The problematic of certification and control for GIs, by Rainer Bächi (IMO Switzerland) (English)
Current Good Manufacturing Practices: Drug and Biologics Rachel Hamilton
ACI’s FDA Boot Camp has been designed to give products or patent litigators, as well as patent prosecutors, industry in-house counsel, and life sciences investment and securities experts, a strong working knowledge of core FDA competencies.
The document discusses the concerns developing countries face in meeting increasingly stringent environmental regulations in international trade. Case studies show regulations on agriculture, fisheries, leather and textiles can be expensive for small producers and developing countries to comply with. National responses and international cooperation are needed to help developing countries strengthen capacities to meet standards, disseminate information, and participate in standard setting. Technical assistance should help build long-term capacities to comply with environmental standards and enhance export competitiveness.
The document summarizes a presentation given by Mike Wallace and Marjella Alma of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) on the latest trends in sustainability reporting. It discusses how GRI reporting has grown significantly in recent years and is now used by the vast majority of large global companies. The presentation also outlines GRI's role and guidelines for sustainability reporting and highlights several developments, initiatives, and upcoming events related to GRI.
This document discusses trends in environmental, health and safety (EHS) regulations and quality standards. It provides examples of recent regulatory updates in various regions including international, European Union, Africa, Americas, China, and others. It then discusses the importance of an ISO 14001 compliant legal register for identifying and complying with applicable laws and regulations. Key aspects that should be included in a legal register like jurisdiction, revision dates, and links to business activities are presented. Effective legal registers must be actionable for employees, convertible to audit protocols, and help organizations demonstrate efforts to maintain compliance.
This document discusses ecolabels on consumer goods and proposes an approach to review hazard-based ecolabels. It finds that 65% of ecolabels are independently certified, 77% have public standards, and 56% require recertification within 1-2 years. Future research is proposed to compare ecolabel criteria and standards across several health and environmental endpoints. The review focuses on 144 ecolabels for cleaning products, cosmetics, and textiles, which make up 21% of total ecolabels. An initial screening methodology is outlined.
Grant Audit Readiness in a Pandemic Environmentnado-web
The massive amounts of federal assistance made available under the Coronavirus Assistance Relief and Economic Stability (CARES) Act and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) have ratcheted up federal government concerns about grant accountability. Congress reflected that when it significantly increased the budgets of the federal inspectors general whose jobs are to prevent and detect fraud, waste, and abuse in federal programs. But the first lines of defense that those federal auditors rely upon are the single audits that most federal grant recipients and subrecipients must arrange. The independent auditors who conduct those audits get their instructions from the Compliance Supplement, a hefty audit guide issued annually by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget. The Supplement identifies the grant requirements that must be tested and suggests ways for the auditors to determine compliance. So, those features clearly demonstrate to recipients and subrecipients, like RDOs, what to expect when single audits begin. This session will drill down on the sections of the Supplement that affect federal programs that most RDOs administer and will demonstrate how to be audit ready in this highly charged grant audit environment.
-Bob Lloyd, Principal, Robert M. Lloyd Consulting Services, Greenville, SC
-Moderator: Cindy Hultz, Executive Director, Mark Twain Regional Council of Governments, Perry, MO
Nancy King, IDEM, Hala Kuss, IDEM, Valerie Tachtiris, IDEM, Indiana Departmen...Kevin Perry
This document summarizes a presentation given at the Midwest Environmental Compliance Conference on October 29-30, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. The presentation provided an overview of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management's (IDEM) rules update, Compliance and Technical Assistance Program (CTAP) services, self-disclosure policy, and how the self-disclosure policy applies to Title V permit sources. Key points included how CTAP provides confidential assistance to help entities achieve compliance, the conditions to qualify for penalty relief under IDEM's self-disclosure policy, and limitations on Title V sources' ability to utilize the self-disclosure policy due to mandatory monitoring and reporting requirements.
Bg primary production workshop 4.06.2014marcusbiogro
This document provides an overview of the BioGro organic certification process. It discusses why farmers should choose BioGro certification, including access to international and domestic markets. It outlines the certification steps such as developing an organic management plan, additional documentation requirements, handling parallel production, using contractors, and the certification cycle. It also covers the input approval process, finding certified inputs, market access for regulated vs. unregulated markets, and the benefits of international vs. domestic certification. The overall purpose is to guide farmers through the BioGro certification requirements and process.
On 9/10 March, MCRB hosted a multistakeholder discussion on licensing and responsible business practices for gold mining in Sagaing Region bringing together government officials from the Mining, Forestry and Environmental Conservation Departments of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation (MONREC), General Administration Department (GAD), the Directorate of Investment and Companies Administration (DICA) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation (MoALI), together with parliamentarians from across Sagaing Region, including Homalin, Tigyaing , Kawlin, Wuntho, Indaw, and Pinlebu townships. They were joined in Monywa by local and international mining companies, civil society organisations and international NGOs and experts.
Read more: https://www.myanmar-responsiblebusiness.org/news/towards-responsible-gold-mining-sagaing-region.html
Size, complexity and nature of the organisation – a key to effective auditPECB
The document discusses issues with auditors demanding compliance beyond what is required for an organization. It provides two case studies of companies facing unreasonable audit findings due to auditors not properly considering the size and nature of the organizations. The document argues auditors must understand the auditee's business and ensure findings add value rather than complexity. It calls on auditors to challenge their own decisions and understand requirements vary depending on an organization's characteristics.
Mr Bjørn-Erik Lønn, Chairman, Global Eco-Labelling Network gave presentation on Global trends in Eco-labeling and Green Purchasing Behavior at CII-IGBC 15th Green Building Congress 2017 event at Jaipur
Part two of the compliance webinar series will be about customizing your solution to meet your specific needs in compliance. This will include the use of process extension and data import tools that assist with bringing all your compliance information into the Agile system.
#Yourstandardsyoursay Small-Scale SolutionsCarolyn Young
The #YourStandardsYourSay webinar series is a chance for organic stakeholders to learn about and get engaged in the Canadian Organic Standards review process. We're taking a closer look at some of the issues that are up for debate this review cycle. First up, we will consider the problems faced by small-scale organic farmers. What does small-scale organic look like, and how do the Canadian Organic Standards help (or harm) small-scale organic farmers? What are some solutions that could be implemented locally, provincially, or nationally to mitigate the challenges to small-scale producers.
Carolyn Young, Organic Council of Ontario, Executive Director
~Results from the Ontario small-scale certification solutions survey~
Tony McQuail, Meeting Place Organic Farm
~Recommendations from the OFC working group and reactions to findings~
Dave Lockman, Procert Certification Program Manager
~Procert's Local organic program and thoughts on national level changes~
Cameron Dale, Evergreen Brickworks Farmers' Market, Project Manager
~Evergreen Brickworks' farmers' market peer-to-peer verification pilot~
Rochelle Eisen, BC Organic expert and COG President
~Experiences with small-scale certification solutions in BC~
This document provides an overview and introduction to SOC 2 reporting. It discusses the background and popularity of SOC 2 reports, who service auditors and providers are, and why user entities need SOC reports. The agenda outlines that the document will cover the AICPA framework, purpose and scope of SOC 2, the anatomy of a SOC 2 report, considerations for obtaining a SOC 2 report, and how SOC 2 maps to other standards. It provides details on each of these sections.
OCO's Rebecca Minielly presented at OCO's 2020 Organic Day (March 11, 2020) on why and how we can establish stable funding for Ontario's organic sector.
On September 17, the Organic Council of Ontario hosted a webinar on proposed changes to the Canadian Organic Standards. Public comments will be accepted by the Canadian General Standards Board until September 30, 2019.
Panelists included: Hugh Martin, Rob Wallbridge, Joel Aitken, Norm Hansen, Rochelle Eisen, Simon Jacques, Nicole Boudreau
Organic Council of Ontario 2016 AGM slidesCarolyn Young
The document summarizes the 2016 annual general meeting of the Organic Council of Ontario. The agenda includes presentations on check off work, updates from the Organic Trade Association, organic standards, and Ontario organic regulations. There will be small group discussions on developing an organic levy system and provincial organic regulation. The meeting provides updates on research into alternative funding models and compares regulations in Quebec, British Columbia, Manitoba, and New Brunswick. It also discusses options for small scale organic farmers and direct marketers in Ontario.
Simplify Your Background Check and Compliance ProcessNewton Software
Join Curt Schwall, Vice President of Compliance and Regulatory Affairs at EBI and learn what it takes to run a top-notch background check program that ensures you stay compliant.
This document discusses regulatory cooperation under the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) agreement between the EU and US, specifically regarding agrifood trade. It notes that while both sides share the goal of food safety, their regulatory approaches differ. The document outlines proposals for TTIP chapters on regulatory cooperation and sanitary and phytosanitary measures that emphasize mutual recognition and equivalence. However, it also acknowledges that previous regulatory cooperation efforts have had limited success and that claims of ambitious regulatory changes through TTIP were overstated and faced significant opposition.
Providing SharePoint Solutions in an FDA Regulated EnvironmentDeb Walther
This document discusses providing SharePoint solutions in a regulated FDA environment. It provides background on the FDA and drug approval process. It explains that computer systems used for clinical trials and drug development must be validated per 21 CFR Part 11. SharePoint can be used, but requires configuration in a separate isolated environment, change control, and validation documentation to ensure it meets regulatory requirements as an electronic records system. Documentation of installation, testing, and ongoing system management is necessary to comply with FDA regulations.
The problematic of certification and control for GIs, by Rainer Bächi (IMO Sw...ExternalEvents
http://www.origin-food.org/2005/upload/Bachi_Rom,%20FAO,%20Jan%2008.pdf
The problematic of certification and control for GIs, by Rainer Bächi (IMO Switzerland) (English)
Current Good Manufacturing Practices: Drug and Biologics Rachel Hamilton
ACI’s FDA Boot Camp has been designed to give products or patent litigators, as well as patent prosecutors, industry in-house counsel, and life sciences investment and securities experts, a strong working knowledge of core FDA competencies.
The document discusses the concerns developing countries face in meeting increasingly stringent environmental regulations in international trade. Case studies show regulations on agriculture, fisheries, leather and textiles can be expensive for small producers and developing countries to comply with. National responses and international cooperation are needed to help developing countries strengthen capacities to meet standards, disseminate information, and participate in standard setting. Technical assistance should help build long-term capacities to comply with environmental standards and enhance export competitiveness.
The document summarizes a presentation given by Mike Wallace and Marjella Alma of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) on the latest trends in sustainability reporting. It discusses how GRI reporting has grown significantly in recent years and is now used by the vast majority of large global companies. The presentation also outlines GRI's role and guidelines for sustainability reporting and highlights several developments, initiatives, and upcoming events related to GRI.
This document discusses trends in environmental, health and safety (EHS) regulations and quality standards. It provides examples of recent regulatory updates in various regions including international, European Union, Africa, Americas, China, and others. It then discusses the importance of an ISO 14001 compliant legal register for identifying and complying with applicable laws and regulations. Key aspects that should be included in a legal register like jurisdiction, revision dates, and links to business activities are presented. Effective legal registers must be actionable for employees, convertible to audit protocols, and help organizations demonstrate efforts to maintain compliance.
This document discusses ecolabels on consumer goods and proposes an approach to review hazard-based ecolabels. It finds that 65% of ecolabels are independently certified, 77% have public standards, and 56% require recertification within 1-2 years. Future research is proposed to compare ecolabel criteria and standards across several health and environmental endpoints. The review focuses on 144 ecolabels for cleaning products, cosmetics, and textiles, which make up 21% of total ecolabels. An initial screening methodology is outlined.
Grant Audit Readiness in a Pandemic Environmentnado-web
The massive amounts of federal assistance made available under the Coronavirus Assistance Relief and Economic Stability (CARES) Act and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) have ratcheted up federal government concerns about grant accountability. Congress reflected that when it significantly increased the budgets of the federal inspectors general whose jobs are to prevent and detect fraud, waste, and abuse in federal programs. But the first lines of defense that those federal auditors rely upon are the single audits that most federal grant recipients and subrecipients must arrange. The independent auditors who conduct those audits get their instructions from the Compliance Supplement, a hefty audit guide issued annually by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget. The Supplement identifies the grant requirements that must be tested and suggests ways for the auditors to determine compliance. So, those features clearly demonstrate to recipients and subrecipients, like RDOs, what to expect when single audits begin. This session will drill down on the sections of the Supplement that affect federal programs that most RDOs administer and will demonstrate how to be audit ready in this highly charged grant audit environment.
-Bob Lloyd, Principal, Robert M. Lloyd Consulting Services, Greenville, SC
-Moderator: Cindy Hultz, Executive Director, Mark Twain Regional Council of Governments, Perry, MO
Nancy King, IDEM, Hala Kuss, IDEM, Valerie Tachtiris, IDEM, Indiana Departmen...Kevin Perry
This document summarizes a presentation given at the Midwest Environmental Compliance Conference on October 29-30, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois. The presentation provided an overview of the Indiana Department of Environmental Management's (IDEM) rules update, Compliance and Technical Assistance Program (CTAP) services, self-disclosure policy, and how the self-disclosure policy applies to Title V permit sources. Key points included how CTAP provides confidential assistance to help entities achieve compliance, the conditions to qualify for penalty relief under IDEM's self-disclosure policy, and limitations on Title V sources' ability to utilize the self-disclosure policy due to mandatory monitoring and reporting requirements.
Bg primary production workshop 4.06.2014marcusbiogro
This document provides an overview of the BioGro organic certification process. It discusses why farmers should choose BioGro certification, including access to international and domestic markets. It outlines the certification steps such as developing an organic management plan, additional documentation requirements, handling parallel production, using contractors, and the certification cycle. It also covers the input approval process, finding certified inputs, market access for regulated vs. unregulated markets, and the benefits of international vs. domestic certification. The overall purpose is to guide farmers through the BioGro certification requirements and process.
On 9/10 March, MCRB hosted a multistakeholder discussion on licensing and responsible business practices for gold mining in Sagaing Region bringing together government officials from the Mining, Forestry and Environmental Conservation Departments of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation (MONREC), General Administration Department (GAD), the Directorate of Investment and Companies Administration (DICA) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation (MoALI), together with parliamentarians from across Sagaing Region, including Homalin, Tigyaing , Kawlin, Wuntho, Indaw, and Pinlebu townships. They were joined in Monywa by local and international mining companies, civil society organisations and international NGOs and experts.
Read more: https://www.myanmar-responsiblebusiness.org/news/towards-responsible-gold-mining-sagaing-region.html
Size, complexity and nature of the organisation – a key to effective auditPECB
The document discusses issues with auditors demanding compliance beyond what is required for an organization. It provides two case studies of companies facing unreasonable audit findings due to auditors not properly considering the size and nature of the organizations. The document argues auditors must understand the auditee's business and ensure findings add value rather than complexity. It calls on auditors to challenge their own decisions and understand requirements vary depending on an organization's characteristics.
Mr Bjørn-Erik Lønn, Chairman, Global Eco-Labelling Network gave presentation on Global trends in Eco-labeling and Green Purchasing Behavior at CII-IGBC 15th Green Building Congress 2017 event at Jaipur
Part two of the compliance webinar series will be about customizing your solution to meet your specific needs in compliance. This will include the use of process extension and data import tools that assist with bringing all your compliance information into the Agile system.
#Yourstandardsyoursay Small-Scale SolutionsCarolyn Young
The #YourStandardsYourSay webinar series is a chance for organic stakeholders to learn about and get engaged in the Canadian Organic Standards review process. We're taking a closer look at some of the issues that are up for debate this review cycle. First up, we will consider the problems faced by small-scale organic farmers. What does small-scale organic look like, and how do the Canadian Organic Standards help (or harm) small-scale organic farmers? What are some solutions that could be implemented locally, provincially, or nationally to mitigate the challenges to small-scale producers.
Carolyn Young, Organic Council of Ontario, Executive Director
~Results from the Ontario small-scale certification solutions survey~
Tony McQuail, Meeting Place Organic Farm
~Recommendations from the OFC working group and reactions to findings~
Dave Lockman, Procert Certification Program Manager
~Procert's Local organic program and thoughts on national level changes~
Cameron Dale, Evergreen Brickworks Farmers' Market, Project Manager
~Evergreen Brickworks' farmers' market peer-to-peer verification pilot~
Rochelle Eisen, BC Organic expert and COG President
~Experiences with small-scale certification solutions in BC~
This document provides an overview and introduction to SOC 2 reporting. It discusses the background and popularity of SOC 2 reports, who service auditors and providers are, and why user entities need SOC reports. The agenda outlines that the document will cover the AICPA framework, purpose and scope of SOC 2, the anatomy of a SOC 2 report, considerations for obtaining a SOC 2 report, and how SOC 2 maps to other standards. It provides details on each of these sections.
OCO's Rebecca Minielly presented at OCO's 2020 Organic Day (March 11, 2020) on why and how we can establish stable funding for Ontario's organic sector.
On September 17, the Organic Council of Ontario hosted a webinar on proposed changes to the Canadian Organic Standards. Public comments will be accepted by the Canadian General Standards Board until September 30, 2019.
Panelists included: Hugh Martin, Rob Wallbridge, Joel Aitken, Norm Hansen, Rochelle Eisen, Simon Jacques, Nicole Boudreau
The document discusses a panel discussion on Canadian organic standards featuring several presenters moderated by Carolyn Young. The panel likely addressed topics such as the Canadian Organic Standards revision process, what animals should eat, where organic products should be sold, what is more important for livestock, and who should determine future organic standards.
Organic producers are eligible for coverage under Agricorp's business risk management programs and specialized production insurance. The Grain Financial Protection Program ensures stability in the Ontario grain trade by protecting producers and owners from dealer or elevator failures. It provides coverage of up to 95% for claims resulting from non-payment or inability to access stored grain within required timelines, with lower coverage levels for longer deferred payment arrangements. Producers must sell only to licensed entities and notify Agricorp immediately of any payment or storage issues in order to make a claim through the Grain Financial Protection Board.
This document summarizes a presentation on organic seed solutions in Canada. It discusses the current plant breeding system and proposed changes to royalty collection that could generate funds for breeding programs. For organic producers, existing varieties will remain available without royalties, but developing organic varieties faces the same challenges as conventional breeding due to limited public funding. Participatory plant breeding is highlighted as an alternative that has successfully developed wheat, oat and potato lines adapted for organic conditions. International agreements support farmers' rights to save and exchange seeds and strengthen on-farm breeding that conserves diversity for farmer-developed varieties.
This document summarizes information about traceability and environmental labeling in the food industry. It discusses how a central European organic product database called ECOINFORM works, including that it contains detailed information for each certified organic product. It also provides an example listing of all the specific data provided for an organic frozen lasagna product in the database, such as ingredients, allergens, nutrition facts, and distribution information. The benefits mentioned of such traceability systems are creating market distinction for sustainable farmers, educating consumers, and providing a market-based solution based on transparency.
Competing Labels: Understanding Other-Method-of-Production Labels for Meat an...Organic Council of Ontario
This document summarizes discussions from a panel on competing labels for meat and dairy production methods. It provides an overview of grass-fed certification programs in Canada and the US, including the Pro-Cert grass-fed standard. It then details Dairy Farmers of Ontario's interim grass-fed milk standard and work towards a national grass-fed milk standard. The document also discusses related consumer perception, cost of production and biomarker research. It concludes with next steps for the national grass-fed milk standard and an overview of regulatory compliance for method of production claims in meat, poultry and fish.
This document summarizes a presentation on soil health research highlights from the Organic Council of Ontario. It discusses definitions of soil health, key soil functions like energy, water, mineral and biodiversity cycles. It outlines measurements of soil carbon, organic matter, bulk density and water infiltration in managed versus unmanaged soils. For example, garden soil had higher soil organic carbon in managed areas. It promotes citizen science and community engagement in soil health. Finally, it describes the creation of a new nonprofit farm in Alfred, Ontario that will conduct organic dairy research.
The document discusses organic fraud and traceability issues. It notes that Turkey and the United Arab Emirates are hubs for organic fraud, with large Turkish companies and traders shipping grain and oilseeds to Europe with questionable organic certification. The EU has implemented a new database called TRACES to better monitor organic imports and ensure traceability, addressing issues found in past audits. There is also concern about goods redirected from Europe to the United States, bypassing stronger EU traceability rules. The document promotes implementing a similar traceability system for Canada to strengthen organic import controls and reduce fraud.
Allison Squires Presentation - #YourStandardsYourSay Parallel Production WebinarOrganic Council of Ontario
Allison Squires, from Upland Organics in Saskatchewan, participated in OCO's #YourStandardsYourSay webinar on possible changes to parallel production in the Canadian Organic Standards.
3. ● Canada Organic Regime (COR) Permitted Substances List
● Conformity verification bodies (CVBs)
● Certification bodies (CBs)
● Inputs approved as part of Organic Systems Plans (private list)
● Inputs approved for suppliers (public list)
Canada
4. ● Inconsistent approvals
● Redundancy of reviews
● Lack of info for transitioners
● Burden on operators and CBs
● Competition, confidentiality
and liability
The Trouble with Inputs
5. ● Other Jurisdictions
● Liability concerns
● Privacy concerns
● Options for Input Approval
Our Agenda:
6. ● National Organic Program (NOP) who acts as CVB
● Material Review Organizations (MROs):
○ Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA),
○ OMRI
○ California’s Organic Input Materials Program (OIM)
USA
7. ● Provides 40% of the organic food sold in the US
● Governed by State Organic Program & NOP
● Organic Input Material (OIM) Program
○ Public registry of organic fertilizers
○ ISO 17065 accredited
○ Accepted by CBs across the US
○ Result of a liquid fertilizer scandal
California
8. ● BioSuisse
● FiBL (Research Institute of Organic Agriculture) the sole verifier
○ Non-profit with government and private funding
○ Reduces issues re: dispute resolution, privacy and shared methodology
Switzerland
9. ● CFIA: Liability rests with CBs
● Good faith + diligence = not liable
● COR and ISO ensure CBs & CVBs have:
● legal agreements
● provisions to cover liability
● OMRI also has provisions
Liability
10. COR and ISO permit:
● Sharing info to “verify validity of
information on an operator.” (COR)
● Sharing of info when required by law
(ISO)
● Contracts to govern info sharing
between actors (ISO)
OMRI-CB contract permits sharing for:
● Legal proceedings
● Audits
● Compliance Disputes
● Requests from Regulatory Bodies
Privacy
11. Solutions Review
LONG TERM:
1) Status Quo: Let the market figure it out
2) Create one central database of inputs
● voluntary sharing by CBs
● CFIA mandated sharing
● CFIA requires suppliers to get reviewed
● CB’s public lists linked to one another
● Inputs as part of an organic integrity database
3) Single Service Provider
SHORT TERM:
1) Create a shared Methodology
2) Create a stronger dispute resolution process
12. ● Inconsistent/missing CVB oversight?
● Lack of clarity, depth in regulations
USA:
● “Recalibration Training”
● ACA developing best practices
● Strong culture of collaboration
Shared Methodology
13. ● CVBs
● Standards Interpretation
Committee (SIC)
USA:
● NOSB Subcommittee on
Materials/GMO
● NOP 3012: Lays out process for
dispute resolution
Dispute Resolution
14. Next Steps:
● Further interviews
● Focus Groups + Surveys
○ Suppliers
○ Producers
E-mail amy@organiccouncil.ca
to share your thoughts!
What is the Organic Value Chain Round Table (OVCRT) Inputs Task Force
Soil amendments are substances applied to the soil to improve fertility and tilth and to correct soil problems. Fertilizers, plant foods and soil amendments are primarily used for their plant nutrient content and may be applied to the soil or to plant foliage.
Crop production aids and materials (plastic mulch, pest traps, pest management substances, plant disease substances)
Feed, feed additives, and feed supplements
Livestock healthcare products and production aids (to maintain the health of the animal - remedies, medications, bedding )
Processing Materials (ingredients, food additives like wax or yeast, processing aids)
Cleaners, disinfectants and sanitizers
Facility management substances (pest control, post-harvest storage)
Canada Organic Regime (COR) Permitted Substances List
Conformity verification bodies (CVBs)
Certification bodies (CBs)
Inputs approved as part of Organic Systems Plans (private list)
Inputs approved by suppliers (public list)
Why are we looking at inputs:
Differing methodologies
inconsistent approvals for operators
Suppliers need to expend resources for multiple reviews
Lack of information for transitioners
Burden of cost of operators and CBs
In addition to difference in methodology, other factors that keep CBs from wanting to work together:
Competition for fees
Confidentiality concerns
Liability
Ask some Qs about how we might adapt what’s going on in other jurisdictions
Liability concerns for CBs in sharing approved input lists
Privacy concerns that hinder sharing of input information in the sector
Solutions
Developing a Shared Methodology for CBs doing input verification
Dispute Resolution when CBs come to different conclusions about inputs
Options to improve input approval
National Organic Program
No CVBS - the NOP Accreditation and International Activities (AIA) Division is responsible for accrediting CBs
MROs that comply with ISO 17065 deemed acceptable sources of input approval
MROs named by NOP 3012 Policy Memo on Material Review:
Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA)
OMRI
California Dept. of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Organic Input Materials Program (OIM)
California:
Provides 40% of the organic food sold in the US
Governed by State Organic Program & NOP - duplication
Inputs are handled is a similar manner to Canada
suppliers may pay for review by OMRI or CBs offering review services, or
inputs approved as part of the CB’s review of producer’s Organic Systems Plans
Organic Input Material (OIM) Program
Public registry of organic fertilizers
ISO 17065 accredited
Accepted by CBs across the US
Liquid Fertilizer
Used as an example of liability or lack of shared methodology
Really a case of fraud - using synthetic nitrogen and lying about it
No one held liable, except for supplier for fraud
Industry protected (many producers would have lost certification)
Led to greater requirements for inspection for liquid fertlizers
No one wanted to do it, so OMRI was used and eventually OIM
Majority of Swiss organic operators work under BioSuisse, an umbrella organization for organic farmers associations
BioSuisse has it’s own regulations, including a requirement to use FiBL
Non-profit with government and private funding
Reduces issues re: dispute resolution, privacy and shared methodology
Because FiBL’s list is public and has been part of the system as it developed, certifiers have had no interest in taking on their own verification programs. FiBL says this is because they saves them time “and risk”
Concerns over liability:
We’ve heard that they prevent CBs from accepting the decisions of other CBs and MROs
Creates duplication in material review efforts
Two things I’m hearing from Industry + CFIA:
Liability ultimately rests with CBs
That CBs who demonstrate that they have developed, adhered to and correctly applied procedures are not liable:
SFCA (59): “No person who exercises powers or performs duties or functions under this Act is liable in respect of anything done or omitted to be done in good faith in the exercise of those powers or the performance of those duties or functions.”
COR Operating Manual + ISO 17065:
CBs maintain responsibility if they outsource
CBs must have a legal agreement with producers
CBs must have provisions to cover liability
CVBs also must have provisions to cover liability
OMRI Certifier Subscription Service Agreement
OMRI agrees not to hold the CB liable if OMRI makes a mistake
The CB agrees not to hold OMRI liable if CB makes a mistake
OMRI maintains “current errors and omissions insurance policy at all times of no less than $1,000,000.”
When has liability been tested?
Biodegradable Mulch
Disagreement between CBs
Possible misrepresentation from supplier re: petroleum content
SIC reviewed and deemed it approved
Industry petitioned to have it delisted
Producers and suppliers were protected with lengthy time frame for discontinuation of use
No actual legal proceedings
Any other cases?
Consensus on CB liability, but how does good faith come into play? Do we need to make actual legislation clearer?
Every part of the system (CB, CVB, MRO) has liability provisions, - is this necessary?
How could contracts between entities affect liability?
Do we need a legal or insurance expert to review?
Costa Rica:
Both state and CBs can approve inputs
Liability undefined
Switzerland:
FiBL says it would take liability and it saves CBs from risk
Never tested
USA:
Consensus: Liability rests with CBs
MROs, not CBs, ISO accredited
Confidentiality concerns prevent CBs from sharing private lists and accepting decisions of other CBs and MROs
COR permits consultation between CBs and mutual acceptance of approval decisions
CB may share any confidential information with CFIA or other CBs to “verify validity of information on an operator”, and all parties must treat this information as confidential.
ISO 17065:
All info from client except for what is publicly available is to be treated as confidential
CBs may share information if required by law or contractually agreed upon and the client is informed
Confidentiality with third parties are governed by contract
Do MRO’s Confidentiality Agreements conflict with CFIA oversight?
OMRI contract: Confidential information will be released in the context of legal proceedings, third party audits, product compliance dispute, and requests from regulatory bodies
CFIA Compliance and Enforcement can compel MROs to provide documents in the case of an investigation
What’s in their contracts with suppliers? We don’t know.
Could privacy be governed by contracts between CBs, producers and MROs?
Legal expert needed?
Other jurisdictions (not a lot to say):
USA:
Similar situation: CBs can consult and accept decisions
Organic Food Production Act (1990) requires CB confidentiality
No ISO so no opportunity for private contracts
WSDA and OMRI accept each other’s decisions
Not sure if they share info
How can we get suppliers to share input approval costs without negatively affecting the supply of inputs?
Possible solutions: Long-term
-status quo/let the market figure it out
-create one central database of inputs
-voluntary sharing by CBs
-CFIA mandated sharing
-CB’s public lists linked to one another
-Inputs as part of an organic integrity database
(a list of certified organic operators and products in Canada currently in development by COTA, based on the USDA’s organic integrity database)
-one input reviewer (maybe OMRI?)
-Possible solutions: Short-term
-create a shared methodology
-would accreditation for input review help?
-create strong conflict resolution process
-would having a single CVB help?
Contrasting approval between CBs
Inconsistent accreditation and auditing for CBs due to multiple CVBs
Lack of CVB audits for material review programs
ISO 17065 and COR Operating Manual offer some structure, but do not go far enough:
ISO 17065 details rules around subcontracting, impartiality, confidentiality etc.
CGSB and COR do not address procedures or the level of depth
USA:
NOP 3012: little better than ISO 17065 or COR Operating Manual
“Recalibration Training” for NOP auditors
Accredited Certifiers Association: White Paper on Material Review:
2010: Is developing a shared methodology worth our time?
2019: Working group about to release a best practices guide
Costa rica:
CBs all have their own processes, but the still accept each other’s decisions
Gov brings CBs together to discuss issues every two months
(we have conferences but is it at the same level?)
COR: Complaints against CBs are the responsibility of the CVB
CB’s have a requirement under COR (c.2.2.8) to report another CB that has approved an ineligible input. “The CVBs shall come to collective decision on the status of the input in timely manner.”
CFIA is the final arbiter (but what is their process?)
Standards Interpretation Committee (SIC)
provides interpretation of the CGSB 32.310, 32.311 and 32.312
Overseen by OFC, who support the SIC with their resources
Convenes periodically to review questions, public given time to comment, answers posted on OFC site
USA:
NOSB Subcommittee on Materials/GMO
Similar role to SIC
Drafts clarifications, guidance and standards for the National List
Chair appointed by NOSB, members appointed by Chair
NOP 3012: Lays out process for dispute resolution - more direct communication with certifiers
NOP notified of need for final determination
Reviews to see if regulations have been properly applied
If non compliant, the certifier will be informed and instructed to rescind approval.
All certifiers informed, provided with a timeline for cessation
Certifier decisions valid until are all informed of NOP decision
NOP dispute resolution not used often. CBs will settle between themselves
Switzerland:
FiBL manages virtually all input verification
No disputes, no need for dispute resolution - though complaints go to BioSuisse
Costa Rica
Similar to Canada:
Complaints against CBs and handled by the government Accreditation and Registration Unit in Organic Agriculture (ARAO)
ARAO forwards complaints to the CBs who must conduct an internal investigation and reports the results back to ARAO
Now that we have a better idea of the parameters we’re working with in terms of liability and privacy, and the scope of problems like dispute resolution, we can better investigate the feasibility and logistics for the various options we talked about in January
How does input verification interact with other government run registries and verification programs?
Pest Management Regulatory Agency
CFIA Fertilizer program
How can we control input approval without negatively affecting the supply of inputs?
Can we address the problem of CVBs not auditing material review?
What sort of benchmark metrics do we need to measure progress on input verification issus?