Guidelines in the Accreditation of Certifying Bodies for Standards on Organic Agriculture
DA Administrative Order No. 13-03, issued on April 23, 2003, establishes guidelines for accrediting certifying bodies in organic agriculture, as mandated by the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997. The order aims to foster collaboration between the government and private sectors to enhance the certification of organic products, ensuring compliance with established standards. It outlines specific criteria for accreditation, including ownership by Filipino citizens, a clean financial track record, and expertise in organic agriculture. The accreditation is valid for three years, after which renewal is required, and failure to comply with reporting standards can lead to revocation of accreditation. This order takes effect 15 days after its filing with the UP Law Center.
Quick Answers
- What is Guidelines in the Accreditation of Certifying Bodies for Standards on Organic Agriculture about?
- DA Administrative Order No. 13-03, issued on April 23, 2003, establishes guidelines for accrediting certifying bodies in organic agriculture, as mandated by the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997. The order aims to foster collaboration between the government and private sectors to enhance the certification of organic products, ensuring compliance with established standards. It outlines specific criteria for accreditation, including ownership by Filipino citizens, a clean financial track record, and expertise in organic agriculture. The accreditation is valid for three years, after which renewal is required, and failure to comply with reporting standards can lead to revocation of accreditation. This order takes effect 15 days after its filing with the UP Law Center.
- What type of law is DA Administrative Order No. 13-03?
- Guidelines in the Accreditation of Certifying Bodies for Standards on Organic Agriculture (DA Administrative Order No. 13-03) is a Philippine Other Rules and Procedures enacted by the Congress of the Philippines.
- When was Guidelines in the Accreditation of Certifying Bodies for Standards on Organic Agriculture enacted?
- Guidelines in the Accreditation of Certifying Bodies for Standards on Organic Agriculture (DA Administrative Order No. 13-03) was enacted on Apr 23, 2003.
- What is the citation for Guidelines in the Accreditation of Certifying Bodies for Standards on Organic Agriculture?
- Guidelines in the Accreditation of Certifying Bodies for Standards on Organic Agriculture, DA Administrative Order No. 13-03, Apr 23, 2003 (Philippines)
Law Information
- Reference Number
- DA Administrative Order No. 13-03
- Date Enacted
- Category
- Other Rules and Procedures
- Subcategory
- Organic Agriculture
- Jurisdiction
- Philippines
- Enacting Body
- Congress of the Philippines
Full Law Text
April 23, 2003
DA ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 13-03
| SUBJECT | : | Guidelines in the Accreditation of Certifying Bodies for Standards on Organic Agriculture |
Sec. 60 and Sec. 63 Chapter 7 of RA 8435 or the Agriculture and Fisheries Modernization Act of 1997, specifically mandates the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Product Standards (BAFPS) to formulate and enforce standards of quality in the processing, preservation, packaging, labeling, importation, exportation, distribution and advertising of agriculture and fisheries products.
It is further recognized that in order for the government to enforce standards of quality and safety throughout the country a strong collaboration and effective partnership with the private sectors and non-government organizations with proven competency and experiences in organic agriculture and with adequate technical personnel and financial resources must be forged. To tap their expertise as certifying bodies, there is an imperative need to provide and spell-out specific guidelines in the accreditation of certifying bodies for the enforcement of standards for organic agriculture.
1. Objectives of Accreditation. The accreditation of the private sector institutions, and non-government organizations is aimed to attain the following:
1.1 To tap the expertise of the private sectors and non-government organizations as partners of government in certifying products as organically produce.
1.2 To provide them wider opportunities and direct participation in product certification activities.
1.3 To give due recognition of their efforts, capabilities, competencies and experiences in promoting the development and production of organic products, and marketing of organically produce products both in the local and foreign markets.
1.4 To ensure that the duly accredited certifying bodies shall enforce the Philippine Standards for Organic Agriculture, and comply with the requirements of the approved operating Manual of Certification Procedures.
2. Coverage of Accreditation:
Accreditation shall apply to private business organization, cooperatives, non-government organization, people's organization, foundations and civic-religious organizations.
3. Criteria for Accreditation:
3.1 Ownership must be owned or controlled by Filipino citizens.
3.2 Must not be engaged in the production of organic agriculture at the time of the application for accreditation and during the lifetime of the accreditation authority as certifying body.
3.3 Track Record:
3.3.1 must have been engaged in organic agriculture production or related extension services for at least one year.
3.3.2 must have undergone training in organic certification
3.3.3 must be able to deploy at least one inspector per region
3.3.4 must have financial resources to undertake certification activities in its coverage areas
3.3.5 must have a clean track record in its financial dealings in their previous transactions
3.3.6 must be capable of conducting inspection work in accordance with the approved Operating Manual of Certification Procedures
4. Procedure for Accreditation
4.1 Application for Accreditation
The applicant-institution shall submit to the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture through the Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Product Standards, a written application for accreditation together with the institution's organizational profile, Certificate of Registration, track record and other pertinent documents attesting to their competency to conduct organic products' certification.
4.2 Conduct of Verification:
Whenever necessary, the DA through the BAFPS shall conduct inspection and interviews to validate the application-institution.
4.3 Issuance of Certificate of Accreditation:
A certificate of accreditation, shall be issued to the institution that satisfies the criteria enumerated in para. 3 of these guidelines within fifteen (15) calendar days from the days of the submission of the completed documents.
5. The Secretary may impose fees in such an amount sufficient to cover the administrative cost in processing accreditation documents.
6. Renewal of the Certificate of Accreditation:
The certificate of accreditation shall be valid only for a period of three years. After such period, the certifying body shall be required to renew its certificate of accreditation.
7. Revocation of Accreditation:
Any institution accredited following these guideline be required to submit year-end and other periods report of the activity undertaken. Failure to comply with the requirement shall be a basis for the revocation of accreditation that shall further deprive the institution to participate in future undertaking. Furthermore, the Secretary, upon recommendation of the BAFPS shall be empowered to revoke the certificate of accreditation at anytime if the Secretary has reasonable ground to believe that there is clear violation in the certification procedures. AaDSEC
8. Effectivity
This Order shall take effect fifteen (15) days after it filling with the UP Law Center.
APPROVED.
(SGD.) LUIS P. LORENZO, JR.Secretary
Cite This Law
Guidelines in the Accreditation of Certifying Bodies for Standards on Organic Agriculture, DA Administrative Order No. 13-03, Apr 23, 2003 (Philippines)
Guidelines in the Accreditation of Certifying Bodies for Standards on Organic Agriculture, DA Administrative Order No. 13-03 (Phil. 2003)
Related Laws
- Revision to AO 07, s. 2011 Re Amendments to AO 13, s. 2003, on the Guidelines in the Accreditation of Certifying Bodies for Organic AgricultureDA Administrative Order No. 13-13 • Jan 3, 2013 • Other Rules and Procedures
- Revised Guidelines for the Official Accreditation of Organic Certifying Bodies (OCB)DA Department Circular No. 1, s. 2018 • Jan 17, 2018 • Other Rules and Procedures
- Revised Guidelines for the Official Accreditation of Organic Certifying Bodies (OCB)DA Department Circular No. 06-15 • Jul 8, 2015 • Other Rules and Procedures
- Guidelines for the Establishment, Maintenance, and Amendment of the National List of Permitted Substances for Organic AgricultureDA Department Circular No. 7, s. 2020 • Mar 18, 2020 • Other Rules and Procedures
- Revised Guidelines on the Provision of Certification Subsidy Incentive for Organic Agriculture Entities/Farmers and Organic Input ProducersDA Department Circular No. 04-15 • Jun 17, 2015 • Other Rules and Procedures
- IRR on Accreditation of Private Organic Agriculture Extension Service Providers (OA ESPS)DA Administrative Order No. 09-16 • May 18, 2016 • Other Rules and Procedures
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