Organic agriculture has gained widespread acceptance as a sustainable agricultural production system that relies on natural, biological, and regenerative resources rather than the use of inputs with negative impacts. In comparison to conventional agricultural production systems, it promotes the responsible use of energy and natural resources and ensures the health of soil, people, animals, and the ecosystem. Thus, there is a rising global demand for the products produced following organic agriculture principles.

Third-party certification is an integral component of organic production and processing to assure consumers of the organic integrity of products labeled as ‘Organic’. For producers, processors, and all those engaged in the supply chain, certification is key to accessing local and international markets.

The Organic Product Certification Scheme of SLSI is granted based on SLS 1324: 2018 Standard. The standard has been developed in equivalence to the international organic standards, which provide a uniform approach to requirements for conversion, production, handling, marketing, and labelling

Submission of Application

The application shall be submitted to the Sri Lanka Standard Institution (SLSI) on the prescribed application from [FM-OPC-01] and the pre-certification questionnaire [FM-OPC-02], along with the supplementary documentation.

A duly completed application shall be addressed to the Director (Product Certification), Sri Lanka Standards Institution, No. 17, Victoria Place, Elvitigala Mawatha Colombo 08, with the application processing fee.

Desktop evaluation

Application and other relevant documents are reviewed for adequacy, and the outcome is communicated to the applicant for subsequent actions, as necessary

Pre assessment

On-site pre-assessment is conducted by a competent audit team assigned by the SLSI within a mutually agreed time frame with the applicant.

During the pre-assessment, information provided by the applicant is verified, including all applicable sites, products, and processes. Further, site-specific conditions are evaluated to determine the applicable conversion period. Discrepancies found in the pre-assessment will be reported to the applicant for further improvement.

Final assessment

A final assessment will be arranged if the deficiencies identified in the pre-assessment are rectified by the applicant and informed to SLSI in writing. SLSI appoints a competent and independent audit team possessing the required technical expertise to conduct the final assessment. During the final assessment, the audit team will determine the compliance of the organic agricultural production and processing system against the standard requirements [SLS 1324: 2018] and the organic product certification scheme requirements. Findings of the assessment will be communicated to the applicant for corrective action.

Contaminant analysis

When it is suspected to contaminate the product with prohibited substances, SLSI may decide to draw soil, water, any particular input, pre-harvest, or post-harvest samples for the analysis of contaminants during the assessment. Cost of such analysis shall borne by the applicant.

Grant of certification

Certification decision is taken based on all relevant information gathered during the processing of the application, on site assessments, test results (if any), and additional applicable information received from the applicant organization. If all certification requirements are met, a decision is taken to grant the certification.

Validity of the certificate

The certificate is valid for 12 months from the date of issue. During the validity of certification, the company must continuously comply with the certification requirements

National Organic Certification Mark [NOCM]

After obtaining certification, certificate holders are permitted use National Organic Certification Mark (NOCM) in compliance to the guidelines for the use of the National Organic Certification Mark (NOCM) issued by the National Organic Control Unit (NOCU).

Surveillance monitoring

Annual surveillance assessments are conducted at the certified locations with the aim of determining whether the organization is continuously capable of maintaining certification requirements. The validity period of the certificate is extended for subsequent years after the completion of annual surveillance assessments.

Recertification

The certificate is renewed after the completion of a three-year certification cycle. The organization shall apply fresh for renewal of certification by submitting an application in the prescribed application forms along with updated information.

Benefits

• Comply with national legislation on products labelled as organic.
• Ensure the consumers of the organic integrity of the certified organic products.
• Access local and international markets and increase market competitiveness
• Obtain better prices for certified organic products
• Be a part of the sustainable farming community while protecting soil health and ecosystem.

Bottled water registration scheme.

Technical evaluation of applicants on behalf of Ministry of Health and making recommendation to grant registration under the Food (Bottled or packaged water) Regulation 2005 published in the Government Gazette No. 1420/4 of 2005-11-21.