Quality Certification in Italy and in the Mediterranean countries: a way for accessing foreign markets Davide Pierleoni Vice President Istituto Mediterraneo di Certificazione srl
Presentation of IMC IMC is a certification body specialized in certification services for Mediterranean agriculture and agrofood sector IMC provides all kind of certification services in order to guarantee the access to international markets 5th of June, 2006 Quality Certification in Italy and in the Mediterranean countries 2
Certification services Eurep-Gap Organic Agriculture Traceability of agro-food chain Designation of Origin and Geographical Indications Private and public standards Quality Management System ISO 9000:2001 Environmental Management System ISO 14001:2004 Restaurants and Canteens 5th of June, 2006 Quality Certification in Italy and in the Mediterranean countries 3
IMC international accreditations IMC certification services comply with international standards IMC certification are recognized in international markets (I.e., Europe, USA, Japan, Canada, Tunisia) 5th of June, 2006 Quality Certification in Italy and in the Mediterranean countries 4
IMC staff - Italy 5th of June, 2006 Quality Certification in Italy and in the Mediterranean countries 5
IMC offices in the Mediterranean countries Senigallia, Italy 5th of June, 2006 Quality Certification in Italy and in the Mediterranean countries 6
IMC offices in the Mediterranean countries Cairo, Egypt 5th of June, 2006 Quality Certification in Italy and in the Mediterranean countries 7
IMC offices in the Mediterranean countries Tunis, Tunisia 5th of June, 2006 Quality Certification in Italy and in the Mediterranean countries 8
IMC offices in the Mediterranean countries Beirut, Lebanon 5th of June, 2006 Quality Certification in Italy and in the Mediterranean countries 9
What is Quality? In accordance with ISO.The totality of features and characteristics of a product or service that bear on its ability to satisfy stated or implied needs 5th of June, 2006 Quality Certification in Italy and in the Mediterranean countries 10
Why do we need Quality? External justifications legal obligations Legal agreements Promotion of the company profile To conquer trust of clients, consumers, staff, owners and/or shareholders, suppliers and community 5th of June, 2006 Quality Certification in Italy and in the Mediterranean countries 11
Why do we need Quality? Internal justifications Impartial/objective verification of working procedure Identification and correction of anomaly and malfunctioning or missed fulfillment of targets to be stimulated to improve own performance 5th of June, 2006 Quality Certification in Italy and in the Mediterranean countries 12
The Quality concerns Primary needs; they are linked to the health protection and safety of people Minor needs; they are related to the development of business and to the well-being of the Society 5th of June, 2006 Quality Certification in Italy and in the Mediterranean countries 13
The Quality concerns Primary needs are under the protection of EU Competent Authorities and Governments of EU Member State, through regulations, directives or national laws, which specify the mandatory basic requirements of products or processes (socalled technical rules ) Minor needs and their requirements are described in the technical norms ( voluntary norms issued by Iso) 5th of June, 2006 Quality Certification in Italy and in the Mediterranean countries 14
The Quality of food depends on Hygiene and safety Organoleptic and nutritional features, (taste, smell, flavor, color, nutritional elements, etc. Utilization features (preservation, easy handling, packing, etc.) Cultural features (tradition, local knowledge, origin, etc.) Ethical or social features (environmental preservation and animal well-being awareness, etc) 5th of June, 2006 Quality Certification in Italy and in the Mediterranean countries 15
What are the requirements? They are distinctive/peculiar features of a product or a process They are set up by technical rules, technical norms, legal agreements, specifications, etc. They have to be measurable by tests, checks, analysis, etc. They can be subject to a conformity evaluation by a certification body 5th of June, 2006 Quality Certification in Italy and in the Mediterranean countries 16
Requirements that can be certified Content of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, etc.. Absence of harmful or unwanted substances (GMO ) Tolerance of a maximum residue level (pesticides, anti-nutritional factors ) Color Dimension (weight, length, width, bend, volume..) 5th of June, 2006 Quality Certification in Italy and in the Mediterranean countries 17
All the requirements can be certified? We cannot certify those requirements that are set up by laws We can certify all the requirements that improve features of a product or a process and are set up by voluntary technical norms 5th of June, 2006 Quality Certification in Italy and in the Mediterranean countries 18
Definition of Certification EN 45020:1998, 15.1.2 Procedure by which a third party gives written assurance that a product, process or service conforms to specified requirements IMC is a third party 5th of June, 2006 Quality Certification in Italy and in the Mediterranean countries 19
To be certified means to prevent not compliances before their appearance stimulate steady improvement establish better connections among producers, processors, retailers, consumers better connections with customers and market 5th of June, 2006 Quality Certification in Italy and in the Mediterranean countries 2
Main food safety laws in force in EU These Regulation shall be directly applicable in all Member States. 1. EU Regulation n.178/2002: general food law laying down the general principles and requirements of food law, establishing the European Food Safety Authority and laying down procedures in matters of food safety 2. EU Regulation n.852/2004 on the hygiene of foodstuffs 3. EU Regulation n.853/2004 laying down specific hygiene rules for on the hygiene of foodstuffs 4. EU Regulation n.854/2004 laying down specific rules for the organization of official controls on products of animal origin intended for human consumption 5. EU Regulation n.882/2004 on official controls performed to ensure the verification of compliance with feed and food law, animal health and animal welfare rules 5th of June, 2006 Quality Certification in Italy and in the Mediterranean countries 21
Main food safety laws in force in EU These Regulation shall be directly applicable in all Member States. 6. EU Regulation n.2073/2005 on microbiological criteria for foodstuffs 7. EU Regulation n.2074/2005 laying down implementing measures for certain products 8. EU Regulation n.2075/2005 laying down specific rules on official controls for Trichinella in meat 9. EU Regulation n.2076/2005 extending the time period referred to in Article 8(2) of Council Directive 91/414/EEC and concerning the non-inclusion of certain active substances in Annex I to that Directive and the withdrawal of authorizations for plant protection products containing these substances 5th of June, 2006 Quality Certification in Italy and in the Mediterranean countries 2
Main food safety laws in force in EU These Regulation shall be directly applicable in all Member States. 10. COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 466/2001 of 8 March 2001 setting maximum levels for certain contaminants in foodstuffs (nitrates, heavy metals and myco-toxins) 11. COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 472/2002 of 12 March 2002 amending Regulation (EC) No 466/2001 setting maximum levels for certain contaminants in foodstuffs (nitrates, heavy metals and mycotoxins) 12. COMMISSION REGULATION (EC) No 856/2005 of 6 June 2005 amending Regulation (EC) No 466/2001 as regards Fusarium toxins 13. REGULATION (EC) No 1829/2003 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 22 September 2003 on genetically modified food and feed 14. REGULATION (EC) No 1830/2003 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 22 September 2003 concerning the traceability and labelling of genetically modified organisms and the traceability of food and feed products produced from genetically modified organisms and amending Directive 2001/18/EC 5th of June, 2006 Quality Certification in Italy and in the Mediterranean countries 2
Main food safety laws in force in EU These Directives have to be adopted by Member State into their legislation in force 1. DIRECTIVE 2000/13/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 20 March 2000 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the labelling, presentation and advertising of foodstuffs 2. DIRECTIVE 2003/89/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 10 November 2003 amending Directive 2000/13/EC as regards indication of the ingredients present in foodstuffs allergenic substances 5th of June, 2006 Quality Certification in Italy and in the Mediterranean countries 2
Main laws on quality of food in force in EU These Directives have to be adopted by Member State into their legislation in force Fruit and vegetable sector COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 2200/96 of 28 October 1996 on the common organization of the market in fruit and vegetables requirement of complying with the quality standards (EU Regulation n.2200/96 article 3) The holder of products covered by the quality standards adopted may not display such products or offer them for sale, or deliver or market them in any other manner within the Community than in conformity with those standards. The holder shall be responsible for observing such conformity. 5th of June, 2006 Quality Certification in Italy and in the Mediterranean countries 2
Conformity checks regarding fruit and vegetable fulfilling standards EU FRUIT Citrus (oranges, lemons, tangerines, clementines), Apricots, Avocados, Cherries, Melons, Strawberries, Kiwis, Apple, Pears, Water Melon, Peaches, Plums and Nectarines, Table Grapes, Almonds, Hazelnuts, Walnuts. 5th of June, 2006 Quality Certification in Italy and in the Mediterranean countries 2
Conformity checks regarding fruit and vegetable fulfilling standards EU VEGETABLE Garlic, Asparagus, Artichokes, Carrots, Cauliflowers, Brussels sprouts, Cabbages, Cucumbers, Lettuce, curly and escarole chicory, Onions, Green Beans, Aubergines or Eggplant, Sweet peppers, Peas, Tomatoes, Leeks, Celery, Spinaches, Cucumbers, Mushrooms. 5th of June, 2006 Quality Certification in Italy and in the Mediterranean countries 27
Comparison between Public and Private Standards BRC Global Standard Legislation in force; it is just a basic standard, not more than this Private standards are stricter than public standards, therefore Private standards overpower public standards which are not enough Private standards and their certification schemes are increasingly numerous 5th of June, 2006 Quality Certification in Italy and in the Mediterranean countries 2
Main Certification Scheme for European agro-food sector Iso 22000 Food Safety management system Iso 9001 Quality management system Iso 14001 Environmental management system SA8000 Social Accountability EMAS Environmental management audit scheme OH18001 Occupational Health and Safety BS 7799 Information Security Management System new BRC British Retailer Consortium IFS International Food Supplier Uni 10939 e 11020 Traceability System in the food chain Eurep-Gap Good Agricultural Practices Gluten free OGM free Fair Trade VIS VIS VIS VIS EU Regulation n.2092/91 Organic agriculture EU Regulation n.609/2006 - PDO Protected Designation of Origin EU Regulation n.610/2006 - PGI Protected Geographical Indication Legend: Voluntary System Certification ( Iso 66) Voluntary Product Certification (Iso 65) Regulated Product Certification (Iso 65) VIS VIS = very important standard 5th of June, 2006 Quality Certification in Italy and in the Mediterranean countries 2
Very important web sites on agro-food standards www.eurepgap.org www.imcert.it www.iso.org http://ec.europa.eu/comm/food/food/index_en.htm http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex/it/index.htm www.efsa.eu.int http://www.brc.org.uk/standards/index.htm www.food-care.info 5th of June, 2006 Quality Certification in Italy and in the Mediterranean countries 3
Thanks for your attention International certification services for Mediterranean agriculture and agro-food sector
For further information, please contact me at IMC Headquarter Senigallia (Italy) 0039 071 792.87.25 formazione@imcert.it www.imcert.it IMC Egypt 19, El Nakhil Street, Mohandeseen, Giza 0020 2 3359650 imcegypt@imcert.it 5th of June, 2006 Quality Certification in Italy and in the Mediterranean countries 3