Harmoniazation And Equivalence Of Global Organic Agriculture Standards And Certification And Accreditation Systems

Harmonization and equivalence of organic agriculture standards and certification and accreditation systems is the basis for the development of international organic products trade. Harmonization and equivalence can avoid unnecessary trade barriers, simplify the certification and accreditation processes and reduce the cost of the certification, thus benefits the development of international organic products trade. Harmonization and equivalence also can increase negotiation, cooperation and communication between countries, integrate international economy, politics and culture, bring the world a more ideal development.The methods of summary, conclusion and analysis were carried out to review the development of global organic agriculture standards and certification and accreditation systems, summarize the working content of International Task Force on Harmonization and Equivalence in Organic Agriculture(ITF), discuss the obstacles to the implementation of harmonization and equivalence, and make suggestions to accelerate the researches and actions on harmonization and equivalence of organic agriculture standards and certification and accreditation systems in China. We can come to the conclusions as follows:(1) ITF play an important leading role in harmonization and equivalence of organic agriculture standards and certification and accreditation systems. Long-term and short-term goals, as well as the guide for assessing equivalence of organic standards and technical regulations and international requirements for organic certification bodies were advanced by ITF, which play an important role in achievement of harmonization and equivalence on organic agriculture standards and certification and accreditation systems.(2) To achieve the harmonization and equivalence is a long term and difficult task. There are many reasons and the main causes are as follows:Firstly, the economic and political interests of different countries. Secondly, the economic development and technological level between different countries. Thirdly, the differences of cultures between countries. So that the realization of harmonization and equivalence on organic agriculture standards and certification and accreditation systems does need time and endeavor with the whole world.(3) Regional harmonization and equivalence of organic agriculture standards and certification and accreditation systems should be achieved firstly. The global harmonization and equivalence may take a long time, but the countries in some regions have the better geographical conditions and the less cultural differences, so the countries with similar regional conditions should start efforts on regional cooperate in harmonization and equivalence, and then achieve the global harmonization and equivalence of organic agriculture standards and certification and accreditation systems.(4) China should take measures to promote the organic agriculture standards in line with international standards, strengthen the studies of harmonization and equivalence on organic standards and certification and accreditation systems. The government should establish special research institution and expert teams of organic agriculture, carry out studies on harmonization and equivalence of organic agriculture standards and certification and accreditation systems, make negotiations with the importing countries and sign equivalence agreements. We should strengthen regional cooperate with Asia-Oceanania countries in the aspect of harmonization and equivalence on organic agriculture standards and certification and accreditation systems. We suggest to establish Executive Committee of organic trade in the Asia-Oceanania region, hold the regional cooperation forum in organic section, establish expert teams to set harmonized organic standard in Asia-Oceanania region, enhance technology and information exchange in organic fields; strengthen organic training to organic operators and support domestic organic operators to cooperate with foreign organic operators. Organic certification bodies in Asia-Oceanania region should work together and also work with certification bodies of importing countries and compose certification alliance to improve their popularity, and also to supervise each other.China should strengthen studies on harmonization and equivalence of organic standards and certification and accreditation systems, promote the development of organic products international trade, thus to further strengthen global economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation.