CERTIBIONET:Internal Rules

(Extracts)

Admission of new members

Criteria

Effective Member

The effective members are individuals who are active in the inspection and certification of organic farming and adhere to the ethical charter.

The accepted criteria are the following :

• Knowledge of and experience in the field of inspection and certification of organic farming.

• Supporting the ethical charter .

• Absence of conflicting interests with the association or the ethical charter.

• Sufficiently available in order to participate in the CertiBioNet meetings and activities.

Associated members

The associated members are organizations which are legally constituted in accordance with the Laws and customs of their country of origin, organic inspection and certification bodies adhering to the ethical charter.

The accepted criteria are the following :

• Organic inspection and certification body;

• Either recognized and/or accredited by the public authorities.

• Either accredited by the OAS/IFOAM

• Either an organization in the process of formation aiming at recognition or in the process of recognition.

• Supporting the ethical charter

• Adhering to the ethical charter means not only an agreement with its principles, but also the putting into practice of these principles with the inspection and certification body.

• Absence of conflicting interests with the association or the ethical charter.

Adherent member

The adherent members are individuals or organizations which are legally constituted in accordance with the laws and customs of their country of origin and which are interested in the improvement of organic inspection and certification systems.

The accepted criteria are the following :

• Interest in the organic inspection and certification.

• Absence of conflicting interestes with the association or the ethical charter.

Procedures

Effective members

The person wishing to become an effective member shall send his written admission demand to the admission committee together with all elements which might allow to judge whether his demand is in according with the admission criteria.

• Current activity and experience.

• Attitude towards the ethical charter.

The selection committee shall examine the demand.

If necessary, the committee may ask further information or even meet the applicant.

Associated member

The organization wishing to become an associated member shall send its written admission demand to the admission committee together with all elements allowing to judge whether it is in accordance with the admission criteria.

• Review and legal structure of the organization

• All current activities.

• Recognition as an inspection and certification body.

• Attitude towards the ethical charter;

The selection committee shall examine the demand.

If necessary the committee may ask further information and may even meet the representatives of the applicant.

Adherent member

The applicant adherent members shall send a justified demand to the admission committee detailing their activities and experience as well as their motivitation for their candidature.