Only certified organic produce can give you confidence that the product is really organic. If it is certified, it has been inspected and licensed and is open to inspection and testing. At the level of misleading claims and labeling, operators have been taken to the ACCC, which is capable of imposing fines or demanding corrective action and public withdrawal of claims or products.
In 2007 ACCC fined an egg company and then donated $216,000 of the fine to the OFA (Organic Federation of Australia) to promote the new Australian Standard to consumers, retailers and the organic sector as well as to continue to protect the integrity of products labeled as organic.
In 2009, the Australian Standard for Organic and Biodynamic Products will be established as one uniform Standard under Standards Australia. This will address industry and government needs and consumer uncertainty around marketing and labelling claims on organic products. Growers and certifiers have already been adhering to the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) National Standard and there are no major changes to the those practices. However, it will provide a national, consistent framework for the organic industry from the paddock to point of sale; set out minimum requirements for growing products which can be labeled as ‘organic’, ‘biodynamic’ or ‘in-conversion’; provide clear definitions about what is organic and what is not; protect consumers against unsubstantiated claims and misleading labeling; protect growers against misinterpretation and misleading use of organic agricultural practices and the term ‘organic’.
Currently there are no domestic laws regulating agricultural practice and management of domestically-sold organic products or the use of marketing claims on organic products. Standards Australia is working towards publishing the Australian Standard by December 2008. Once published conviction for misleading claims will be easier.
WHY NOT HAVE ONE CERTIFIER OR JUST ONE LOGO?
Certifiers are auditors that is service providers, although they all uphold the domestic organic standards they may package their services very differently. Farmers & manufacturers needs are diverse, so they look for a certifier that meets their requirements. Many farmers and processors are very proud of their certifier convinced they have chosen the best.
It is probable that over the next couple of years a voluntary regularity mark will start appearing on certified organic packaging alongside or instead of the individual certifiers logo. This will help to assure the consumer that what they are buying is certified organic or biodynamic.