Organic group certification at Skal: when and for whom

Group certification means that several small organic growers form one group together. The group receives one certificate, and the members are listed on it. That is different from a separate certificate per business. The rules are set out in Article 36 of the EU Organic Regulation 2018/848 . You can find more information on skal.nl .

Short answer: group certification is for small growers who work together and can comply with the rules jointly. Whether a group suits you depends on your situation and on what Skal allows for your group. Compare that with the requirements for certification.

Group certification is not the same as an ordinary cooperative. The group exists for the certification. A cooperative can also exist without a group certificate.

What is group certification?

With individual certification, each business has its own certificate and its own check by Skal. With group certification, the businesses form a group. The group has one certificate, and the group members are listed on that certificate.

Take the fictional cooperative De Groene Dorpen. Twelve small vegetable growers each have one to two hectares. They all want to grow organically and sell together at a local market. With group certification, the cooperative receives one certificate for the group. Each member falls under it and works to the same agreements.

Individual or as a group?

The table sets the two routes side by side. The figures Skal publishes are on the costs page. A group does not have the same fees as a single business, so ask Skal which contributions apply to your group.

Item	Individual	As a group
Certificate	Own certificate per business	One group certificate, with the members listed on it
Internal control	No separate internal control by the group	Required: the group checks itself whether all members follow the rules
Who supervises	Skal, per business	Skal, for the group
Costs	Skal rates per business, see costs and timeline	Ask Skal which rates apply to a group

What does the internal control do?

A group needs an internal control system. This is a way for the group to check for itself whether all members follow the organic rules. This applies to every group, even when Skal checks the whole group in one go.

The internal control consists of agreements, records and checks on the members. You record in the group who carries out those tasks. Ask Skal which requirements it sets for that internal control before you set up the group.

A group that exists only on paper soon falls apart. Make sure each member has their records in order and knows what the rules are.

Who is it for?

Group certification is intended for small producers. It makes it easier for small growers to go organic without each going through a full individual check. Skal confirms whether your business counts as a small producer, and whether your group meets the requirements.

Read how long conversion takes on conversion to organic.

What do you need to arrange?

A group requires agreements that you make in advance. Think of the following points.

Who is the group leader, and what are their tasks? Record that in a written agreement.
Which members take part, and what are their crops and fields?
How does the internal control work, and which records does each member keep?
What happens if a member does not follow the rules? Make an arrangement for that.

This way, every member knows where they stand, and Skal can assess the group properly. For the supervision itself, read more under inspection and organic control.

Frequently asked questions

Must each group member have their own certificate?

No. With group certification, the members are listed on the group certificate. Separate certificates per member are then not needed. Skal confirms whether this applies to your group. See also the Skal certificate.

Is group certification cheaper?

That depends on your group and on the rates Skal sets for that group. The table uses per-business contributions. Ask Skal whether that is different for a group. Then compare the amounts with costs and timeline.

What exactly is an internal control?

It is the system through which the group supervises its members itself. The group records which checks take place and who carries them out. Skal sets the requirements for that system, so ask for those requirements before you start.

How do I start a group?

Start with a conversation with Skal. They can tell you whether your group fits and which steps are needed. After that, you make the agreements with the members.