The Skal certificate: what it is and how to check it
A Skal certificate is proof that a business works organically under the supervision of Skal Biocontrole . It belongs to the business, not to a product. A business with a valid certificate may offer its products as organic, within the scope stated on the certificate. You can read how a business obtains such a certificate on costs and timeline.
As a trader or customer, you want to know whether a supplier is validly certified. You check that by looking at the Skal number, the validity and the product scope. At each inspection, it is checked again whether the business still complies, so a certificate can change.
An organic product without a valid certificate from the supplier is a problem in the supply chain. Therefore check the certificate with every new supplier.
What is on a Skal certificate?
A certificate consists of fixed fields. An example is the TRACES certificate for trade with countries outside the EU. The document number begins with the code number of the control authority. For Skal, that is NL-BIO-01.
| Item | What it means | Where you find it |
|---|---|---|
| Skal number | The number by which Skal knows the business | On the certificate |
| Name and address of the business | Who is certified and where | On the certificate |
| Control authority code | For Skal, that is NL-BIO-01 | With the details of the control authority |
| Validity | The dates between which the certificate is valid | On the certificate |
| Product scope | Which products and activities fall under the certificate | Stated on the certificate |
A valid certificate has an end date, and that date must lie in the future.
How do you check a Skal certificate?
You check a certificate in a few steps. You need the Skal number or the certificate itself.
Always check the end date, even if the certificate looks neat. An expired certificate is no longer valid, however new the document looks.
- Ask for the Skal number and the certificate. Ask your supplier for them, so that you can keep them in your file.
- Check the validity. Look at the validity date on the certificate and compare it with today.
- Check the product scope. The certificate must cover the products and activities you buy. A business with a certificate for processing may not automatically be seen as a grower.
- Ask Skal if in doubt. Use the contact details on skal.nl for this.
For the mandatory labelling on a product, use Skal’s bio checker. That covers products and labels, not the certificate of the business.
Example: a wholesaler checks a supplier
A fictional wholesaler in organic nuts in Rotterdam buys from a new supplier, a fictional processing business in Limburg. The supplier sends an invoice with the Skal number on it. The buyer checks the certificate and sees that it is valid until 1 January 2027. The product scope covers nuts that are dried and packed, so the buyer can place the order.
The wholesaler enters the end date in its supplier file, with a reminder two months in advance. That way the buyer requests the new certificate before the old one expires.
What changes when things change?
A certificate does not last forever. It can change when the business changes, for example at a new location, with a different production method or a different product scope. Ask Skal what the business must then report.
The inspection can also have consequences. In the case of a serious deviation, Skal may take measures that affect the validity of the certificate. Read more about this on inspection and organic control.
Record in your purchasing terms that the supplier reports any change to its certificate immediately. That way you know in good time whether you can still deliver.
What does the certificate mean for your suppliers?
A supplier’s certificate is proof that you can use its organic status. Without that proof, you cannot sell the product as organic. The certificate is therefore part of your own traceability. See requirements for what you must keep from your own suppliers.
Always request the certificate from a new supplier and keep it in your file. Then establish the date on which you must check it again.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Skal certificate the same as the EU organic logo?
No. The certificate belongs to the business. The EU organic logo is on the product and shows that the product meets the rules. A business with a certificate may use the logo under the rules of the regulation.
How long is a Skal certificate valid?
The certificate has an end date that is stated on the document. The validity is stated on the certificate itself, and that period can differ per certificate. Always check the date.
May I sell a product as organic with an expired certificate from my supplier?
No. An expired certificate means you no longer have proof of the supplier’s organic status. Request a new certificate before you sell the product.
Further reading
- Inspection and organic control - How the check works
- Requirements - What you may expect from an organic business
- Costs and timeline - What certification costs