Certification & Measures

Scope of Services

EGYCERT provides inspection, certification and verification services within its current accreditation scope, regulatory recognitions and applicable scheme agreements. Activities may cover production, preparation, processing, handling, storage, trading and export, according to the scheme and operator concerned.

European Union: EGYCERT has applied for recognition under Article 46 of Regulation (EU) 2018/848 for product categories A, D and G, covering the products and countries specified in its application. The application is pending. EGYCERT is not currently recognised under that Article and has not issued certificates under that recognition.

Great Britain: EGYCERT provides inspection and certification services for product categories A and D within the countries, conditions and limitations specified in its DEFRA recognition.

KRAV: EGYCERT performs verification activities for organic crop products and processed organic products under its agreement with KRAV Economic Association, in accordance with applicable KRAV requirements and the scope and responsibilities defined in the agreement.

European Union Recognition Status

EGYCERT’s application for recognition under Article 46 of Regulation (EU) 2018/848 is pending and covers the following proposed product categories:

• Category A: Unprocessed plants and plant products, including seeds and other plant reproductive material.

• Category D: Processed agricultural products, including aquaculture products, for use as food.

• Category G: Other products listed in Annex I to Regulation (EU) 2018/848 or not covered by the preceding categories.

The requested scope is limited to the products and countries specified in EGYCERT’s application. EGYCERT is not currently recognised under Article 46 and has not issued certificates under that recognition.

Application and Evaluation

The certification process begins with submission of an application. EGYCERT reviews the requested scope, applicable requirements and its competence and authorisation to provide the service.

Evaluation activities may include document review, on-site inspection, traceability and mass-balance checks, sampling, laboratory analysis and verification of corrective actions. Controls are determined by the applicable scheme and risk assessment.

Operators must provide accurate information, maintain relevant records and allow access to the premises, personnel and documentation necessary for evaluation.

Technical Review and Certification Decision

Evaluation results are reviewed by competent, authorised personnel who have not participated in the evaluation concerned. Certification decisions are also made by authorised personnel who were not involved in that evaluation.

For schemes under EGYCERT’s certification authority, decisions are made through its Certification Committee at the head office in Egypt. Decisions are based on objective evidence of conformity with applicable requirements.

Following a positive decision, EGYCERT issues the applicable certification document identifying the operator, certified scope, certification requirements and validity information.

Maintaining and Extending Certification

Certification is maintained through the inspections, surveillance and other controls required by the applicable scheme.

Operators must notify EGYCERT of changes that may affect conformity or the certified scope. Requests to add products, activities or sites are evaluated, reviewed and approved before the extended scope may be represented as certified.

Nonconformities and Certification Measures

EGYCERT evaluates identified nonconformities and applies measures appropriate to their nature, severity, effect on product integrity and the operator’s compliance history.

Depending on the applicable requirements, measures may include:

• Corrections and corrective actions within specified deadlines.

• Additional inspections, sampling or increased surveillance.

• Restrictions on organic claims for affected products.

• Reduction of the certified scope.

• Suspension or withdrawal of certification.

• Refusal of certification where requirements have not been fulfilled.

Continued certification under specified conditions is permitted only where allowed by the applicable scheme and supported by the evaluation results.

Suspension, Withdrawal and Scope Reduction

EGYCERT communicates certification measures and their reasons to the operator. Where certification is suspended, the notification identifies the restrictions, required actions and conditions for reinstatement.

Following suspension, withdrawal, termination or scope reduction, certification documents, public information and authorisations to use certification claims or marks are updated as applicable. Operators must discontinue or amend affected claims and references to certification.

Reinstatement

Certification is reinstated only after EGYCERT has verified fulfilment of the applicable conditions and completed the necessary review and decision. Certification documents and public information are then updated to reflect the approved status and scope.

Communication and Appeals

Information concerning suspected or established noncompliance affecting organic integrity is communicated to the relevant parties and authorities in accordance with applicable regulatory and scheme requirements.

Operators may appeal certification decisions through EGYCERT’s documented appeals procedure.

Further information is available on the Accreditation Standards, Licenses and Recognitions, List of Fees, and Complaints and Appeals pages, or by contacting info@egy-cert.com.