organic certification

Syllable breakdown

Dictionary meaning

a process by which farms, food processors, and traders are independently inspected and certified as complying with the legally defined standards for organic production in a given jurisdiction, entitling them to label their products as organic for sale to consumers; organic standards typically prohibit synthetic pesticides, synthetic fertilisers, genetically modified organisms, and certain livestock management practices, and require positive practices including the maintenance of soil health and biodiversity; certification bodies accredited by national authorities conduct annual inspections, review records, and test products for prohibited substance residues; the certified organic market has grown into a global multi-billion dollar sector, though the high cost of certification places a burden on small producers and has prompted the development of alternative verification systems such as participatory guarantee schemes that offer lower-cost peer-review certification for local markets