Certification body
for sustainable development
in Southern Africa

Our history

Ecocert is an independent and accredited inspection and certification body. It was established in France in 1991, and since then it has set up offices in 20 countries around the world, conducting certification services in over 80 countries. Ecocert Southern Africa (Pty) Ltd was set up in 2001 and has since established itself as a key certifying body in Southern African.

Ecocert specializes in the certification of organic agricultural products and has diversified its range of services to include organic and natural cosmetics, ecoproducts, fair trade, green spaces and others.

Why choose Ecocert for your project?

• You will enjoy a clear and transparent process.

• You will receive a professional and friendly service.

• We are independent and fair.

• With offices in South Africa and a local team, we understand the (South) African client.

• The Ecocert name and logo are recognized around the world.

• You and your products will be associated with a globally recognized company.

Main certification available by Ecocert

Organic farming	Cosmetics	Textiles
United States: NOP regulations Europe: Regulation (EC) No 834/2007 Japan: JAS regulations Other national regulations: South Korea, Brazil, etc.	Organic and natural cosmetics, according to Ecocert standard COSMOS (COSMetic Organic Standard)	GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) OE (Organic Exchange)

The certification process

Certification is a voluntary process whereby a business can have its products or services inspected by an accredited certification body, such as Ecocert. Certification is awarded, provided that the products or services comply with international and/or local standards. Certification is valid for a specified time period, during which the certifying body continues to monitor the clients’ activities to ensure continued compliance.

• Ecocert auditors conduct on-site inspections and subsequently draw up audit reports, which they forward to Ecocert head office. To provide traceability to all stakeholders in the value chain, our audits involve, for example, the entire production system: inputs, production, processing, manufacturing, packaging, labeling, storage, distribution and import. Annual monitoring inspections are carried out, some of which are spot checks, and samples may be taken for laboratory analysis.

• Certification officers study the audit reports to assess compliance with the specification's requirements. If the production method or the system proves to be compliant, Ecocert issues certification. Any non-compliance results in requests for remedial action and/or sanctions.

• The Supervisory Committee for Certification is an independent technical body, responsible for overseeing the proper application of certification processes, issuing opinions, monitoring changes in standards, and for reviewing appeals and complaints. It is made up of operators from the value chain, consumers and experts, and is open to government representatives. This guarantees Ecocert independency.

Ecocert, creating innovative standards

Aside from certifying in accordance with international standards (e.g. EC, NOP, JAS), Ecocert has also developed private standards which contain extremely rigorous environmental and social criteria. These specifications attest to Ecocert's capacity for innovation. Ecocert draws up each standard in conjunction with representatives from each sector involved - professionals, consumers and users.

Since 2000, Ecocert has encouraged the rise of new business trends by developing private standards.
Examples of these can be found below.

To get certified, click on our following standards:

• Ecocert Fair Trade – EFT (economically and socially responsible organic fair trade products)

• Ecoproducts: Natural cleaning products ; Natural and organic home perfumes ; Ecological paintings and coatings

• Inputs eligible by Ecocert for use in organic farming

• Ecological green spaces - Eve^®

• Eco-sustainable golf course

• Carbon Services