Agency role and responsibilities
Recognised agencies (RAs) are organic certification bodies that are recognised by MPI according to Organic Export Requirement: Recognised Agencies and Persons (OER: RAP) [PDF, 489 KB]
RAs verify that organic products exported under the Official Organic Assurance Programme (OOAP), or supplied for export under the OOAP, are produced and processed according to certain requirements.
View a list of organic requirements for the OOAP
Verifying organic operators
RAs are responsible for:
- registering organic operators for the OOAP
- evaluating each operator's organic management plan (OMP) to confirm it will deliver products complying with relevant OOAP requirements
- verifying that the OMP continues to meet relevant OOAP requirements and that it is being followed by the operator
- determining how frequently each operator will be assessed against the relevant OOAP requirements, based on their demonstrated performance
- managing the timely resolution of any non-compliance issues.
Read about operator and exporter responsibilities under the OOAP
Verifying eligibility of organic consignments to be exported under the OOAP
RAs verify the eligibility of organic consignments requiring official government assurances. This includes a final check on the organic status and chain of custody of the products in an export consignment.
RAs are responsible for verifying that organic products in individual consignments are:
- produced and handled according to relevant OOAP requirements
- eligible for export to their destination market under the OOAP.
Recognised agencies (RAs)
The following agencies are recognised by MPI to provide verification services under Organic Export Requirements: Recognised Agencies and Persons (OER: RAP).
|
RA organisation |
Address |
Phone |
Website |
Contact person |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
AsureQuality Limited
|
Level 1 |
0508 001 122 |
Matt Gallagher |
|
|
Notes: This agency is approved to provide evaluation and verification services for the Organic Export Requirements: Overseas Market Access Requirements covering access to the following markets: China, European Union, Japan, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom, and United States of America. |
||||
|
BioGro New Zealand Limited
|
6 Herd Street, Clyde Quay Wharf, Te Aro, Wellington 6011 |
04 801 9741 |
Felicity Roberts |
|
|
Notes: This agency is approved to provide evaluation and verification services for the Organic Export Requirements: Overseas Market Access Requirements covering access to the following markets: China, European Union, Japan, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Kingdom, and United States of America. |
||||
Recognised persons
A list of the persons recognised by MPI to provide various evaluation, verification, and certification services under "Organic Export Requirements: Recognised Agencies and Persons (OER: RAP)" can be found here:
- Organics recognised person register [PDF, 231 KB]
Becoming a recognised agency
Contact MPI if your organisation is interested in becoming an RA. MPI will need to see that you:
- have a quality system that meets the requirements of Organic Export Requirement: Recognised Agencies and Persons (OER: RAP), and
- have accreditation to either:
- ISO/IEC 17020 Conformity assessment – Requirements for the operation of various types of bodies performing inspection, or
- ISO/IEC 17065 Conformity assessment – Requirements for bodies certifying products, processes and services.
The accreditation body and an MPI technical expert make a recommendation that MPI recognises your organisation as an RA, authorised to carry out specific tasks.
See OER: RAP clause 2.2 for more information.
Once you are recognised as an RA:
- your details are published in our register of recognised agencies and persons
- you are required to report regularly to MPI on your activities and compliance with Organic Export Requirement: Recognised Agencies and Persons (OER: RAP).
Who to contact
If you have questions about the application process or recognised agencies, email organics@mpi.govt.nz
