Control System

EGYCERT Organic Control System comprises at least the application of precautionary and control measures described in EGYCERT Production Standard and Control Measures. In this context, the nature and frequency of the controls is determined on the basis of an assessment of the risk of occurrence of irregularities and infringements as regards compliance with the requirements laid down in the Standard by the Operators. In any case, all operators, with the exception of wholesalers dealing only with pre-packaged products and operators selling to the final consumer, shall be subject to a verification of compliance at least once a year. This means that EGYCERT shall carry out at least once a year a physical inspection of all operators.

Moreover, EGYCERT collects and analyses samples every year which correspond to at least 5% of the number of operators under its control. The selection of the operators where samples have to be taken shall be based on the general evaluation of the risk of non-compliance with the organic production rules, as laid down in EGYCERT Production Standard and Control Measures. EGYCERT shall also take and analyse additional samples in each case where the use of products or techniques not authorised for organic production is suspected. In such cases no minimum number of samples to be taken and analysed shall apply.

Upon the end of a physical control (inspection), a control report shall be drawn up and shall have to be countersigned by the operator and by EGYCERT Inspector.

Finally, to better support the efficiency of its Organic Control System, EGYCERT shall carry out random control visits, primarily unannounced, based on the general evaluation of the risk of non-compliance with the organic production rules.

All controls (inspections) are carried out by EGYCERT competent staff. Operators are informed in due time about the scheduled control visits, unless these controls are selected by EGYCERT to be unannounced.