February 2010
08.02.10 :: New logo selected for all EU organic products
The European Commission today officially announced the winner of the EU organic logo competition. Over the past two months, some 130,000 people have voted online to choose the new organic symbol from three finalists. The winning design is by Dusan Milenkovic, a student from Germany, who gained 63% of the overall vote for his "Euro-leaf" logo. From 1st July 2010, the organic logo of the EU will be obligatory on all pre-packaged organic products that have been produced in any of the EU Member States and meet the necessary standards. It will be optional for imported products. Other private, regional or national logos will be allowed to appear alongside the EU label. The organic farming regulation will be amended in the coming weeks to introduce the new logo into one of the annexes.
November 2009
28.11.09 :: European Union Organic Production & Processing Standard for Third Countries
Recently the IFOAM Accredited Certification Bodies (ACB) released a new document titled "European Union Organic Production & Processing Standard for Third Countries" which has been adapted directly from the European Regulations (EC) 834/2009 and the more detailed implementing rules in (EC) 889/2008. The purpose of this new document is to provide a base standard for control bodies and organic operators (producers, processors and traders) working outside the European Union.
The two original Regulations include many requirements of the control system relevant to the control bodies and many administrative requirements relevant to government authorities and the European Commission itself. These have been removed to leave only the requirements that need to be applied by the certified operators.
To all ICEA certified operators against EU Regulation in Malaysia, please take note that from now onwards all decisions made by ICEA EU Certification Committee will be made based on this new document.
A shorter version of the document specific for organic farming is also attached specifically targetted to farmers interested to apply for EU organic certification.
November 2008
01.11.08 :: Going organic easier for developing nations-Expert
SANTUBONG: If it took American policy makers nearly 20 years to impress American public the benefits of organic farming, how long will it take for Malaysia, a developing country to do the same to Malaysians?
31.10.08 :: Organic farming can grow fast in Sarawak-Researcher
SANTUBONG: Converting to organic agriculture could be easier in Sarawak as the most lands here are free from contamination, participants of the ‘Organic Asia – The Way Forward’ conference here, were told yesterday..
31.10.08 :: Call for single accreditation for world organic products
SANTUBONG: A single accreditation system needs to be worked out if there is to be harmonised standards in recognising agriculture products throughout the world.
28.10.08 :: ICEA is moving office
Starting from 9 December 2008 ICEA will move office to Via Nazario Sauro N° 2 - 40121 Bologna, Italy. Telephone and fax numbers remain unchange.
February 2008
Launching of Certification Alliance
A small crowd gathered at stand 4- 430 in Biofach late afternoon February 22nd 2008 to celebrate the historic launching of a one-stop inspection and certification service provider, the Certification Alliance.
Bridging Operators to Organic Markets Worldwide: Memorandum of Understanding Biofach Press Release
21 February 2008
In March 2007, Organic Agriculture Certification Thailand (ACT) in collaboration with the Instituto per la Certificazione Etica and Ambientale (ICEA) organized a seminar in Bangkok to explore options for regional collaboration in certification.
