New certification bodies to manage PAS 100 compost scheme

To mark the official introduction of the Quality Protocol for Compost, the Composting Association and WRAP (the Waste and Resources Action Programme) are pleased to announce a major development for the PAS 100 compost certification scheme.

From June 2007, two companies, CMi Certification and Organic Farmers & Growers, will take over management of the scheme on their behalf.

The Composting Association will handle both existing and new applicants to the scheme until June. After this time applicants will be handed over on a phased basis to the two certification bodies that will administer the scheme and carry out the on-site audits. Both companies are experienced operators in this field and will assist in promoting the scheme to a wider audience and providing an efficient service to current producers on the scheme.

Jane Gilbert, Chief Executive of the Composting Association said “We are expecting a significant increase in the number of composters wanting to become certified to PAS 100 standard so it seems like a natural decision to subcontract it to specialist organisations who can give the scheme the time and resources it deserves.

“CMi Certification and Organic Farmers & Growers are experts in this field and have managed a number of similar schemes. We are confident that the transition to the new management will be seamless and that composters currently on the scheme will start to see improvements to the service immediately. We will still have overall control but composters will be dealing with CMi Certification and Organic Farmers & Growers on a daily basis rather than our technical team.”

Richard Swannell, Director of Organics, WRAP, said “The appointment of independent certification bodies is an important step for the industry. It will help build the confidence of all stakeholders involved in the certification process for compost. It is also a key plank in the implementation of the Quality Protocol for compost”.

Tim Green, Agriculture Director of CMi Certification added “We look forward to working with the Composting Association on this new exciting venture. Composting is a growth industry and becoming increasingly popular as a diversification enterprise on farms as the UK is having to recycle more garden and kitchen waste into compost stipulated by the Landfill Directive.”

Richard Jacobs, Chief Executive of Organic Farmers & Growers, said: “We're very pleased to be working with the Composting Association and WRAP to offer the PAS 100 standard. It's a natural extension to our existing expertise in certification and I know that clients will appreciate the practical approach offered by our friendly team!”

1. The Composting Association is the UK's leading membership organisation for the composting and biological waste treatment industries. It is committed to the sustainable management of biodegradable resources. It promotes the benefits of composting and other biological treatment techniques and the use of biologically treated materials for the enhancement of the environment, business and society.

2. CMi Certification is the UK's largest accredited Certification Body serving the food and farming industries certifying over 30,000 farms to a range of crop and livestock standards such as Tesco Nature's Choice, Assured Produce Scheme, ABM Beef and Lamb Farm Scheme, BRC wholesale and distribution, BRC, IFS and the newly developed ISO 22000 in the processing sector.

3. Organic Farmers & Growers (OF&G) is one of the UK's leading organic certification bodies and was the first such organisation to be approved by the government to offer inspection and licensing of organic food and farming. OF&G has its headquarters in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, with its inspection team spread throughout the UK.

To mark the official introduction of the Quality Protocol for Compost, the Composting Association and WRAP (the Waste and Resources Action Programme) are pleased to announce a major development for the PAS 100 compost certification scheme.

From June 2007, two companies, CMi Certification and Organic Farmers & Growers, will take over management of the scheme on their behalf.

The Composting Association will handle both existing and new applicants to the scheme until June. After this time applicants will be handed over on a phased basis to the two certification bodies that will administer the scheme and carry out the on-site audits. Both companies are experienced operators in this field and will assist in promoting the scheme to a wider audience and providing an efficient service to current producers on the scheme.

Jane Gilbert, Chief Executive of the Composting Association said “We are expecting a significant increase in the number of composters wanting to become certified to PAS 100 standard so it seems like a natural decision to subcontract it to specialist organisations who can give the scheme the time and resources it deserves.

“CMi Certification and Organic Farmers & Growers are experts in this field and have managed a number of similar schemes. We are confident that the transition to the new management will be seamless and that composters currently on the scheme will start to see improvements to the service immediately. We will still have overall control but composters will be dealing with CMi Certification and Organic Farmers & Growers on a daily basis rather than our technical team.”

Richard Swannell, Director of Organics, WRAP, said “The appointment of independent certification bodies is an important step for the industry. It will help build the confidence of all stakeholders involved in the certification process for compost. It is also a key plank in the implementation of the Quality Protocol for compost”.

Tim Green, Agriculture Director of CMi Certification added “We look forward to working with the Composting Association on this new exciting venture. Composting is a growth industry and becoming increasingly popular as a diversification enterprise on farms as the UK is having to recycle more garden and kitchen waste into compost stipulated by the Landfill Directive.”

Richard Jacobs, Chief Executive of Organic Farmers & Growers, said: “We're very pleased to be working with the Composting Association and WRAP to offer the PAS 100 standard. It's a natural extension to our existing expertise in certification and I know that clients will appreciate the practical approach offered by our friendly team!”

1. The Composting Association is the UK's leading membership organisation for the composting and biological waste treatment industries. It is committed to the sustainable management of biodegradable resources. It promotes the benefits of composting and other biological treatment techniques and the use of biologically treated materials for the enhancement of the environment, business and society.

2. CMi Certification is the UK's largest accredited Certification Body serving the food and farming industries certifying over 30,000 farms to a range of crop and livestock standards such as Tesco Nature's Choice, Assured Produce Scheme, ABM Beef and Lamb Farm Scheme, BRC wholesale and distribution, BRC, IFS and the newly developed ISO 22000 in the processing sector.

3. Organic Farmers & Growers (OF&G) is one of the UK's leading organic certification bodies and was the first such organisation to be approved by the government to offer inspection and licensing of organic food and farming. OF&G has its headquarters in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, with its inspection team spread throughout the UK.

4. For more information, please visit www.compost.org.uk