Eugene, Oregon
March 4, 2008
The
OMRI (Organic Materials Review Institute) Review Program has
achieved USDA accreditation under International Organization for
Standardization Guide 65:1996 (ISO-65). Best known for its work
as an independent nonprofit certifying the compliance of
fertilizers, pesticides, and other inputs to organic
agriculture, OMRI received final notice of ISO-65 accreditation
for its product certifications at the end of January 2008.
OMRI had already implemented a new quality control system in
May, 2007 to comply with ISO-65 guidelines. Among other
improvements, the new system builds upon OMRI's trusted input
certification process with random inspections of a small
percentage of OMRI Listed products and associated production
facilities.
“ISO accreditation represents a milestone for OMRI in terms of
formal recognition of our input product certifications as well
as increased quality control in accordance with internationally
recognized standards,” said Miguel Guerrero, OMRI marketing
director.
Official ISO-65 accreditation represents the culmination of a
long-term project for the Eugene, Oregon-based organization
after two years of standards and policy development, including a
public comment period. The USDA completed a desk audit last
fall, and in December 2007, two agency auditors visited the OMRI
office for a two-day intensive review of the quality system and
records.
“Our recent accreditation under ISO-65 by the USDA identifies
that we have an acceptable quality system that uses National
Organic Regulations as its standards to certify input products,”
explains OMRI executive director David DeCou.
Changes implemented to achieve ISO accreditation have greatly
improved the organization� s ability to monitor ongoing product
compliance. The new quality control system displays a
strengthened commitment to do random inspections of facilities
and unannounced sampling of product from the stream of commerce.
“Our ISO quality system moves us significantly forward in
compliance monitoring of our products,” explains DeCou, “OMRI's
policies now require that we re-review every product every three
years and audit at least one percent of our clients every year.”
OMRI currently works with over 600 companies in its Review
Program. This year� s OMRI Products List, an annual directory of
all products OMRI has determined are allowed for organic
agriculture or food processing and handling, has almost 1,600
products. |
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