INTERNATIONAL ORGANIC ACCREDITATION SERVICE
A non-profit organisation
40 1st Ave WEST, Suite 104, Dickinson,
N.D. 58601, USA
Tel: +1 701 483 5504 Fax: +1 701 483 5508
E Mail: info@ioas.org
Web: www.ioas.org
ANNOUNCEMENT
Training Course on Evaluation of Organic Certification Bodies
The International Organic Accreditation Service (IOAS) announces that its second 3½-day course on evaluation of organic certification bodies will take place on November 20-23, 2006 at the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL), Frick , Switzerland.?
Course objectives
Participants will gain an understanding of the operation of inspection and certification bodies involved in organic agriculture and the regulatory environment in which they work and learn and practice the approaches and skills required to perform physical and desk audits of their operation against and in line with international Norms.
Target group
The course is specifically aimed at:
ŸAuditors from government authorities, related agencies and national accreditors;
Ÿ Administrators in import countries handling import approvals
Ÿ Administrators in export countries
Ÿ Managers and policy makers
Ÿ Certification body quality managers and auditors
Subject coverage
Ÿ Organic agriculture and its regulatory environment
Ÿ Conformity assessment
Ÿ Organic Norms - IFOAM, Codex Guidelines and national requirements
Ÿ Certification Body requirements - ISO65 and national requirements
Ÿ Organic Certification Body requirements - IFOAM requirements
Ÿ Document review
Ÿ Office audits
Ÿ Field audits
Ÿ Special situations in organic agriculture
Ÿ Risk, integrity and fraud
Teaching techniques
The course will be delivered using a variety of lectures, case studies and participatory assignments by IOAS evaluators and staff. A complete manual will be provided in support of the course.
Course Language English
The course will be to a mixed group of participants bringing their own experience from a wide range of environments. Places are limited and will be confirmed on a first come-first served basis. Individuals interested in such a course should contact: Dr David Crucefix, Assistant Executive Director on crucefix@ioas.org?
Deadline for applications:? October 20, 2006
Cost: US$1600 per participant covers the cost of the course itself all training materials and coffee/tea breaks and organic lunch in the FiBL restaurant.
Arrival and accommodation: Frick has direct public transport connection to the airports of Zürich and Basel (1 hour). In Frick there are 4 hotels with prices per person per day from 45 up to 120 Swiss francs.
Visas: Depending on your country of origin
