Quavera Alliance approves new members

Quavera’s mission is to ensure organic integrity at a global level by competent and trustworthy local certification bodies. Celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2014, Quavera has announced two new members from the southwest and northeast of Europe. The two new Quavera members, Ekoagros and Sativa, submitted to a rigorous evaluation process which included an on-site visit. A third certification body from Slovenia is currently undergoing this procedure.

Ekoagros provides certification services for organic production in Lithuania. “For us joining Quavera Alliance is an important step,” says Tomas Demikis. “Quavera is the perfect platform to further improve our certification.” Sativa is the leader in organic certification in Portugal. Sativa’s main work is organic certification, but certification according to other food standards is also offered. “Becoming a Quavera member gives us the opportunity to closely share experiences and network with similar certification bodies from other countries,” states Mafalda Carneiro from Sativa. “This allows us to improve the certification we deliver and to contribute to reinforcing the global integrity of organic products.”
 

Quavera members cooperate in quality management according to ISO 17065, for example by exchanging staff for internal audits, as well as in competence management for staff and inspectors and in different certification programs. Quavera Alliance recently implemented the EU-funded project IRM-Organic to support inspector’s competence for risk-oriented inspections. Up-to-date information on the Quavera Alliance can be found on its webpage.