Third-party certification is a process where an independent expert verifies that a product, service, or organization meets specific standards. This involves an assessment, which may include reviewing test evidence, facility inspections, and ongoing audits. The certification ensures that the product, service, or organization meets certain quality, safety, or performance requirements.
PGS are locally focused quality assurance systems. It certifies small- scale farmers based on active participation and is established on a foundation of trust and knowledge sharing among the group members. PGS is suitable for penetrating domestic organic markets, where all stakeholders can participate in the quality control process. The PGS has a much more intensive interaction between farmers, buyers and consumers and uses different tools to maintain trust. PGS integrates capacity building which enables small- scale farmers to follow standards and improve their agricultural practices. Through the direct interaction with the process, and the fact that it is owned by the small-scale farmers, there is more responsibility, transparency, and active involvement in the design of production processes which ensures quality products. Steps in developing a PGS group:
Kilimohai is the trusted mark of certified organic produce that is in alignment with the East African Organic Products Standard (EAOPS) EAS 456:2007