Are products obtained with sustainable production systems. That is achieved by means of:
• Rational use of natural resources
• Not using products of chemical synthesis
• Increasing or maintaining fertility
• Increasing or maintaining biodiversity
• Keeping records that prove an adequate management

An organic product must keep identity and integrity and must be certified by an authorized certifier.

There is a wide variety of organic food certified; some of them are: pears, apples, citrics, juices and fruit concentrates, table grapes, melons, wine, olive oil, sunflower (kernel and oil), soybean, corn, wheat, safflower, onions, flax, buckwheat, garlic, millet, mate herb, rye, raisins, marmalades, cookies, noodles, cucumbers, olives, amaranth, rice, pepper, pumpkin, eggplant, lavander and other aromatics and spices, asparagus, honey, cotton, wool, fibers, eggs, chicken, beef, sheep, milk, cheese, sugar, etc.

The certification helps to guarantee origin, identity and integrity of an organic product to the consumer (in today's world it is very difficult to know who produces a product and be able to trust the product quality). It also guarantees the producer the organic condition of the process under follow-up, and the product identity.

Certifying agencies certify organic products. In Argentina, they are private companies authorized, regulated and controlled by SENASA. The certifiers verify and control the compliance of organic standards, request updated records, organize inspections and finally, grant the seal and issue a certificate to those products or processes that comply with the standards.

Yes, as long as your certificate has the adequate scope.

Find out with your certifier about the destination market and it will assist you with the export requirements regarding certification.

OIA was the first certifier authorized by SENASA to certify animal productions with Register No. 001 and is also registered under No. 098 in ex-IASCAV as certifier of vegetal productions.

A producer can export to the EU if its certifier is authorized to enter that market. OIA is acknowledged and authorized by the EU. This means that OIA has complied with all the international requirements (EN45011/ISO 65) demanded to enter certified products to the EU

IFOAM is the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements, an organization that sets the basic procedures for this production system.

IFOAM represents the worldwide movement of ecologic agriculture and it is a place of exchange and international cooperation.

IFOAM is committed to the entire development of the ecologic agriculture systems, including environment preservation and respect to mankind needs.

For additional information please visit www.ifoam.org

Any person or company can became an IFOAM member. If you associate to it you support IFOAM's international work in favor to the Organic Agriculture.

Being IFOAM ACCREDITED means a recognition to our way of work and our certification quality.

OIA is not only IFOAM member, but also is IFOAM ACCREDITED.

To be IFOAM ACCREDITED, OIA's procedures, standards and the work of its team of professionals and technicians are constantly under international audits.

The accreditation scope includes organic certification, vegetal production, animal production, wild vegetal collection, processing and input production.

You can download them free of charge from our website of request them at our main office placed in Avenida Santa Fe 830, Acassuso, Pcia. de Buenos Aires, Argentina.

You can also request them at our branch offices in Cuyo and Brazil.

In the organic production standards there is a list of permitted inputs.

The transition period takes two years for annual crops and three for multi-annual crops. After a year of follow-up, the products are considered in transition to organics.
That period can be prolonged or shortened according to verifiable backgrounds.

17- How is an organic product marketed?

An organic product is always marketed with the certificate back-up, which shows the compliance of organic standards from production to finished product.

The certifier does never participate in the product marketing.

18- Is there a price difference between an organic and conventional product?

The organic products are differential products (identifiable, with smaller offer and endorsed quality) and have an added value comparing with conventional products.

19- What other advantages does an organic producer receive?

Besides commercial advantages and the environmental conservation, the organic producer can promote a product that has own identity and position accoding to its quality, in a commercial chain different from the conventional products.

20- What are the GMO or Transgenic products?

The term“genetically modified organism” (GMO) implies "an organism whose genetic material has been modified in a way that does not respond to natural mating and/or recombination mechanisms".

You can consult the following OIA document: NC44 - lista productos OGM.pdf. Also, find more information in our section of Preserved Identity Certification Program - NON GMO: www.oia.com.ar/noogm.asp).

21- Can I purchase products certified by other certifying agency?

Reciprocity with other certifiers
Yes, you can purchase products certified by other certifiers as long as they are internationally accredited. It is important to find advise in OIA before purchasing products certified by other agencies so we can assist you in the steps to be taken.