Introduction of Organic JAS Certificationorganicgovts.com/.../5.161028JONA_IAOYF_Organic-JAS... · Organic JAS Regulations Organic JAS Standards : The specification of organic products,

Introduction of Organic JAS Certification

IFOAM Asia Organic Youth Forum In Changzhou, China

Keiko Oka

Japan Organic and Natural Foods Association (JONA)

October 28, 2016

1JAPAN ORGANIC & NATURAL FOODS ASSOCIATION (JONA)28 Oct 2016

Contents1. Introduction of JONA

2. Organic agriculture and Trends of organic foods in Japan

3. Organic JAS regulation


1. Introduction of JONA


JONAJapan Organic and Natural Foods AssociationEstablished in 1993Non-profit organization

Mission

JONA aims to promote organic agriculture which is suitable for the climate and natural features of the region, taking into account global trends of Organic.

JONA works on various activities and organic certification in order to continuously develop organic agriculture which enhances and uses the circulation function of the nature.

4Japan Organic & Natural Foods

Association (JONA)28 Oct 2016

28 Oct 2016Japan Organic & Natural Foods

Association (JONA)5

Member of IFOAM Organics International

Various networks and collaboration with certification bodies, organic agricultural groups, dietary education groups, academics, consumer groups, distributors, governments, and so on.

The core members of JONA are those who have been engaging in organic agriculture, organic processing and/or marketing organic products for a long time.

JONA

*Figures as of 31 Dec 2015

JONA Our activities

Organic certification – to fill the life with OrganicCertifying not only foods but also non-foods such as cosmetics , agricultural inputs, textile traceability and restaurants

Organic classes for kids and parents “seeds+(plus)”–to make foods organically and eat

Organic Field Trip “Future map of organic” – to create opportunities of networking among young farmers, consumers and distributors.

Experiment farm – Traditional Japanese crop rotation of Rice, wheat and soy bean in 2 years.

6Japan Organic & Natural Foods

Association (JONA)28 Oct 2016

Seeds+: Farming experience –Harvesting rice

28 Oct 2016 JAPAN ORGANIC & NATURAL FOODS ASSOCIATION (JONA) 7

Seeds+: Farming experience –Sewing the seeds of wheat


Seeds+: Cooking experience –Preparing Soy bean paste


Seeds+: Farming experience –Harvesting tea leaves


次代の農を考える会(U-39)：有機圃場見学('08年7月)

Future map of Organic:Visiting Young organic farmers


Future map of Organic:Visiting GM corn fields


Future map of Organic:Visiting organic soy sauce processor


Future map of Organic:Tea seminar


JONA – organic certification

The first private organic certification body in Japan (since 1993).

Has been registered to MAFF as a JAS certification body since 2000.

Accredited to ISO17065, IFOAM, COR (Canada Organic Regime) of Canada and Reg. 834/2007 of European Union



JONA – organic certificationOne of the most experienced certification organization in Japan.

Collaboration with trustworthy certification bodies in other countries (COFCC, Argencert, OIA, IMOcert, Bio Latina, etc.)

*Figures as of 31 Dec 2015

Program Japan Overseas Total

JAS 433 41 474

JONA-IFOAM 21 6 27

JONA Original 18 0 18

EU 5 9 14

COR 14 5 19

2. Organic Agriculture and Trends of Organic Food in Japan


Organic Agriculture in Japan

Total Area of arable land in Japan: 451.8 million ha

Area of Certified organic field: 0.22%

Area of Non-certified organic field: 0.2%

Target of the Ministry: To increase the percentage of organic field to 1.0 % by Year 2018


Rice field Field Others Total (ha)

Japan 2,863 7,057 122 10,043

Overseas 4,640 1,930,988 68,328 2,003,956

Organic Agriculture in Japan

Total Population: 126.96 million

Farmers: Total 2.5 million farmers

◦ Certified Organic JAS farmers: 4,000 (0.16%)

◦ Not certified organic farmers: 8,000 (0.32%)

◦ Special cultivation (1/2 use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers): 45,000

Certified Organic JAS Area in Japan


Total

Total field

Rice

Annual crop

Pasture

‘

‘13‘12‘10‘09 ‘15‘14‘11

Perennial crop

Others

JAS-graded organic agricultural products in Japan


Total

Vegetable

Rice

Fruit

Tea

‘‘13‘12‘10‘06‘01 ‘02 ’03 ‘04 ‘05 ‘09‘08‘07

Annual Quantity of JAS graded organic agricultural products (grown in Japan)

‘14‘11

Demands of organic products in Japan observationsConsumers are more and more conscious about food safety, especially after the aftermath of the nuclear plant accident.

Superfoods such as maca, cacao and chia seed have become very popular.

They are more and more interested in organic products of non-food area. Organic cosmetic products appear to be demanded.

Japanese government advocates the policies to invite more foreign travelers and to export Japanese food.


3. Organic JAS Regulations

JAPAN ORGANIC & NATURAL FOODS ASSOCIATION (JONA) 2328 Oct 2016

What is JAS?

Japan Agricultural Standards

The Law Concerning Standardization etc. of Agricultural and Forestry Products (Normally called JAS Law)


JAS LawCovers not only organic but other agricultural products, including crops, livestock, and processed food.

Defines specification (JAS standards) of some types of products and labeling of all products.

Does not cover alcohol. National Tax Agency does.


JAS marks•Under JAS Law, there are several JAS marks.

Regular JAS marks for unique specification

Specific JAS marks for unique production process

Organic JAS marks

Production information JAS marks

Refrigerating distribution JAS marks


Specified Agricultural and Forestry Product

JAS law Art. 15-2 refers to “specified agricultural and forestry product”, which must be certified and labeled with Organic JAS mark for distribution in Japan.

Organic products of plant and processed food of plant origin are “specified-”.

Organic products of livestock and processed food from livestock are not.


JAPAN ORGANIC & NATURAL FOODS ASSOCIATION (JONA) 28

Specified agricultural and forestry product

Organic rice

Organic

mango

Organic

ketchup

Organic

mayonnaise

Organic soy

sauce

Organic

juice

Organic milk

It is mandatory for a JAS-certified operator to label

organic JAS marks on “specified-” products.

28 Oct 2016

Organic Equivalency Arrangement with other countries

JAS Law currently recognizes 6 countries (USA, Switzerland, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and Canada) and EU member states as having the organic labeling system equivalent to JAS. <for products imported to Japan>

JAS is recognized as equivalent to the organic regulations by EU, Switzerland, US, Canada and Colombia. <for products exported from Japan>


Import rules of organic products under JAS regs

There are two ways for overseas operators to have their products distributed as “organic” in Japan.

Option 1 (if you are in an “equivalent” country): Finding a JAS-certified importer

Option 2 (no matter where you are): Getting a JAS certification


Import-1In case that an operator in an “equivalent” country wishes to export to Japan,

Option 1: Finding a JAS-certified importer

An operator, certified to their local organic regs, in those country can export only Specified Agricultural and Forestry Product and a JAS-certified importer can label them as organic by verifying a certificate issued from the government of the exporting country.


Import-2

Option 2: Getting a JAS certification

In order to attach JAS marks, an operator applies to a JAS-registered certification body.

When certified, the operator may attach JAS marks and ship to Japan as organic. No control of the Japanese importer is necessary.



Certification System under JAS

Register

Apply

Apply

Evaluate & Certify

Operator

Ministry of Agriculture,

Forestry, and Fishery of

Japan

Registered

Certification

Body

28 Oct 2016

Organic JAS Regulations

Organic JAS Standards : The specification of organic products, which describes the guidelines and rules of producing and processing of organic products

Technical Criteria: The requirements for operators to establish the system of managing and controlling organic production/processing/handling


Organic JAS Standards

JAS of Organic Plants (Revision: Notification No.489 of February 24, 2016)

JAS of Organic Processed Foods(Revision: Notification No.489 of February 24, 2016)

JAS of Organic Livestock

JAS of Organic Feed


Operations for certificationProduction Process Management Director (PPMD)

of Organic Agricultural Products

of Organic Processed Food

Re-packer

Importer



JAS Standards of Organic PlantsArticle 4

•Parcels Annual- At least 2 yrs before sowing or planting

Perennial- At least 3 yrs before harvest

Avoid contamination

•Seed/Seedling Preference is organic, but, if unavailable, conventional can be used. Conventional seedling shall be used without remaining effect from synthetic fertilizers or pesticides. Non-GMO.

•Fertilization On-farm management is principal. Off-farm input must be listed in Table 1

•Pest Control Control without inputs is principle. Off-farm input must be listed in Table 2

•Post-harvest control Avoid contamination and co-mingling


JAS Standards of Organic Processed Food-1Article 4

Recipe JAS-certified organic ingredients must be more than 95% in weight.

Non-organic ingredients of agricultural or livestock origin can be used only when organic form is not available.

Additive must be listed in Table 1.

Salt and water are excluded from the calculation.

Organic Ingredients + Non-organic ingredients+ Additives

Organic Ingredients

X100≥95

(Excluding salt and water)

39

JAS Standards of Organic Processed Food-2Article 4

Physical or biological (no-GMO) processing is allowed.

Avoid co-mingling and contamination.

Pest control at facilities should be controlled in physical or biological methods. Substances used for pest facility control during organic processing are listed in Table 2. Other substances can be used in a condition that it does not contaminate organic food (JONA Organic Standard 9-5-4).

JAPAN ORGANIC & NATURAL FOODS ASSOCIATION (JONA)28 Oct 2016

Requirements for operatorsTechnical Criteria(Revision: Notification No. 1256 of June 1, 2016)

A certified operator must have…

1. JAS Managers to control production process and grading. Some must complete JAS training.

2. Internal Regulations and Grading Regulations as manuals

3. Facility or parcels


JAS ManagerPPMD

Production Process Manager (PPM)Production Process Management Staff (PPMS)Grading Manager (GM) / Grading Staff (GS)

Re-packerRepacking Manager (RM) / Repacking Staff (RS)Grading Labeling Manager (GLM)

Bold letter= Needs to complete a JAS training designated by a certification body.


Roles of JAS managers (1)Technical Criteria II.-1.

Production Process Manager and Repacking Manager are responsible for…

1. Drafting and implementing the Internal Regulations

2. Drafting and implementing a plan of managing a subcontracted operation

3. Handling troubles in production process


Roles of JAS managers (2)Technical Criteria IV.

Grading (Labeling) managers and grading (labeling) staff are responsible for…

1. Conducting an inspection of production process (not mandatory for re-packers)

2. Control of organic JAS marks


Documents – JAS ManualsInternal Regulations (Internal rules)

Internal Regulations are a manual of an operator regarding how to produce / process / repack organic products. This is similar to Organic System Plan of NOP.

Grading Regulations (Grading rules)Grading Regulations are a manual about how an operator grades organic products and to control JAS marks.



Association (JONA)45

Internal Regulations for P.P.M.D of organic agricultural plant (1) Technical Criteria II.-2.Items

1.Obtainment of seeds, seedlings, etc. (full bodies or parts of seedlings, nursery stocks, scions, stocks, and other plant bodies other than seeds used for propagation);

2. If the operation is the sprout production at facilities, sterilization of seeds (Added in the revision as of

Dec. 3 2015) ;

3.Manuring practice, pest and disease control of, general management and management of raising seedlings;

4.Machines and tools used for production;


Internal Regulations for P.P.M.D of organic agricultural plant (2) Technical Criteria II.-2.Items

5. Harvest, transportation, selection, processing, cleaning, storage, packaging and other post-harvest processes;

6. Creation of the management or control records of production process and Storage period of those records and supporting documents (Added in the revision as of June 1, 2016);

7. Dealing with complaints;

8. Establishment an annual production plan and notification of it a certifying body and

9. Matters necessary for a certifying body to properly conduct services such as confirmation of management or control of production processes.


Internal Regulations for P.P.M.D of Organic Processed Foods(1) Technical Criteria II.-2.

Items

1. Acceptance and storage of ingredients and confirmation of grading label;

2. Mixture rate of ingredients;

3. Management of the manufacturing, processing, packaging, storage and other processes;

4. Machines and tools used for the manufacturing, processing, packaging, storage and other processes;

5. Creation of the management or control records of production process and Storage period of those records and supporting documents (Added in the revision as of June 1, 2016);



Internal Regulations for P.P.M.D of Organic Processed Foods(2) Technical Criteria II.-2.

Items

6. Dealing with complaints;

7. Establishment of an annual production plan and a notification of the plan to a Certifying Body (a Registered Japanese or Overseas Certifying Body; hereinafter the same); and

8. Matters necessary for a Certifying Body to properly conduct services such as confirmation of the implementation of the management or control of the production process.



Internal Regulations for Re-packer(1) Technical Criteria II.-2.

Items

1. Acceptance and storage of organic plants, organic processed foods of plant origin, organic feeds and organic livestock products (hereinafter referred to as “organic foods and feeds”);

2. Confirmation of grading labels of organic foods and feeds before re-packing;

3. Re-packing methods;

4. Machines and tools for re-packing;


Internal Regulations for Re-packer(2) Technical Criteria II.-2.

Items

5. Creation the management or control records of repacking and the Storage period of those records and supporting documents (Added in the revision as of June 1, 2016);

6. Dealing with complaints

7. Matters necessary for a certification body to properly conduct services such as confirmation of re-packing.

What is grading?Grading is to check compliance with JAS standards for each lot (Inspection of Production Process) and to attach JAS marks on the products or an invoice.

How to check the compliance with JAS standards? – By records.

How to control JAS marks? – By recording how many JAS marks are printed, used, lost, and left.


Images on grading



Grading Regulations Technical Criteria IV.-1.

Items

1. Inspections of the production process;

2. Labeling as graded;

3. Shipping or disposing consignments after graded;

4. Handling the consignments found non-conformity after shipped (Added in the revision as of June 1, 2016);

5. Making and keeping the record of grading; and

6. Matters necessary for a Certifying Body to properly conduct services such as confirmation of grading implementation.

LabelingOnly a certified operator can use Organic JAS logos. They must use Organic JAS logo correctly.


JONA – IFOAM StandardsSome differences in standards from JAS

1. Requires operators to set their own target for organic matters, ingredients of compost from the inside of the farm not to depend on those sourcing from outside;

2. Prohibits the use of seeds and seedlings treated with prohibited substances;

3. Prohibits the use of genetically-modified (or –engineered) substances even in packaging materials.


JONA – IFOAM StandardsSome differences in standards from JAS

4. Contains the requirements concerning social justice (eg. Labour rights, working conditions, etc.); and

5. Sets the maximum amount of nitrogen input to avoid certified organic farm from causing environmental pollution of excess use of nitrogen input and/or destruction of soil fertility.


Key points of organic certification


Organic Risk: 1. Contamination by prohibited substances

2. Co-mingling with non-organic products

Organic integrity = no contamination nor co-mingling from soil to table

To get certified organic means to develop, implement and maintain the system to produce / process / handle organic products maintaining organic integrity.

Key points of organic certificationWhat is the System? – to elaborate the procedures (= manuals) to produce, process and handle organic products avoiding contamination and co-mingling and to follow the procedures.

Why are the records important in organic system? –Because it is the only way to prove the product is organic.

Third party certification is not just about Logo or Organic claim, but the the management and quality control system. The system must be reviewed and continuously improved.


Conclusions1


Make organic certification more accessible.

Move forward to be more organic - Technical development

- Deeper understanding of Organic

- Seminars, workshops, exchange information and sharing experiences

ResourcesMAFF’s website

JPN http://www.maff.go.jp/j/jas/jas_kikaku/yuuki.html

ENG http://www.maff.go.jp/e/jas/specific/organic.html

JONA

JPN http://jona-japan.org/

ENG http://jona-japan.org/english/


http://www.maff.go.jp/j/jas/jas_kikaku/yuuki.html

http://www.maff.go.jp/e/jas/specific/organic.html

http://jona-japan.org/

http://jona-japan.org/english/


Thank you.

28 Oct 2016