Ecological Product / Service Certification
Today, ecological agriculture is rapidly developing across the globe. Especially in developed countries, the demand for ecological products exceeds supply. In this context, every country should define its strategies, create opportunities, and prepare an action plan. Ecology, the science of studying the relationships between living organisms and their environment, has its origins in Latin and passed into modern languages via French. “Ecological” refers to anything related to and compatible with Ecology.
Which Product Groups Does Ecological Product Certification Cover?
Ecological product certification applies to a broad range of product groups. These categories are continuously evolving, but the most fundamental include:
- Cleaning products (detergents, etc.)
- Textile and clothing products (shoes, clothes, etc.)
- Paints and varnishes
- Electrical and electronic products (computers, etc.)
- Floor covering products (parquet, carpet, etc.)
- Furniture
- Garden products (artificial fertilizers, etc.)
- Oils used for lubrication and foods
- Bedding products (duvet covers, mattresses, etc.)
- Papers (photocopy paper, toilet paper, etc.)
Basic Principles of Ecological Production
- Establishing a sustainable system throughout the entire production chain while ensuring high-quality and sufficient output.
- Harmonizing with natural cycles and all living systems in the production process.
- Preserving and utilizing traditional agricultural knowledge.
- Applying modern techniques in line with natural production processes.
- Maintaining soil fertility and biological activity through appropriate practices like crop rotation, green fertilization, and biological methods, rather than relying heavily on intensive inputs.
- Conducting pest and disease control activities in harmony with plant and animal production processes.
- Minimizing pollution that could harm human and animal health or the environment, and avoiding the use of synthetic chemicals, hormones, or additives.
- Ensuring that animal welfare needs are met in the production of animal products.
- Conserving agricultural and natural biological diversity within and around the production environment.
- Reducing energy consumption and using local, renewable resources in production activities.
- Protecting water systems and resources.
- Ensuring that products maintain their ecological integrity throughout processing, packaging, and distribution.
- Providing a healthy and safe working environment for all involved in the production process.
- Encouraging the creation of an ecologically balanced production, processing, and distribution chain.
- Independent, impartial audits to ensure adherence to ecological production standards.
The concept of sustainability is central to ecological production. Sustainability has two key aspects. The first is the long-term protection and efficient use of natural resources. The second is the establishment of a production system that is socially, economically, and ecologically balanced.
The International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM) describes the principles of ecological production as follows:
- To produce high-quality, nutritionally rich food in adequate quantities.
- To work in harmony with natural systems rather than dominating them.
- To promote a system that stimulates plant and wildlife health.
- To ensure producers and organizations receive fair income and a safe working environment.
- To view ecological production as a way of life and take a holistic, long-term perspective.
QIS is here to assist with your Ecological Product Certification needs.
You can contact us for more information on how we can support you in achieving certification.