A practical case of product certification for olive oil s P.D.O.

Transcription

1 MONTES DE TOLEDO PROTECTED DESIGNATION OF ORIGIN A practical case of product certification for olive oil s P.D.O. By Mr. Enrique García-Tenorio Milano, october 1 st 2015

2 Montes de Toledo is registered on the protection of geographical indications and denominations of origin since Since then, the first goal for these olive oil producers has been to guarantee to the consumer the fulfillment of the requirements of the product specification.

3 The management of this P.D.O. is made by a non profit organization: Fundación Consejo Regulador de la Denominación de Origen Montes de Toledo.

4 The governing body of the foundation is composed of representatives of farmers, olive oil processors and bottlers. Its functions are the promotion, certification and control of olive oil covered by the Protected Designation of Origin.

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6 Consumers need to be confident enough in the organization carrying out product certification; in its technical capacity, independence and impartiality.

7 For this reason, certification and controls are carried out by the Foundation according to the criteria of ISO The foundation is accredited by the Spanish Accreditation Body (ENAC) for certification of the products defined in the specifications of PDO in accordance with this standard.

8 This accreditation provides international confidence regarding the technical capacity of the certification body, its independence and impartiality. To guarantee this impartiality, the foundation has, in addition, an advisory committee that represents all the interests involved in the process, as producers, consumers and users.

9 The certification service of the foundation has currently certified the products of thirty five companies that make extra virgin olive oils under Montes de Toledo s specifications.

10 Prior to the product certification, the installations of the supplier are evaluated along the whole manufacturing process, to test whether they are adequate or not.

11 An audit of traceability, self-control procedures and all the requirements included in the technical specification is performed. Chemical, physical and organoleptic tests are performed on samples taken during audit.

12 Since 2000, the foundation owns a sensory laboratory, authorized for official controls, accredited under ISO standard and recognized by the International Olive Oil Council. Prestigious independent laboratories, also accredited, carry out physical & chemical analysis.

13 Corrective and remedial actions must be implemented to solve non-conformities identified during audits, before granting certification. If everything is correct, the supplier obtains a license to use the mark of conformity.

14 An annual follow-up audit is conducted to verify that the certification conditions are properly maintained and the use of the mark of conformity is correct. Finally, the control body has established a surveillance plan that covers all stages of the commercial life of the olive oil, including taking product samples for later analysis.

15 The mark of conformity, owned by the foundation, allows us to control the use of the certification made by licensees operators. Also consumers can know who is responsible of product certification for possible claims

16 There is a sanctions mechanism for possible infractions that provides for penalties ranging from warning to the temporary or definitive revocation of the license to use the mark of conformity. However, most of the infringements are committed by actors not subjecteds to the certification system

17 Most fraud cases are detected inside the protected area, made by operators who use the appellation of origin without having their products certified. Although fraudulent use of the appellation of origin in product labeling is not usual, it is quite common to use it in advertising expressions such as style, type, or produced in, which certainly cause consumers confusion.

18 However, the foundation has no capacity to sanctioning that fraudulent use of the designation of origin, and cooperation with the authorities is necessary to detect and combat such fraud cases. Therefore it is essential an efficient mechanism for detecting and sanctioning infringements. Recognition of PDO by other countries like China or U.S.A., is essential as well.

19 Grazie - Gracias - Thank you Enrique García-Tenorio Director Fundación C.R.D.O. Montes de Toledo domt@domontesdetoledo.com