NPOP certification is renewed through the Certification Body's inspection every year. Each renewal needs the year's ICS records complete, last year's findings closed, and the member list current. This episode sets out how to prepare, what to update, and how to respond to the Certification Body.
The short version
- The CB inspects every operator at least once a year, at times that are not predictable.
- Close last year's non-conformities before the next inspection.
- Update the member list: new members, exits and changes.
- Report changes to the CB promptly, as your agreement requires.
What Renewal Involves
The yearly inspection, based on a complete year of ICS records, and the CB's certification decision.
- The CB inspects every operator at least once a year, plus additional and unannounced inspections based on risk.
- For a grower group, the CB inspects after the ICS has inspected every farmer twice in the year.
- The certification decision is taken by people other than those who inspected.
Ask your Certification Body for its current renewal checklist and dates. Requirements can differ in detail between bodies.
Preparing Each FPO
Update members, complete two inspection rounds, close findings, and check data against Tracenet.
- Update the member list.New members approved through the inclusion procedure; exits recorded.
- Complete two inspection rounds.Every farmer, with decisions recorded.
- Close last year's findings.Corrective actions done and verified.
- Check the data.Survey numbers, areas and crops against land records and Tracenet.
- Check training records.Farmer and inspector training for the year, documented.
Illustrative workload. At about three minutes per farmer to check land records, 10 FPOs of 50 farmers take about 25 hours every year.
Working With the Certification Body
Report changes promptly, keep to the CB's timelines, and answer queries in full.
- Your agreement with the CB requires you to inform it of changes, such as new members, exits or new crops.
- Keep to the timelines for submitting data and closing non-conformities.
- Answer queries fully and on time; a late answer can delay the certificate.
- Pay the CB's fees as agreed, and keep the receipts.
Check yourself
Tap an answer to see whether you are right, and why.
How often does the Certification Body inspect an NPOP operator at least?
- Every two years
- Once a year
- Only at first certification
Plus additional and unannounced inspections based on risk.
A new member joined mid-year. What must the FPO do?
- Nothing until renewal
- Inform the CB, as the agreement requires
- Hide it
Operators must inform the CB of changes.
Remember these things
- The CB inspects at least yearly.
- Two ICS rounds before it does.
- Close last year's findings.
- Report changes promptly.
Renewal is simple when the year's records are complete and last year's findings are closed. KrushiFlow validates these fields and submits farmer records to the portal in bulk.