First applications for the new Regenerative Organic Certification (ROC) scheme are expected during late summer 2019.
The US-based scheme was launched in March 2018 with the aim of developing sustainable agriculture practices that go beyond existing requirements under the US National Organic Program.
ROC is operated by the Regenerative Organic Alliance (ROA), a coalition of organizations and businesses led by the Rodale Institute.
The new certification scheme is based on a holistic, three-pillar approach – Soil Health, Animal Welfare and Social Fairness. The ROC scheme works with a number of other farming, animal welfare and social justice standards bodies, including USDA Organic, Demeter and Fair For Life. ROA says that working with existing “high-bar certifications” helps avoid duplicative audits or burdensome paperwork.
ROC applies a three-tiered approach (with Bronze, Silver, and Gold designations), intended to enable producers to adjust and adapt their practices over time, and allow for continuous improvement.
Around 80 farms and companies applied in 2018 to be part of a pilot program, from which just over 20 were recruited. Current participants include Horizon Organic, Dr Bronner’s, Patagonia and Bonterra.
Updating delegates on progress at this month’s Biofach Congress, Elizabeth Whitlow, newly installed as executive director at the Regenerative Organic Alliance, said that the first applications for the ROC scheme were expected this August. She added: “I can barely keep up with all the interest – it’s been a really exciting rid, and the next step on this amazin journey is just about to start”.
Answering a question from Natural Products Global about how the launch of the ROC scheme had been received by the wider organic industry in the US, and whether there were any fears that an additional layer of organic certification might create confusion among consumers, Whitlow said: “It was a concern for me when I interviewed for this role. I’d worked in organics for 17 years. I believe deeply in the principles of organic. I know many amazing organic farmers around the US – so I think it’s a really legitimate question.
“It’s very for important for us to be clear that we believe very deeply in organic, and that’s why it’s the foundation of the ROC standard. We also know that the federal rule for organics can’t do everything”
“But there’s been some confusion in the market place, and there’s been some real dissatisfaction frankly, especially when the hydroponic vote happened. And that’s come from both from industry and consumers.
“It’s very for important for us to be clear that we believe very deeply in organic, and that’s why it’s the foundation of the ROC standard. We also know that the federal rule for organics can’t do everything. It can’t be everything to everyone.
“There is a group called the Real Organic Project that has formed in the US. They have a different approach to us – I think it’s more of a negative approach towards the organic sector right now, but they are also coming round to working in a more positive direction. Mainly because in the end we’re a tiny, tiny fraction of agriculture, and what we really need to do is have more organic, more regenerative organic, more real organic – and really spread this movement so that we gain traction worldwide.”
Elizabeth Whitlow (left) and Annie Brown from the Regenerative Organic Alliance briefing delegates at this month’s Biofach Congress