Dear NASAA Organic Member,

OUTCOME OF NASAA CERTIFIED ORGANIC PTY LTD (NCO) ACCREDITATION PROCESS: 
LIFTING OF SUSPENSION

I am writing to inform you of the outcome relating to NCO’s suspension resolution regarding their IOAS accreditation to Scheme: ISO/IEC 17065:2012.

As you would be aware, NCO is a wholly owned subsidiary of NASAA Organic, and whilst it is independently managed, the management and reputation of the business is concerning to the NASAA Organic executive and NASAA Organic membership.

It is with great pleasure that we inform you that the IOAS Accreditation Committee (AC) has made the decision to lift NCO’s suspension relating to the following scheme:

Scheme: ISO/IEC 17065:2012

Standards: 
•    National Standard for Organic and Bio-Dynamic Produce
•    Freshcare – Food Safety & Quality Standard
•    Freshcare – Supply Chain Standard
•    NASAA Organic and Biodynamic Standard

The IOAS AC concluded that NCO has resolved the issues that led to the suspension of the abovementioned scope.

Freshcare has also confirmed their decision to lift NCO’s suspension relating to:
•    Freshcare Australian Wine Industry Standard Sustainable Practice – Viticulture (AWISSP VIT); and
•    Freshcare Australian Wine Industry Standard Sustainable Practice – Winery (AWISSP WIN).

This means that NCO accreditation remains in place, and they can:
•    continue to maintain their operators’ ongoing certification for all scopes above (including annual inspections and re-certification),
•    finalise contracts for initial inspections,
•    accept new applicants for organic certification, and
•    accept additional extensions of scope for new land, schemes, processes, and activities.

Additional Scheme Programs: Operators certified with NCO under NOP and JAS continue to be recognised under NCO accreditations with the USDA and FAMIC.

The IOAS AC also advised it has made the decision to withdraw NCO’s accreditation for the following schemes and scopes effective 10 April 2024:

ISO/IEC 17065:2012 (EU Equivalence)
•    NASAA Organic and Biodynamic Standard relating only to the following add-ons:
o    NASAA Certified Organic Additional Requirements for Wine to EU,
o    EU Plant & Plant Products Additional Requirements (International),
o    EU Livestock Program Operator Additional Requirements – Equivalent to EC Reg 834/2007.

IFOAM 
•    IFOAM Program Operator Additional Requirements (add-on) to NASAA Organic and Biodynamic Standard certification.

NCO operators affected by the withdrawal of NCO’s ability to deliver on these schemes are currently being notified, and NCO Management and Staff will be assisting the operators in prioritising administrative tasks for their transitional arrangements.

The NASAA Board will be continuing to monitor the strategic business direction of NCO as it addresses the change in operational environment.

Yours sincerely,

Mark Anderson
Chair
NASAA Organic Board