general requirements for milieukeur certification … · general requirements for milieukeur...

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR MILIEUKEUR CERTIFICATION SCHEMES forming part of the Milieukeur plant products in outdoor cultivation certification schemes

Start date: 1 February 2013

Review on: 15 june 2014

Set by: SMK

Code: AEM.9 / AP&V.2-PP.12

Serial number: MK.1

Publication of this scheme is subject to change. The most recent certification scheme and any 'additional provisions' are published at www.smk.nl. The Milieukeur word-brand and logo are legally protected and registered with the Benelux Trademarks Office under number 0516647. Sanctions will be imposed for the improper use of the word-brand or logo.

General requirements AEM.9 for Milieukeur PP 1 February 2013 to 15 June 2014 of 21

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CERTIFICATE HOLDER

External communications Requirement Assessment guideline Level

Use and application of the Milieukeur logo and wording: Application of the Milieukeur logo and wording is only permitted after the written permission from the

certification body. Permission will be granted to the certificate holder responsible for the correct use of the Milieukeur logo and wording, as well as for any participants. Use of the logo by certificate holders/participants is not obligatory.

If a Milieukeur logo and wording is used, it is obligatory to display the certificate holder's unique registration number with it. This number is supplied by the certification body. Participants must also show the number of the certificate holder.

The unique registration number must always show the name or abbreviation of the certification body. The use of the Milieukeur logo in combination with the unique registration number is only permitted in

communications from the certificate holder in relation to products or services with Milieukeur. If a certificate holder is certified for more than one certification scheme, the certification body can

permit this under the same registration number. The Milieukeur logo and wording may be applied with or without the addition of 'A sustainable choice'

by the certificate holder in communications. It is permitted to use the Milieukeur logo and wording and wording with the unique registration

number on communication carriers such as invoices and letterheads, on packaging or service-related communications from the certificate holder and on promotional material such as websites, brochures and catalogues.

Application of the Milieukeur logos and wording on communication carriers (as stated above) is not possible if they are (also) used for communication of non-Milieukeur-certified products or services, unless the products/services to which the Milieukeur certificate applies are clearly indicated.

If Milieukeur (logo, and/or in text) is displayed on (trade) documents, (quotations, invoices, delivery notes, stock lists etc.) and not all the products/entries on these documents are Milieukeur certified, each line must show whether the Milieukeur certificate applies to the relevant product.

The Milieukeur certificate is a product/service certificate and not any kind of business certificate. The Milieukeur logo and wording with the unique registration number are therefore always product/service-related. Not permitted in communications is, for example: “Business X has Milieukeur”; permitted is (for example): “Business X has Milieukeur for product Y”.

The Milieukeur logo or wording must not exceed the size and impact of the product, brand and/or

trade name. Only communication and presentation as a quality mark is permitted. Any suggestion that Milieukeur is a trade mark is not permitted.

The Milieukeur logo and wording may not be permanently applied to reusable packaging.

Audits/checks on adherence to communication requirements

Unique registration number is checked on: Websites Advertising leaflets Packaging Advertisements Posters Etc.

Major


Requirement Assessment guideline Level

If a cooperative association of different individual quality mark holders wants to issue a general communication about Milieukeur, the quality mark must be used without a registration number.

For (graphic) depictions of the logo please consult the 'Milieukeur logo guidelines'. These can be downloaded from the website www.smk.nl or requested by email [email protected]

If you have any questions, or in doubtful cases, please contact SMK on 070 358 63 00, or by email at [email protected].

Milieukeur product information If text about Milieukeur is placed on product packaging or in relation to a service, the following may be stated: 'The criteria of Milieukeur were developed by SMK and are realised with the cooperation and input from producers, retailers, government, scientists, environmentalists and consumer organisations. Would you like more information about Milieukeur? SMK, Alexanderveld 7, 2585 DB Den Haag, or www.smk.nl’. Milieukeur logo Milieukeur is the registered quality mark of SMK and is intended for Milieukeur certified products and services. The conditions of this certification scheme apply to any application of the Milieukeur logo and wording. Supervision In order to retain trust in the Milieukeur quality mark (for both buyers, consumers and other quality mark holders) SMK adheres to the rules lodged for the use of the Milieukeur name and logo. In this context SMK refers to the Milieukeur Certification System Regulation of 11 March 2010, Articles 4 (Image) and 5 (Legal protection of Milieukeur) and lodgement of the collective word/image at the Benelux Trademarks Office (12-08-1992/registration number 0516647). The general terms and conditions of the Environmental Advertising Code also apply. Milieukeur - a sustainable choice The slogan 'Milieukeur - een duurzame keuze' (Milieukeur - a sustainable choice') is registered with the

Slogan Committee of the Advertising Association (GvR) under number 1001033.

http://www.smk.nl/

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.smk.nl/


Environmental policy statement/coordinator Requirement Assessment guideline Level

Does not apply to: Butchers and supermarkets selling unpackaged Milieukeur meat Other treatment centres and processors Growers of Plant products in outdoor cultivation. For businesses < 5 fte there are no requirements concerning an Environmental Policy Statement and coordinator. Businesses > 5 fte must have an Environmental Policy Statement that meets the following requirements. A business must have an Environmental Policy Statement (renewable every three years to show

changes in policy). This must be displayed clearly for employees and/or customers. The Environmental Policy Statement must focus as a minimum on:

General environmental policy objectives / environmental policy outlines. Care for the environment as a structural part of business objectives.

Work carried out in accordance with business policy and set procedures. Registration/monitoring of environmental achievements. Written analysis of formulated objectives. And must be signed by management.

External communication of the environmental policy statement is encouraged (advice). Businesses > 10 fte must have an Environmental Policy Statement as described for businesses > 5 fte with the additional requirement: General rules concerning execution of the business's environmental policy in relation to meeting

statutory environmental regulations, employee training (businesses from 10 fte).

Businesses of 10 fte or larger must have an environmental coordinator. The following requirements apply here: The associated responsibilities of the person appointed as environmental coordinator are laid down in a

job description. Minimum responsibilities of this person are:

informing the organisation that they are the central contact point for all environmental matters. providing instructions concerning the environment or employees. managing and updating the environment archives.

NB: in the case of chain management, the above requirements concerning the environmental policy statement and the environmental coordinator apply for both the chain director and the participants.

Presence of environmental statement at companies > 5 fte.

Presence of environmental coordinator's job description at companies > 10 fte.

Testing the working method in practice.

Minor


Complaints Requirement Assessment guideline Level

Draw up internal procedure for recording complaints. Obligatory registration, handling and settlement of complaints about products/services with relevant

logo/in direct relation to relevant certification scheme. Record complaints within two working days of receipt. Complaint must have a serial number, date, complainant's name, brief description of the settlement

incl. time limit, date of settlement. Keep registrations for two years.

Check presence of and adherence to execution of procedure.

Major


SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CERTIFICATION BODY

Accreditation by Accreditation Council Certification is carried out in accordance with the standard EN 45011 by a certification body accredited by the Accreditation Council for the relevant certification scheme. The certification body must apply to the Accreditation Council before commencing with business certification. A copy of the confirmation of receipt of the application from the Accreditation Council must be sent to SMK within a week of receipt. The accreditation must be realised within a year of application. If this period

is exceeded the certification body must report this to SMK, stating the reason.

Area of applicability and SMK handbook The certification body must request the accreditation from the Accreditation Council for the relevant certification scheme for which they have a licence from SMK. The certification body receives the handbook from SMK upon agreement of a licence with SMK for a certification scheme.

Competence requirements The auditor (in the service of the certification body or on contract basis) employed for the certification by the certification body must meet the following requirements as a minimum: Education: Completed education to HBO level (area of study: plant, animal or foodstuffs technology related to the scope of the certification scheme). Alternatively:

MBO level (area of study: plant, animal or foodstuffs technology related to the scope of the certification scheme) with a minimum of two years'

additional experience in the field of product control and/or certification. Knowledge: Knowledge in the field of sustainability in the relevant sector, for example in the field of environmental impact. The knowledge must be corroborated by

education certificates or demonstrable experience in the relevant field. The auditor must be capable of interpreting the criteria correctly and know what the procedures and practice are at the relevant business.

Experience: At least one year's experience in carrying out audits for product, process or inspection schemes or a minimum of 10 full audits completed under the supervision of an experienced auditor.

The decision-maker is not involved with the immediate execution of the certification audit of the relevant organisation (certificate holder). The

decision-maker who determines the certification by the certification body must meet the following requirements as a minimum:

Education: Completed HBO technical or agricultural education connected to the scope of the certification scheme or able to demonstrate functioning at this level through experience.

Knowledge: Knowledge in the field of sustainability in the relevant sector, for example in the field of environmental impact. The knowledge must be corroborated by

education certificates or demonstrable experience in the relevant field. The decision-maker must be capable of correctly interpreting the auditor's reports and know what the procedures and practices are in the relevant sector.

Experience: A minimum of two years' experience of certification work. The decision-maker inspects the certification audit report and signs it. By approving and signing the report the decision-maker indicates that they have knowledge at least in main outlines of the content of the relevant certification scheme.

The certification body must be able to demonstrate the desired competence requirements. In case of uncertainty the Board of Experts can be consulted via SMK.


SMK payments The certification body charges one-off application costs and if applicable also annual dues. The rates for dues are determined by SMK and notified to the certification body by means of an appendix to the licence. Any changes to the rates are notified to the certification body by SMK in a new rates sheet. The rates sheet is also published on the SMK website. The dues apply per calender year in which a business is

certified (for part of the year).

Information exchange with SMK At least once a year consultation takes place between the SMK Board of Experts and the certification bodies to discuss the functioning of the certification scheme. The names and addresses of the applicants (and participants) will be used by SMK for sending SMK News, sending any changes in the certification scheme and for

publication of certificate holders and participants on the SMK website. SMK is committed to informing all certificate holders of the relevant certification scheme and the certification bodies with a licence for the relevant certification scheme about proposed changes in the certificate schemes. Certificate holders receive changes in the period of validity or publications of revisions. All changes and interim decisions are also published on the SMK website (www.smk.nl).

The certification body must inform SMK of new certificate holders and participants within one month of certification. If a certification body omits to inform SMK of new certificate holders or participants, SMK can at worst withdraw the CB's licence. If a certificate holder or participant is withdrawn from the scheme, the certification body must inform SMK of this within one month. SMK must also be informed if a

sanction has been imposed preventing renewed application for a specific period. The certification body provides information about the certificate holders and participants and their performance to SMK for the purpose of evaluations. The exact details concerning performance may differ per certification scheme and are included in a separate appendix with the licence. Definitions Business the term business is used for all enterprises,institutes and other organisations - both with and without a profit objective - which provide

products or provide services to third parties. A business may encompass more than one branch. In order to be considered a business with

more than one branch, the administration relevant for the certification must be located in one place (the principal place of business). Audit check by certification body.

Control check by chain director. Initial audit first audit after application (by certification body). Initial control first control after application) by chain director). Periodic audit subsequent audit with an existing certificate holder or participant. Periodic control subsequent control with an existing certificate holder or participant.

Certificate holder business or legal person holding a certificate issued on the basis of a Milieukeur or Barometer Scheme run by SMK. Chain director business or legal person who manages the production, sale and control system of a group of businesses (participants) according to the

conditions of the certification scheme and permits certified products or services to be produced and/or handled under his responsibility. This business or this legal person can apply as chain director (= certificate holder) whereby all the participants in the chain must meet the requirements of the relevant certification scheme and the chain director must meet the conditions laid down for the chain direction. The chain director (= certificate holder) is the owner and/or supplier of the product or the service in their chain.

Participant business or legal person that falls under the certificate of a chain director. Period of transition a period set to give existing certificate holders the opportunity to implement the new requirements after revision of the certification scheme.

Within a transition period the certificate holders have the option to base the audits (and controls) on either the previous certification scheme or the existing certification scheme. New certificate holders and new participants must always comply with the current certification scheme. At the audit following the completion of the transit period the criteria from the current certification scheme must be met. It is determined per publication of a revised certification scheme whether or not a transit period will be included, and if so, the applicable duration.

Minor a deviation that is not critical for the process, therefore with a minor effect on the certified product (6-month solution period).

Major a deviation that is critical for the process, therefore with a major effect on the certified product (1-month solution period).

http://www.smk.nl/


Critical major a deviation with an irreversible effect on the process and therefore also on the certified product (results in withdrawal of the certificate). Principal place of business the address where the business is registered with the chamber of commerce. Branches are directed from the principal place of business.

The principal place of business houses the relevant administration of the branches. Branch branch of a business or institute which carries out business activities in a different place to where the principal place of business is (legally)

registered. The principal place of business is responsible for the operational management and turnover. (Also: subsidiary). Rounding off rounding off of the measurement results takes account of the usual mathematical rules. For example, if the norm is 0.50, everything between

0.495 en 0.5049 is acceptable, with a norm of >0.5 everything >0.45 is acceptable). Critical major/Major/Minor For each certification scheme the obligatory basic requirements are subdivided into three levels, minor, major and critical major. Certification is only granted when all the requirements have been met. The following periods apply for the periodic audits/controls, depending on the type of shortcoming. If a minor shortcoming is

found, a period of six months is given to rectify the situation. If a certification scheme allows for one or a few minors during a follow-up audit (not the initial audit), this is indicated with the specific criteria of the relevant scheme. If a major shortcoming is found, a period of one month is given to rectify the situation. If the

certificate holder has not fulfilled the requirements after the agreed period, the certificate is withdrawn. A critical major results in withdrawal of the certificate. A certificate holder/participant always has the opportunity to show that a shortcoming has been unjustly established. A certificate holder/participant can actively withdraw during a production cycle for a whole or partial production. A new application needs to be made for the next production round. The general requirements are obligatory for every certificate holder and are classified as major (with the exception of the environmental policy statement).

The period for solving the established shortcoming starts on the date determined by the decision-maker.

Emergencies In the event of an emergency or force majeure, the Board of Experts can issue an exemption with or without conditions for temporary non-compliance with one or more obligatory criteria. The emergency and/or force majeure, including the relevant exemption period, will be put before the SMK Board of Experts on agrifood for their decision.

Complaints Complaints for which the certification scheme does not offer clarification will be presented to the SMK Board of Experts on agrifood.


Certificate regulation

_______________________ declares that the product/service _______________________________ (name of certification body) (product type/service + and any brand name) of ________________________ (name and address of certificate holder)

Sample logo

meets the requirements of the Milieukeur X / Barometer Y level Z certification scheme determined by the SMK Milieukeur Central Board of Experts on agrifood.

The following certification scheme applies:

Code and serial number of certification scheme :

Certification details:

Registration number : (abbreviation of certification body + unique number, max. 10 characters)

Date of issue of certificate :

Validity of certificate : (indefinite unless determined otherwise by the next audit)*

Signature:

Place :

Signature :

Signed by :

Current information about certified products and certification schemes is published at www.smk.nl

* The certification body may specify a period of validity.


CERTIFICATION PROCESS

The following pages show schematically the steps which a potential certificate holder must take to have their product/service certified.


Overview of audit frequencies with chain directors, participants and branches


Applying Requirement Assessment guideline Level

Potential certificate holder needs to apply to a CB and enter into a contract. (New) applications can be made at any time of year.

Contact details. Business details: Specific details required per certification scheme (see

specific certification scheme). Any licences and certificates (see specific certification

scheme). Contract with CB.

Major

Cancellation Requirement Assessment guideline Level

If a certificate holder wants to cancel certification they must send the certificate to the CB within five working days of written cancellation.

If circumstances prevent a certificate holder complying with the certification, the certificate holder must inform the CB immediately in writing (within two working days of ascertainment). If applicable the CB will make follow-up arrangements.

Certificate. Written proof of cancellation. Written proof of follow-up arrangements. If the CB does not receive the certificate within the

stated period without a reason being given, the CB is entitled to collect the certificate at the expense of the certificate holder.

CB is entitled to impose an application ban for a maximum of two years if the certificate holder does not inform the CB that they cannot comply while they could reasonably have been aware of this, or does not comply with the follow-up arrangements.

Major

Frequencies of additional audit/control Requirement Assessment guideline Level

An additional periodic audit can be carried out if:

Received complaints relate to non-compliance with the criteria by the certificate holder and/or participant(s).

Specific follow-up agreements between the CB and the certificate holder and/or participant(s) about solving deviations have been made.

The CB will assess whether a visit is required. An additional administrative and physical audit is necessary for changing the Barometer Level.

Documents referred to at application, allocation and validity

of the certificate and cancellation must be present.

Major


Unexpected Requirement Assessment guideline Level

No standard unexpected audits are carried out with an independent certificate holder. The CB is entitled to carry out an unexpected audit with an independent certificate holder on average once every five years.

For a certificate holder with participant(s)/branch(es) one unexpected audit is carried out once every three years with 10% of participant(s)/branch(es). If the time of the unexpected audit is impossible to accept (medical or other justifiable reason) one other opportunity is given for the unexpected audit to take place.

Documents related to certification must be present. Right to carry the logo lapses if:

Prescribed frequencies are not followed. Participant/branch does not provide required data. Participant/branch does not provide access to

relevant business sections. Second unexpected audit is not accepted.

Major


Additional conditions for chain direction Requirement Assessment guideline Level

Additional certification actions for an independent certificate holder with participants is obligatory, described on page 13. Appointment of chain director: Management designates someone responsible for carrying out the tasks of the chain director (= certificate holder) or for having them carried out. Qualifications for chain director: As a minimum completed education to HBO (plant, animal or foodstuffs technology connected with the

scope of the certification scheme). Alternatively: completed MBO education (plant, animal or foodstuffs technology connected with the

scope of the certification scheme) with a minimum of two years' additional experience in the field of product control and/or certification.

The chain director carries out checks or has them carried out on the authority of a third person (auditor).

This auditor must meet the educational requirements as described for the chain director. The chain director must be able to demonstrate the desired competence requirements. In case of uncertainty the Board of Experts can be consulted via SMK. Applying: The chain director must enter into a contract with a certification body. The chain director enters into a contract containing the following aspects with the participant:

The chain director has final responsibility for the product/service meeting the criteria of the certification scheme.

Responsibility of chain director and participant. Full cooperation of the participant during audits by CB/control by chain director. Frequency of audits/controls with accompanying sanctions. Participant makes required data available. Participant meets all the requirements of the relevant certification scheme. Participant fulfils rights

and obligations of relevant communications related to the certification scheme. Purchase and sales of Milieukeur product:

The participant is obliged upon supply to mark all Milieukeur certified products as a Milieukeur product (including quantities and weight) on the invoice and other trade documents, stating the certificate holder's Milieukeur number.

Non-pre-packaged Milieukeur products may only be purchased and sold by participants within the certificate holder's chain.

Non-pre-packaged Milieukeur products can only be purchased/sold via the chain director/certificate holder from/to third parties, with the exception of a non-pre-packaged Milieukeur product supplied direct to the consumer.

Pre-packaged Milieukeur products may be supplied independently to third parties (see definition of pre-packaged product1).

Procedures about communication to participant concerning changes in the certification scheme (with direct

See step-by-step plan on page 13.

Appointment letter, if a person responsible for the tasks is appointed.

Chain director's diploma and if applicable the auditor's diploma.

Chain director's statement of work experience and that of the auditor if applicable.

Chain director auditor contract.

Contact details. Business details. Specific details required per certification scheme (see

specific certification scheme). Any licences and certificates (see specific certification

scheme). Contract with CB. Chain director participant contract. Invoices provided for certified product.

Major

1 Definition of pre-packaged product: a product that is ready for preparation/use by the consumer and packaged in such a way that the product can only be accessed by changing something in the packaging (e.g. damaging or breaking it).



action communicate to participant within one month and otherwise with next control). Participant declaration:

The chain director declares that the relevant business is a participant in his Milieukeur chain and that the relevant participant produces and/or trades in Milieukeur products under his responsibility. This participant statement is signed by both parties.

If a chain director wants to hand proof of participation to the participant such proof must meet the following requirements: Period of validity Clearly show participation under the chain director's certification. Show logo with chain director's number Show chain director's signature The CB's signature and logo must not be shown (it is not a certificate issued by the CB). Note: this is not a Milieukeur certificate, but a certificate from the chain director that the participant participates under his responsibility. Cancellation: If circumstances prevent a participant from complying with the certification requirements, the participant must immediately inform the chain director of this in writing (within two working days of ascertainment). The chain director must report this (within five working days) in writing to the CB together with any follow-up arrangements that have been made.

Unexpected audits: The chain director is in this case regarded as the principal place of business and the participants as the

branch. For a certificate holder with participants one unexpected audit is carried out once every three years with 10% of participant(s)/branch(es).

Checking guidelines for chain director: The chain director checks his participants in accordance with the criteria and assessment guidelines set by the relevant certification scheme. Communication protocol with CB. The procedure for communication with CB needs to be drawn up by chain director as follows:

Declaration. Written proof of cancellation. Written proof of follow-up arrangements. If the declaration is not with the chain director within

the stated period without reason, the chain director is entitled to collect the declaration at the expense of the participant.

CB is entitled to impose an application ban for a

maximum of two years if the certificate holder omits to inform the CB that they cannot comply while they could reasonably have been aware of this, or does not comply with the follow-up arrangements.

Checklists. Checking reports. Checklists. Checking reports. Communication procedure.



The chain director must inform CB within one week of any new/cancelled participants. The chain director must formally report the participant to CB before products/services can be

traded by the relevant participant under the certificate holder's logo. The chain director must make current registrations available during the audit by CB. If during an audit CB establishes that the check by the chain director has not been carried out correctly (this means that one or more shortcoming(s) has (have) not been identified) the next five checks will be attended by the CB. A report of this will be drawn up.

Appendix with participants and their products traded under logo.

CB contract with chain director. Chain director contract with participant. CB report following chain director's check.


Legislation


The business meets the applicable international, national and regional legislation and regulations.

The business has a signed declaration that international, national and regional legislation is being complied with. The business furthermore has a signed declaration that no shortcomings have been determined by government bodies (the so-called summons). These shortcomings must be handled within the period set by government.

In the event of a shortcoming determined by a government body (a so-called summons) of parts relevant for Milieukeur (e.g. Environmental licence, AMvBs, working conditions), this must be reported to the chain director and/or certification body within a week.

Signed declaration present and meets requirements

In the event of a shortcoming assess severity in relation to Milieukeur. On the basis of this a sanction may be determined (minor, major, critical major).

Major various

Certification of a link in the chain Requirement Assessment guideline Level

A certificate holder is obliged actively to inform the next link in writing about certification obligation concerning communication with Milieukeur. The following rules should be taken into account in this regard. The Milieukeur certificate is obligatory for businesses that:

Issue and sell certified products/services under Milieukeur. Buy Milieukeur-certified, non-pre-packaged products and sell them under Milieukeur up to and

including the chain where the product is pre-packaged, together with any labelling. Buy Milieukeur-certified non-pre-packaged products and sell them under Milieukeur to the

consumer or end user and the business wants to communication about Milieukeur2.

Milieukeur certification is therefore not obligatory for businesses that: Only buy and sell pre-packaged certified products (SMK definition of pre-packaged is definitive

here). Buy non-pre-packaged Milieukeur-certified products and do not sell them as a certified product.

In the case of chain direction: written agreements between the chain director and the participant.

Purchase and sales administration of Milieukeur-certified products.

Unique registration number is checked on: Websites Advertising leaflets Packaging Advertisements Posters Etc.

Major

2 Communication related to the product: all expressions by businesses about Milieukeur in text and/or image, except for communications issued by previous links in the chain.


Canalisation Requirement Assessment guideline Level

Canalisation of a certified product is always obligatory. In the event that only Milieukeur-certified products are present at the business, canalisation is straightforward because mixing is not possible. This must be demonstrated by means of the purchasing and sales administration. Extra attention for canalisation is obligatory in the following situations: Upon application for a certificate, apart from the certified3 product there is also a non-certified product

present at the business. In this case the product flows of the relevant product must be and remain administratively and physically separate, unless it concerns a pre-packaged product with logo. Physical separation means that the certified product cannot be mixed with a non-certified product. This also applies to the transportation of both certified and non-certified products.

In the event that steps in the production process are carried out at another business. The following matters must always be demonstrable: If communication is with Milieukeur, the certificate holder (and any participants) must explicitly show

on the invoice for buyers the quantities of certified product (quantity or kg) supplied per line.

The certificate holder (and any participants) must maintain registrations of the quantity of certified product produced, purchased and supplied.

Purchase and selling of certified products must be additionally audited annually for a minimum of five spot checks.

Certification can only take place if products have in fact been supplied or processed. CBs must provide information at the request of SMK about supplied or purchased quantities of certified

product.

For certification of non-pre-packaged products for canalisation, all the General Requirements (except Environmental Statement/coordinator) must be met.

Registration of storage and sales (time and space). Purchase and sales administration for certified product.

Registration of own production. On the basis of this check if more Milieukeur products are being sold than are being produced and/or purchased (at product level).

Closing internal registration. Trace back sale of Milieukeur-certified product to

purchase/own production of Milieukeur-certified product.

Written agreements with third party. Registrations of processing and cutting into parts.

Critical Major

Specific for the certification scheme for Milieukeur Plant Products in outdoor cultivation, for tree nursery products the Milieukeur product must be recognisably bundled and labelled upon delivery, in accordance with the rules of the Raad van de Boomkwekerij (Tree Nursery Council) in the Netherlands.

Visual assessment as to whether the delivered Milieukeur products are bundled and labelled according to the regulations referred to above.

Major

3 If the potential certificate holder during an initial audit does not yet have any Milieukeur products on the premises, the method of canalisation can be audited on the basis of another, separately canalised and

administered flow of certified products. This can only be done if the Milieukeur product will be canalised and administered in the same way. Upon successful audit the CB can already issue a certificate and number.

Before a certificate holder starts using Milieukeur products the communications must be approved by the CB. Within a month of starting processing a Milieukeur product, the CB visits the certificate holder to check if the work is along the lines established by the initial audit.