INTERNATIONAL QUALITY ASSURANCE

Naturland gets to know its members from the outset. When a new member joins, we make it our business to get to know them inside out and send one of our employees to visit them on farm. They also receive regular visits from Naturland on an ongoing basis.

Naturland’s strong global network of representatives enables it to continually ensure the high quality standards it has set and offer support on topics such as farming practice, quality assurance, internal control systems, certification and marketing through its local contacts. What's more, member farms have the opportunity to network and share knowledge with one another at regional meetings. Farmers keen to learn more also have free access to a portfolio of farming advice for 20 different crops from pineapple to sugar cane, as well as additional technical information.

At Naturland, organic and social standards always go hand in hand.  Naturland's social provisions and working conditions for those producing and processing food have been mandatory for Naturland members around the world since 2005. Depending on the region, we focus on upholding human rights, eradicating exploitative child labour, and introducing/maintaining health and safety standards and social protection measures.

A large proportion of Naturland's international membership is made up of smallholder cooperatives and producer associations. For them, organic certification is a particular challenge. That is why Naturland collaborated with the Institute for Marketecology (IMO) 20 years ago to develop a manual for internal control systems. Internal control systems enable smallholders to become certified collectively, which among other advantages reduces their annual inspection costs. It also safeguards the integrity of the group and creates transparency through certification.

The manual is available to all Naturland members free of charge.

Naturland consumers value the high quality of its produce around the world. Naturland certification provides international producers – especially smallholders – with access to a growing market and strong network that unites producers, processors, manufacturers and retailers.

As a global agricultural association, Naturland also represents its members on a political level.

Naturland represents the interests of smallholders on national and international committees, including recently during negotiations on the revised EU directive on organic production. In collaboration with IFOAM Organics International, INOFO and numerous other development and fair trade organisations, Naturland has made it its mission to improve the living conditions of smallholders around the world.

Its international activities also focus on the global challenges faced by organic apiaries. In 2019, Naturland organised the 5th International Organic Beekeeping Conference in conjunction with the University of Hohenheim and the IFOAM Apiculture Forum.