Since the 1980s, a number of countries have added an organic certification requirement to their labelling laws. So, producers are required to meet standards and be certified organic before they can legally market and label their product as such. Overseen by private certification bodies, these government-backed labels provide a means to preserve the integrity of the organic label on grocery store shelves.
Organic production does not have one exact definition internationally, with individual governments outlining minimum requirements for their country. Efforts to harmonize these standards are underway, to help foster trade and reduce costs associated with the need for multiple certifications. Everything from soil health, to crop and pest management, to allowed and disallowed agricultural inputs is covered in the requirements of organic certification.
Some point out that organic certification may do more harm than good, by creating extra costs and paperwork that can act as barriers to entry for small producers. However, one has to wonder whether this point holds when, without certification, there may be a diminished consumer interest in the organic sector and less business for small producers anyways. Consumers want to know what they can trust – and if consumers perceive labels as being meaningless or untrustworthy, they go elsewhere. It certainly isn’t the only way to market and sell organic, but if the organic label becomes merely a marketing tool, without solid standards and certification, “organic” just becomes part of the noise.