Integrated Management Systems in the Agricultural Production

The Integrated Management Systems in the Agricultural Production against AGRO 2 present an extension of the ISO 14000 standard enhasing elements of the ISO 9000.

In order to satisfy the customers demands and moreover the harmonization with the national and international demands, the agricultural sector has to be based on aspects that will assure quality and safety of its products and respect the environment in the way it is operating. Under this philosophy a need emerged for the design and implementation of Integrated Crop Management Systems (ICM). An independent certification body certifies ICM systems in order to bring “an external good evidence” for the way they are managed and functioned.

ICM inspection prototypes are based on a combination of the ISO 14000 (Environmental Management Systems) and ISO 9000 (Quality Management Systems). The basic steps for the establishment of the system are:

• Policy definition of the agricultural production and more specifically the coverage of the legal matters concerning the environment and the produced agricultural products, the prevention of pollution and the continual management improvement in respect with the environment, the safety and the quality of the agricultural products
• Planning of environmental issues, their legal demands, aims and objectives of the operation, and plan of improvement
• Performance in respect to the organizing, the training, the communication, the documentation, the documents handling, the basic functions of the operation, the risk management, and the trace ability of the produced product
• Internal Audit, Corrective and Precautionary Actions
• Management review and investigation for the correctness and effectiveness of the system

Moreover there are legal and technical matters that aim in the production of safe quality products and the best environmental management. The ICM demands cover all the activities in the agricultural operation, such as:

• Variety selection
• General agricultural practices
• Soil management
• Nutrition of plants
• Irrigation
• Plant protection
• Harvest and storage
• Energy efficiency and machinery management
• Pollution control and waste management
• Environment and biodiversity
• Health & safety and worker training

With respect to the above the establishment of an ICM system accomplishes the full control of the agricultural operation. The processes in the agricultural operation are based on pre-designed demands and consequently minimize the unpredictable (basic element of malfunction).

ICM systems are implemented in agricultural operations of every capability, from Producers Management Organizations (PMO) to private growers contracts. The basis of the system is the promotion of knowledge, experience and Good Agricultural Practices in the further acceptance of the agricultural products in the national and international market. Moreover, the system can work as an aid-giver in the difficulties farmers face in the establishment of sustainable agriculture.

TUV HELLAS (RWTUV) s.a. in order to meet the continual promise for quality and safety, is actively working in the food sector with a team of experienced and fully capable personnel with knowledge in the practices implemented internationally and nationally and with coverage in the whole span of the food business sector. Our aim is to meet the high expectation of the market and under that goal our organization expands continually into new sectors keeping pace with the international improvements in the food sector.

The certification procedure includes the valuation of completeness and correctness of the Integrated Crop Management Manual, the on-site inspection for the audit of implementation of the System. With the successful competition of the audit a three-year internationally accepted certificate is issued. After the certification valuation annual surveillance audits are worked out in order to ensure the continuity and the improvement of the system.