ACOS was launched in late March by Biological Farmers of Australia Ltd (BFA). The long-anticipated standard brings clarity and updated requirements to new and emerging organic sectors including cosmetics, forestry, ethical trade-organic, pet food, fibres and aquaculture production, providing consumers with confidence in the organic integrity of these and traditional organic sectors.
Dr Andrew Monk, standards convenor and director of the BFA said; “The launch of ACOS 2010 (the updated version to the Australian organic Standard 2006) is significant as it it’s the most used and referred to standard in Australia, and the standard to which most organic product in Australia is certified to. Products that are certified as compliant are identified first and foremost by the widely recognised and respected Australian Certified Organic ‘Bud’ logo. Now entering its third decade, the Bud logo recently obtaining Certification Trade Mark status and winning the Choice Award for Best Food Endorsement Program 2010. Consumers can look for the ‘Bud’ mark or clear reference to certification to ensure they are getting what they are paying for and are protected via existing laws.”
The BFA will launch a consumer version …“The booklet will enable shoppers to make quick purchase decisions by allowing them to understand, the production differences between organic and non-organic, for example, the advantages of buying organic versus non-organic honey, meat or eggs,” Dr Monk said.
The new summary standard is available free of charge from April 2011 from the BFA website alongside the full version of the Standard. (See www.bfa.com.au).