AfOR Member Affinity Schemes
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AfOR invites certification bodies to tender for the provision of Compost Certification Services on its behalf
Today AfOR has invited a number of certification bodies (including the existing ones Organic Farmers & Growers and NSF-CMI) to bid for the provision of certification services under AfOR Compost Certification Scheme.
AfOR aims to provide certification scheme services that are robust, efficient, cost effective, and provide society and stakeholders with the reassurance that certified compost is safe and fit for purpose.
The selected certification bodies will provide certification services on behalf of AfOR, in compliance with AfOR Certification Scheme Rules (http://organics-recycling.org.uk/Scheme_rules). Services will commence on 1 July 2012.
AfOR emphasizes that one of the key criteria that the tenderers will be evaluated against is the affordability of the certification body’s services for small composting operators.
Currently certification for small scale composting sites under AfOR Compost Certification Scheme is not a cost-effective option. A WRAP funded survey of the on-farm composting sector in GB showed that for compost producers processing less than 6,000 tonnes of input wastes per annum, applying compost to land under the ‘waste route’ is more cost effective than obtaining certification to PAS 100 and the Compost Quality Protocol and applying the resulting compost as a ‘product’.
This means that, although many small on-farm composters could probably achieve the quality of compost required, the current costs of proving this and gaining certification are, at worst, prohibitive and at best, considerably higher than the costs associated with using the compost as ‘waste’.
As highlighted in the tender invitation document, AfOR considers it crucial that the Certification Scheme is made more affordable to the small scale composting sector. At the same time, certification services should continue to be financially viable for medium and large scale operators.
Other important criteria the tenderers will be evaluated against are:
• Quality and robustness of the method statement submission and ability to add value ;
• Consistency of proposal with services or requirements and deliverables;
• Technical and operational track record in projects of a similar nature;
• Authority of allocated personnel, their skills and technical capability; and
• Corporate commitment to health and safety.
Last update: 27/04/2012
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