EcoMama - Sustainable Continual Improvement Certified (SCIC)
It is clear that the organics industry, having only a 3% share of food sales, is not equipped to deal with the rising demand for sustainably produced food. The aforementioned problems in the organic industry thus led us to the conclusion that a new form of sustainable and socially responsible certification was needed, to be promoted along with the brand being certified.
What is EcoMama SCIC?
- An umbrella group of certifying agencies and NGOs that is also a non-profit joint venture of EcoFaciliation
The Role of EcoMama SCIC
- To certify fairly traded, sustainably grown, low-eco impact produced goods, with a recognized certification
- To facilitate communication and implementation of the Sustainable Continual Improvement program, a sustainable conversion program, among the various certifying bodies, affiliated NGO's, the producers, and their workers
Benefits of EcoMama SCIC
- Certifying agencies jointly support the producers and their workers in the creation and ongoing development of Sustainable Continual Improvement
- Works to get producers on track to organic conversion, sustainable agriculture, and fair trade
- Operates on a no-fee structure made possible by the synergistic whole chain network (all links in supply chain are “true fair trading partners”)
- Practices cultural sensitivity in dealing with agrarian societies; does not impose Euro-centric values
How Does it All Work??
- Establishes alliances with certification agencies to create ongoing certified Sustainable Continual Improvement designed to move in the direction of organic agricultural and manufacturing practices over a realistic time period (this has already started with agencies like the Flower Label Program in Germany)
- Determines mutually agreed upon goals that would allow for immediate commercialization and promotion (addessng social problems, fair labour practices, and organic or high level sustainable agricultural practices)
- Ensures product packaging includes information about certification agencies, provides an internet link that will provide complete transparency and documentation of the verified Programs for Improvement, and indicates that the product has been certified to meet its environmental and fair trade labour terms
And, Perhaps Most Importantly…
EcoMama SCIC creates and publicizes identifiable marks that indicate the level of conversion that the producer is in. For example, “Conversion 1” indicates that the producer has been in a program and has not applied any non-organic chemicals or high-toxicity chemicals for one year. Production premiums increase with each year/step achieved.
The Result…
What we have is a more comprehensive certification standard that avoids many of the inescapable difficulties of the 100% ‘all or nothing’ organic standard. All companies involved in the network must be certified by EcoMama SCIC.
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