JAS
From April 2001, the Japanese Agricultural Standards
(JAS) issued by the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture,
Fisheries and Forestry (MAFF) came into effect.
The standards set out mandatory organic labelling
requirements, organic production standards and third-party
certification procedures for acceptance of organic
product (crop and crop products) into Japan. An
addendum for livestock and livestock products came
into effect in 2006.
The JAS program is based on the ongoing evaluation of internal structures and the management competence of respective certified operators. Operators under license will need to verify that procedures are in place to meet specific Standards requirements.
Within Australia
The MAFF has recognised the Australian
National Standard, administered under AQIS, as currently
equivalent to JAS for crop and crop products with
the exception of five products. These products -
deemed as prohibited under JAS - are Wetting
Agents, White Oil, Disodium diphosphate, Ammonium
phosphate and Ammonium sulphate.
This current equivalence for crop and crop product
means that within Australia only operators intending
to directly apply the JAS label -
primarily product sold directly to the Japanese
market - and those producing livestock/livestock
products must be JAS certified. Raw and/or processed
crop product that is exported bulk does not itself
need to be JAS certified if imported by a JAS certified
operator in Japan.
Exporters to Japan who are not intending to apply
the JAS label must obtain an Export Declaration
from a certifier such as NASAA to verify that the
specified product has been produced in accordance
with the National Standard. This declaration must
accompany the goods along with an additional statutory
declaration to verify that the prohibited products
have not been used during any stage in the production
and/or processing of product.
Outside Australia
Operations outside Australia intending
to export organic product to Japan - raw, bulk
and processed - have not been granted JAS equivalence
through the Australian Quarantine Inspection Service
(AQIS) and as such are required to ensure that the
entire supply chain is certified under JAS if applying
through NASAA.
JAS Standards
The JAS Standards (collectively encompassing JAS Standards, Law and Technical Criteria) are your guide to achieving recognised status, and include:
It is essential that you read through the relevant Standards applicable to your operation before submitting an application for certification.
Application & Review
The JAS program places particular emphasis
on the establishment of a clear audit trail and
documented operational procedures as forming part
of a defined Quality System. Making an application
for JAS certification requires the completion of
various documents, including an application form
and questionnaire outlining your organic management/handling
plan. Upon receipt and acceptance of your application,
an inspection will be conducted to assess your operation
against the criteria set out in the JAS Standard,
and a decision made in relation to certification.
NASAA will assist facilitate new applicants for
JAS certification through its partner certifier.
JAS Fees & Charges
NASAA's fees for JAS certification are
competitive, with a pricing structure which serves
to underpin the provision of the certification
service, facilitating access throughout the world
for NASAA certified product.
Our fee structure comprises an initial application
fee and inspection deposit, and annual charges
and levy payment system where applicable. Existing
JAS certified operators should refer to our Fee
Schedule for further detail relating to ongoing
certification costs. New applicants will be advised
of application fees on enquiry.
Further Information
For those applicants conversant with the general
requirements of certification, the following JAS
Certification Tech Note outlines the core
differences between, and specific requirements
under, the JAS program.
For further information about JAS certification
please Contact the Office.
Export Requirements
US.
Make an Application.
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