B: And what precisely are you doing there?
P: Our workforce helps processors and retailers alongside your entire worth chain in order that they’ll adjust to Naturland tips. If they aren’t but licensed, we accompany them by the certification course of. Because of this we offer them with details about the requirements they have to meet. Now we have tips for processors, but in addition particular tips for particular person merchandise. They need to have the ability to adjust to these. We additionally examine recipes, as all elements have to be Naturland licensed. We do that in collaboration with different departments, such because the certification committee.
We additionally help companions of their seek for uncooked supplies: If a uncooked materials is now not obtainable, the processor wants an alternate, which should after all even be licensed. This can be a prolonged course of, however we accompany it till the product with the Naturland label is on the shelf. This will generally take fairly a very long time. You all the time should seek the advice of with numerous completely different folks, going forwards and backwards, however ultimately it’s profitable.
B: Do you additionally go to the producers?
P: As a result of distance concerned with unique merchandise reminiscent of espresso, we don’t do that fairly often. However I had the chance to go to agave producers and a espresso dealer in Mexico. Earlier than we certify new producers, our colleagues from Naturland e. V. or freelancers within the respective nations all the time make an preliminary go to. Because of this we first examine the certification purposes on paper: Which product they need to have licensed by Naturland and whether or not the corporate is already licensed natural. How lengthy they’ve been licensed natural, the place they export to, and so forth. Then there’s a preliminary analysis on website, adopted by an annual inspection. That is carried out by impartial exterior inspection our bodies. The inspection stories then inform us whether or not the farms meet all our tips.
B: Does it typically occur that they aren’t fulfilled?
P: That occurs infrequently. However the factor is, we all the time attempt to do a radical preliminary evaluation. In any other case, it could be far an excessive amount of of an funding when it comes to money and time for us if somebody went by the entire course of and wasn’t licensed ultimately. That’s why we request a whole lot of data proper from the beginning and perform a preliminary evaluation or pre-evaluation. On this foundation, we are able to assess whether or not it’s a great match or not. And on this preliminary analysis, we might also make solutions for enchancment, e.g., measures to enhance biodiversity and water administration. We then additionally advise on different crops that could be grown and on the best way to convert a farm to Naturland. Combining typical and natural farming on one farm will not be permitted at Naturland with a purpose to keep away from contamination. It’s because, not like typical farming, Naturland doesn’t use artificial chemical pesticides. And generally, if it’s a difficult processing process, we additionally check out it on website, if in any respect attainable.
B: What does commerce should do with it? Or merchants? Are they middlemen or wholesalers?
P: Each. The merchants import and promote uncooked supplies – inexperienced espresso – to the roasters. The roasters course of and promote the product, which leads to shopper packaging. Nevertheless, there are additionally middlemen within the exporting nations who export espresso from varied cooperatives, i.e., they acquire the product and export it in giant portions.
B: And also you be sure that what’s on the label is definitely within the product? In order that nothing is swapped out?
P: Precisely. We conduct an in depth provide chain evaluation for the varied processes that we have now licensed. This enables us to trace the product circulation, determine who transports Naturland-certified espresso from A to B, and decide the place it was processed. We confirm traceability based mostly on delivery paperwork and different documentation. We don’t solely conduct retrospective checks, we’re concerned within the course of. We regularly refer processors and merchants who’re already licensed by us. If unsure, we take samples and ship them to the laboratory. However that solely applies to particular person circumstances. As a rule, our high quality system is excellent and works effectively. If it says Naturland on the label, it’s Naturland inside.
