Managing certification for agricultural exports

Published by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

This manual is meant for the organization of training sessions on certification for agricultural exports.

The goal of this training material is to raise the awareness and build capacities on the management of certification schemes for agricultural exports from the Asian region. This training material is targeted to extension officers from government departments in charge of developing the quality and safety, or promoting export of agricultural and food products. The material can also be used by trainers in educational institutions like universities or vocational training centres, and by non-governmental or private organizations that assist producers, processors and traders in understanding and complying with the requirements of export markets. 
http://www.fao.org/economic/est/publications/publications-on-standards/manuals/manual-for-trainers/en/

Information manuals on regulations and certification for agricultural exports

Published by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

These manuals explain the objectives, scope, advantages and constraints of a selection of voluntary private certification programmes (e.g. organic agriculture, "fair trade", GlobalGAP). They are designed for farmers and exporters. These manuals also give a brief overview of the main categories of import regulations that exporters of agricultural products have to meet when they export to major markets (United States, European Union, Japan). Links to the web sites of organizations providing more details are given.

There are manuals for exporters and producers of different regions:

- Central America (only in Spanish) 
- South America (only in Spanish) 
- East Africa (only in English) 
- West Africa (in English and French) 
- Asia (in English, and other Asian languages)

http://www.fao.org/economic/est/publications/publications-on-standards/manuals/en/

The Organic Business Guide - Developing sustainable value chains with smallholders

Published by the Organic and Fairtrade Competence Centre (OFTCC)

This guide is written for those who are actively engaged in setting up or managing organic businesses with groups of smallholders. It provides practical know-how and essential information for planning, managing and expanding such a business. Covering topics from designing production and internal control systems to business planning and marketing, it attempts to be a comprehensive reference book for organic entrepreneurs, cooperatives and facilitators.

The guide was developed in a participatory process involving people who are active and experienced in managing or supporting organic businesses in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. It draws on a wide range of practical examples and provides links to useful resources available on the internet.

http://www.organicandfair.org/oftcc/Publications/Tools-and-Guides/Organic-Business-Guide-publications.php

Guide for Decision Makers for farmer organizations and exporters wishing to export organic and fair-trade certified products and for business support organizations

Published by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

The guide is conceived as a practical, easy-to-use document. It is divided into seven separate modules which address the process of getting ready to export from different angles, including: before you start; producer group or company management; business planning; financial management; training; certification; and market research and marketing. Although they may of course be read consecutively, these various chapters are rather meant to be used fragmentarily, depending upon the user’s needs of the moment.

http://www.fao.org/organicag/organicexports/export-guide/en/

Making Private Standards Work for You: A guide to private standards in the garments, footwear and furniture sectors

Published by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)

This guide aims to provide producers in the footwear, garments and furniture sectors with some insights into the landscape of private standards and with guidance for turning private  standards to their advantage. The information presented here is based on questionnaires and interviews with a sample of exporting companies from the footwear sector in India, the textiles and garments sector in Turkey, and the furniture sector in Brazil.

http://www.unido.org/index.php?id=1001204

The Certification Guide for West African producers

Published by the West African Trade Hub

Certification for Exporters Understanding the Advantages and Disadvantages of Certification

Increasingly, consumers are only willing to buy- even at higher prices - products produced in environmentally and socially responsible ways. There are numerous certifications that create consumer confidence by verifying that a product was produced  in a way that was environmentally friendly and socially responsible. It is the wave of the future for international products from cosmetics to handcrafts to food. The USAID West Africa Trade Hub invites you to learn more and get on board.

http://www.watradehub.com/competitive-environment/business/certification-guide-released