Participatory Guarantee Systems PGS
Encyclopedia
“Participatory Guarantee Systems are locally focused quality assurance systems. They certify producers based on active participation of stakeholders and are built on a foundation of trust, social networks and knowledge exchange” (IFOAM definition, 2008).
Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) represent an alternative to third party certification
, especially adapted to local markets and short supply chains. They can also complement third party certification with a private label that brings additional guarantees and transparency. PGS enable the direct participation of producers, consumers and other stakeholders in:
Participatory Guarantee Systems are also referred to as “participatory certification”.
has been a pioneer in the implementation and definition of Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS). Organic certification started in various parts of the world in the 70s and 80s based on associative systems that were very close to what is now called PGS. Some of these associations are still doing participatory certification today, such as for example Nature & Progrès in France. Even though third party certification (following ISO 65 requirements) has become the dominant form of certification in the food sector, as well as many other sectors, alternative certification systems have never ceased to exist.
In 2004, IFOAM, the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements, and MAELA, the Latin American Agroecology Movement, jointly organized the first International Workshop on Alternative Certification that took place in Torres, Brazil. It is at that workshop that the concept of “Participatory Guarantee Systems” was adopted. At this event, an international working group on PGS was established, which later became an official Task Force under the umbrella of IFOAM. The Task Force worked on further defining PGS, and established the key elements and key features of PGS in a document entitled “Shared Visions – Shared Ideals”.
Since then, IFOAM has continuously supported the development of PGS in the organic sector. In parallel, other sectors have been looking into the concept to certify various products or processes. Still, IFOAM and the organic movement remain a leader in the concept of PGS at the international level, and are now advocating for their recognition by governments as valid local certification systems in cases where the organic sector is legally regulated.
Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) represent an alternative to third party certification
Certification
Certification refers to the confirmation of certain characteristics of an object, person, or organization. This confirmation is often, but not always, provided by some form of external review, education, assessment, or audit...
, especially adapted to local markets and short supply chains. They can also complement third party certification with a private label that brings additional guarantees and transparency. PGS enable the direct participation of producers, consumers and other stakeholders in:
- the choice and definition of the standards
- the development and implementation of certificationCertificationCertification refers to the confirmation of certain characteristics of an object, person, or organization. This confirmation is often, but not always, provided by some form of external review, education, assessment, or audit...
procedures - the certification decisions
Participatory Guarantee Systems are also referred to as “participatory certification”.
History
The organic movementOrganic movement
The organic movement broadly refers to the organizations and individuals involved worldwide in the promotion of organic farming, which is a more sustainable mode of agriculture...
has been a pioneer in the implementation and definition of Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS). Organic certification started in various parts of the world in the 70s and 80s based on associative systems that were very close to what is now called PGS. Some of these associations are still doing participatory certification today, such as for example Nature & Progrès in France. Even though third party certification (following ISO 65 requirements) has become the dominant form of certification in the food sector, as well as many other sectors, alternative certification systems have never ceased to exist.
In 2004, IFOAM, the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements, and MAELA, the Latin American Agroecology Movement, jointly organized the first International Workshop on Alternative Certification that took place in Torres, Brazil. It is at that workshop that the concept of “Participatory Guarantee Systems” was adopted. At this event, an international working group on PGS was established, which later became an official Task Force under the umbrella of IFOAM. The Task Force worked on further defining PGS, and established the key elements and key features of PGS in a document entitled “Shared Visions – Shared Ideals”.
Since then, IFOAM has continuously supported the development of PGS in the organic sector. In parallel, other sectors have been looking into the concept to certify various products or processes. Still, IFOAM and the organic movement remain a leader in the concept of PGS at the international level, and are now advocating for their recognition by governments as valid local certification systems in cases where the organic sector is legally regulated.
External links
- http://www.ifoam.org IFOAM Website
- http://www.natureetprogres.org Nature & Progrès Website (in French)
- http://www.ecovida.org.br/ Rede Ecovida de Agroecologia Website (in Portuguese)
- http://www.naturallygrown.org/ Certified Naturally Grown Website (CNG is a Grassroots Alternative to the USDA's National Organic Program)
- http://www.pgsorganic.in/ The PGS Organic India Council Website (The national PGS Indian network is coordinated by the PGS Organic India Council)
- http://www.organicfarm.org.nz/ OrganicFarmNZ Website (OrganicFarmNZ provides organic education and runs an organic certification scheme in New Zealand)