The Pacific Organic Standard is the third regional organic standard produced worldwide, after the EU regulation 2092/91 and the East African Organic Products Standard. The provisions of the Standard take into account both local agricultural traditions and the two global organic standards, IFOAM IBS and Codex Alimentarius. Thus, Pacific stakeholders have true ownership of their regional standard, while at the same time, it is consistent with existing international standards. This consistency will facilitate future negotiations.

This consistency will facilitate future negotiations in the context of export market development.

The Pacific Organic Standard covers organic production and processing and is appropriate for the unique social, cultural, environmental and agricultural conditions of Pacific Island countries and territories. The Standard does not cover conformity assessment procedures, and hence leaves the door open for local stakeholders to develop their own, locally appropriate organic guarantee systems for serving local, national and regional markets.

The development of this Standard has included an intensive regional consultation process. Feedback from these consultations, and technical comparisons with international organic standards, informed the work of the Regional Organic Task Force – a highly successful public-private sector partnership comprising representatives of national organic movements, government bodies, organic businesses and regional NGOs.

The Pacific Organic Standard is expected to serve as a basis for raising the profile of organic agriculture among farmers and consumers, strengthening organic production capacity in the region, and promoting further development of local, regional and international markets for Pacific organic agriculture products.

Pacific Organic Standard document

Pacific Organic Standard Guidelines