Control Union (CU) India has said it faces “temporary suspension” till 7th June to develop a corrective action after IOAS (International Organic Accreditation Service) disallowed it from testing and sampling Indian organic textile products on charges of irregularities committed in its certification process.
CU India is an arm of one of the largest certifiers of organic cotton, Control Union Nederland BV, which is based in Rotterdam.
In a communication to its clients, Kris Van Den Keybus, MD, CU India, said the certification body was trying to clear its name by providing all the documents required to IOAS within a week.
It expects its documents to be reviewed on a priority “keeping the urgency of the matter and giving natural justice with law of parity”.
The IOAS appeals committee rejected CU India appeal on March 3 and suspended its certification process with conditions.
Also Read: ‘IOAS’ suspension of CU India demonstrates the rigour of GOTS system of checks and balances’
The global organic certification body has permitted CU India to continue inspections according to its annual inspection plan so that certified operators can maintain their existing certifications.
As per IOAS, CU India had failed to evaluate all requirements and information for certification decisions applicable to Scope Certificates, which certify that organic food products conform to stipulated standards, and Transaction Certificates, which verify that a product sold or shipped conforms to stipulated standards.
It said CU India failed to manage non-conformities and ensure they did not recur.
