The Ministry of Development announced the suspension of accreditation for certification body TERRA CERT in the organic products sector, for a period of six months, with provision for a new assessment thereafter, according to a decision by the National Accreditation Council.
The issue was examined during the 521st session of ESYD on August 11, 2025, following a hearing with representatives of “TERRA CERT AE” regarding non-compliance findings with Accreditation Regulations, which emerged from an emergency inspection on July 28 and 29, 2025. The session was initially scheduled for August 7, but was postponed to August 11, following a request from the body. On that day, the company requested another postponement, submitting additional evidence, which was examined before the decision was made in a session on August 12.
Taking into account the report of the lead assessor, the recommendation of the Accreditation Directorate, and the documents submitted by TERRA CERT, the Council members unanimously decided on a six-month suspension of certificate 1332-1 (B3/3) and re-examination of the case after the expiration of the period, to determine whether the non-compliances have been resolved.
The decision, coded S/10365/25, was based on the need to safeguard the credibility of the accreditation process, judging that the body violated specific paragraphs of the Regulations and related ESYD criteria. On the same day, August 12, 2025, the decision was unanimously ratified by ESYD’s Administrative Council (DS/4625/25), during its 228th session, with immediate effect from that date.
It is clarified that certifications issued to date by TERRA CERT remain valid.
