What happens in an Organic Audit in Australia?

GF Oats Australia have been partnered with the ACO since 2018 when we first introduced Organic oats to our lines for customers. We are registered with ACO and pay for the use of their buds each year. (The bud is what you call the logo on the packaging)  - ADD ACO image. Our audit happens to coincide with Organic Awareness Month each year in September.

Our spectacular Organic Oats is grown by Rob and Ann in the fertile region of Wandering in Western Australia. They are enormously proud to be supplying us their oats, certified organic by Southern Cross, another certification body. #gorgiousfarmers

When we undergo an organic audit with the Australian Organic Organisation, the process is designed to ensure that our transport, storage and handling practices comply with the standards for organic certification. Here’s a general overview of what happens during an audit:

1. Pre-Audit Preparation:

• Documentation Review: Before the audit, we need to gather and review all relevant documentation. This includes records of our supply flow from the farm, transport from Western Australia, freezers based here in Toowoomba where the oats is frozen for 72hrs to ensure there is no bug contamination. They review our facilities, our packing room, packaging compliance and tracing the oats from farm to plate. They review our management plan, and any other procedures that relate to organic standards.
• Self-Assessment: It’s often helpful to conduct a self-assessment to ensure that your practices align with the Australian Certified Organic (ACO) Standard. This can help you identify and address any potential issues before the formal audit. During the year we keep records up to date to ensure we are compliant, and it makes an audit run very smoothly.

2. On-Site Inspection:

• Inspector Visit: An accredited organic inspector visits our facility. This visit is comprehensive and involves a thorough examination of your manufacturing practices, facilities, and records.
• Facility Tour: The inspector will tour our warehouse and storage areas, processing facilities, freezers and any other relevant locations.
• Record Verification: The inspector will review your records in detail to verify that your practices comply with organic standards. This includes checking purchase receipts from the farmers, from distributors and customers sales and records.

Audit Report: After the inspection, the auditor compiles a report detailing their findings. This report will highlight any non-compliance issues or areas that need improvement, as well as confirm the practices that meet the standards.

• Corrective Actions: If any non-compliances are identified, you’ll be required to implement corrective actions. This could involve changing certain practices, improving documentation, or making adjustments to align with the standards.

4. Certification Decision:

• Review by Certification Committee: The audit report is reviewed by a certification committee within the Australian Organic Organisation. They assess whether all data meets the requirements for organic certification.
• Certification Outcome: If you meet all the standards, you’ll receive a new organic certification for the following 12 months that gets distributed to all our co-packers and buyers. If corrective actions are needed, you may need a follow-up audit or provide additional documentation to achieve certification.

5. Ongoing Compliance:

• Annual Audits: Organic certification isn’t a one-time event. We undergo annual audits to maintain your certification, ensuring continued compliance with organic standards.
• Continuous Improvement: Organic farming is an ongoing process. We’re encouraged to continuously improve our practices, stay updated with any changes in standards, and maintain detailed records to facilitate future audits.

This thorough audit process helps maintain the integrity of organic products in Australia, ensuring that consumers can trust the organic label on our products.

Try our Certified Organic Oats today!