TanCert is the sole body that provides services for inspection, certification and quality assurance for organic products in Tanzania. Through the member organisations, TanCert draw on experience in the field of organic agriculture for over one century; since 1898 when the first organic garden was established at Peramiho, south of Tanzania.
TanCert is operating according to organic short standards that focus local market and TanCert organic standards for export market. Both were developed through stakeholders consultation based on IFOAM Basic Standards to which most of the certification bodies around the world are accredited.
TanCert is working hard towards accreditation to IFOAM by the end of 2007 and to get internationally recognised.
TanCert certification programme aims at bringing clarity to stakeholders of organic sector through organic standards development and facilitating the marketing of organic products. Further, the programme provides third party verification of conformity to applicable organic standards.
TanCert strives to provide affordable certification services to facilitate the market competitiveness of organic products locally and worldwide.
In addition to providing inspection and certification services, TanCert member organisations provide local training activities to farmers, producers, processors, traders and exporters about certification and standardisation.
Achievements so far
- Establishment of TanCert itself.
- Establishment of organic standards for Tanzania .
- Inspection and certification services to organic projects funded by Export Promotion Of Organic Products from Africa EPOPA and self sponsored projects.
- Training of thirteen local inspectors, eight of them recognised by and working with international certificate bodies.
- In collaboration with Civil Society Organisations – CSOs, informed smallholders about organic certification.
- Establishment of functional inspection and certification system in Tanzania.
- Provides a trade mark for organic products from Tanzania.
- Participated and displayed in local and international trade fairs and organic exhibitions – BioFach.
- TanCert have member organisations that comprise all main stakeholders in Tanzania.
- TanCert inspectors are trained in Eurep Gap, Utz kapeh and ICS inspection.