The DTI-Philippine Accreditation Bureau (DTI-PAB) held a seminar on the Philippine National Standards for Organic Agriculture on April 3–4, 2023 at the PAB Conference Room, HPGV Building, 395 Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati City.

The two-day activity was designed to familiarize the participants with the local organic agriculture scenario, the rationale behind the minimum requirements, and the salient points of organic agriculture management practices, among other things.

The resource person was Mr. Vicente D. Limsan Jr. from the Department of Agriculture’s Bureau of Agricultural and Fisheries Standards (DA-BAFS). Participants in the PAB are personnel of the Management System Accreditation Division (MSAD) led by Ms. Ma. Juanita P. Carpio.

The seminar is part of the DTI-PAB and DA-BAFS’ commitment and understanding to continuously develop and maintain accreditation personnel competence in order to ensure effective implementation and delivery of accreditation services.

DA-BAFS, as the owner of the Organic Agriculture Certification Scheme in the Philippines, maintains the regulations and the Philippine National Standards (PNS) pertaining to organic agriculture. The amended Organic Agriculture Act of 2010 (Republic Act No. 11511) also requires the Bureau to develop and update these relevant PNS. Furthermore, DA-BAFS is the recognized competent authority for the accreditation of Organic Certification Bodies (OCBs).

DTI-PAB, on the other hand, is mandated to accredit inspection, testing, and certifying bodies, as well as other bodies providing conformity assessment services in the country.

DTI-PAB and DA-BAFS have been working together for several years to implement the accreditation process for Organic Certification Bodies (OCBs).

For more information on PAB accreditation services, please visit our website at www.dti.gov.ph/pab or send an email to pab@dti.gov.ph.