Participatory evaluation and certification systems

Participatory evaluation and certification systems aim at directly involving the people who produce and/or consume food products into their assessment and certification processes, rather than using third party certification.

The classical objective of organic certification is, on the one hand, increased transparency and assurance on the consumer side regarding sustainable nutrition as well as responsible production and, on the other hand, improved market access for producers. The cost-intensive conversion, approval and inspections often represent a hurdle for small-scale farmers.^[1] The investment for an organic label is often only worthwhile at a certain production volume.

Participatory evaluation systems aim to achieve a high degree of transparency through active participation by producers, consumers and other direct interest groups, and thus represent an alternative and supplement to certification by third parties. They are targeting local markets, short transport routes and value chains. Small-scale producers get together to jointly define and develop indicators of sustainability. On the basis of these criteria, they carry out agricultural activities, and according to the criteria evaluate and, if necessary, improve their own work instead of having to meet the criteria set by the various external organic certifiers.^[2] A further new approach is that the quality control is also not carried out by third parties. Instead, producers check and support each other^[3]. This on-site visit by one or more people from the peer group or by a consumer has the advantage that a direct practical exchange of knowledge about problems and solutions is maintained and a social network based on trust can be established.^[4] Together they take decisions concerning certification and ensure the development and implementation of the overall certification procedure.

In addition, new initiatives, not only on the producer side but also on the consumer side, organize to jointly formulate criteria for sustainable products and marketing, which meet their own demands for sustainable action.^[5] Thereafter as a result of this joint coordination, these are produced by affiliated farms at fair producer prices.^[6]

Participatory evaluation systems depend on a lot of idealism, individual initiative and commitment of all participants. Moreover, participatory evaluation systems are susceptible to abuse. People who are only concerned about their own financial advantage could take profit from the trust in their labels and certificates and this way in the long run damage the reputation of certificates based on participatory evaluation systems. On the other hand, consumers, who do not participate, need a high degree of information (or trust) in order to develop an awareness of the sustainability criteria behind the respective certificates.