IOAS

10/17/2026

IOAS to Host a Celebration of Life for Michael Sligh

IOAS will host a remote Celebration of Life in honour of Michael Sligh, former IOAS President and a long-time contributor to the mission and vision of IOAS.

📅 November 6, 2026
11:00 a.m. Eastern U.S. Time
Remote event

We invite you to join us in remembering Michael and honoring his lasting contribution to IOAS and the organic community.

If you would like to attend and have not yet received an invitation, please contact IOAS Quality Director Teresa Barnett at [email protected].

10/14/2026

From Fibre to Final Product: Textile Assessment Expertise Across Asia

Textile supply chains are global, complex and fragmented. Assessing whether sustainability and certification systems are working as they should requires more than reviewing data and documentation. It requires assessors on the ground who understand both how to assess a certification system and how the textile processes they are assessing actually work.

IOAS undertakes certification body assessments for textile schemes across Asia, including India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, China, Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia, Indonesia and more. Our assessors bring conformity assessment expertise alongside practical technical knowledge spanning the textile supply chain.

Most recently, our work in China has included assessments for Textile Exchange and BCI, covering spinning, wet processing and enzymatic and biological recycling. With 800+ assessments and a background in textile engineering, IOAS assessor Md. Amran Hossain (pictured) reflects of the depth of experience and technical expertise we are proud to have across our assessor team.

Our textiles assessments in Asia are one example of how IOAS brings specialist knowledge and experienced assessors to complex sustainability certification systems around the world.

Visit www.ioas.org or contact [email protected] to find out more.

10/09/2026

Reflecting on 2025: Building on expertise, expanding our reach

As the organic and sustainability sectors continue to evolve, so too do the needs for credible, independent assurance. In 2025, IOAS responded by broadening the range of schemes and standards we support, alongside building on our technical expertise and global connections.

Some highlights from the year:

🌍 Worked with 71 certification bodies in more than 100 countries
📋 Supported 134 accredited schemes
🔎 Delivered 469 assessment days across 41 countries
🌱 Expanded our work into regenerative agriculture
🤝 Continued strengthening collaboration across the international organic and sustainability community

Independent assurance plays an important role in ensuring that certification systems work as intended — not only in their requirements and procedures, but in how they are implemented on the ground. Through independent assessment of certification bodies, IOAS helps provide confidence that requirements are applied consistently and that certification outcomes can be trusted.

The 2025 Annual Report reflects on this work, as well as the developments, people and priorities that shaped the year for IOAS.

Read the IOAS Annual Report 2025:
https://ioas.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/IOAS_Annual-report-2025.pdf

Visit www.ioas.org or contact [email protected] to find out more.

10/08/2026

IOAS begins BCI Assessments in China to Strengthen Responsible Sourcing

IOAS was pleased to announce its partnership with the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) in February 2026, following the strengthening of the scheme’s certification and assurance model.

This reflects increasing expectations for sustainability schemes to demonstrate greater independence and consistency in assurance, making credible accreditation of Certification Bodies increasingly important.

IOAS is supporting BCI’s evolution by assessing and accrediting Certification Bodies operating within the BCI system. Our first BCI assessment in China took place in Fuzhou City, Fujian Province, including assessment activity at a cotton spinning facility.

Independent third-party accreditation provides oversight of the certification system, helping to ensure that standards are being adhered to and the assurance system is working as intended, ultimately strengthening trust in the label.

Lauren Carlyle, Executive Director of IOAS, said: “IOAS is pleased to be bringing its assessment expertise to BCI assessments in China, applying our rigorous assessment approach to support credible assurance and confidence in BCI certification.”

We look forward to continuing to support credible certification across the Better Cotton supply chain in China and globally.

Visit www.ioas.org or contact [email protected] to find out more.

09/29/2026

Our IOAS assessor based in Brazil - Jennyfer Karell - recently attended the ISEAL Brazil Dialogue in São Paulo - “Pathways to Impact: The Evolving Role of Market-Based Sustainability Systems in Brazil.”

Brazil is not only a globally important producer of commodities, but also a country rich in innovation, initiative and experimentation with sustainable solutions. The event provided an excellent opportunity to hear from different stakeholders, share experiences and reflect on what has worked well, as well as the challenges that remain in creating, maintaining and scaling meaningful change.

What’s Next for Sustainability Systems in Brazil?

As the role and expectations of private sustainability systems and certification continue to evolve in response to new and changing factors, it was clear that Brazil’s dynamic environment — characterised by creativity, strong social movements and a willingness to innovate — offers significant opportunities.

We thank ISEAL for bringing stakeholders together for an open and constructive discussion. For IOAS, it was a valuable opportunity to share our experience and expertise, learn from others, and explore how collaboration and knowledge exchange can contribute to stronger sustainability systems and greater impact.

Together, we can strengthen sustainability systems and help turn their potential into greater, lasting impact.

Visit www.ioas.org or contact [email protected] to find out more about IOAS.

09/15/2026

ISO/IEC 17065 accreditation application accepted for CECAGRID Sarl dba CECACERT (Cecagrid Certification)

09/14/2026

CFIA lift the suspension of COR accreditation for Certificadora BIOTROPICO S.A.S.

Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) lifts the suspension of COR accreditation for Certificadora BIOTROPICO S.A.S. as of September 11th, 2026. Please see Certificadora BIOTROPICO S.A.S.’ accreditation page on the IOAS website for details of their accreditation in full. https://ioas.org/accredite...

09/14/2026

Global Certification Society successfully achieves ISO/IEC 17065 accreditation for (EU) 2018/848 from IOAS

Global Certification Society successfully achieves ISO/IEC 17065 accreditation from IOAS for Regulation (EU) 2018/848 on organic production and labelling of organic products and relevant delegating and implementing acts. Further details on the accreditation of Global Certification Society are availa...

09/14/2026

Global Certification Society successfully achieves ISO/IEC 17065 accreditation for (EU) 2018/848 from IOAS

Global Certification Society successfully achieves ISO/IEC 17065 accreditation from IOAS for Regulation (EU) 2018/848 on organic production and labelling of organic products and relevant delegating and implementing acts. Further details on the accreditation of Global Certification Society are availa...

09/10/2026

Certificadora BIOTROPICO S.A.S.’ suspension for ISO/IEC 17065 accreditation lifted

On September 8th, 2026, the IOAS Accreditation Committee decided to lift the suspension of Certificadora BIOTROPICO S.A.S.’ ISO/IEC 17065 accreditation. Please see the Certificadora BIOTROPICO S.A.S. accreditation page on the IOAS website for details of their accreditation in full.