Get certified!
We are delighted about your interest in a certification in accordance with our Guidelines! By participating in our certification programmes you are making a valuable contribution to the promotion of GMO-free soybean cultivation in the Danube region as well as in Europe. In addition, you are showcasing your ambitions for a sustainable protein supply to the public and specifically, the whole soya value chain.
Have a look at our brochure “Steps of Certification” to gain a quick overview of the points to consider for a successful certification:
Donau Soja & Europe Soya mean:
- Non-GM
- Guaranteed from the Danube region / Europe
- No deforestation (cut-off 2008) & no conversion
- Transparent and consistent traceability
- No use of glyphosate prior to harvest (desiccation)
The Donau Soja and Europe Soya guidelines are based on the continuous certification of Donau Soja and Europe Soya products from the farm to the consumer.
CERTIFICATION BODIES
Donau Soja certification bodies constitute the second stage of the Donau Soja certification system. Donau Soja certification bodies are accredited to ISO / IEC 17065 and authorised by the Donau Soja Organisation to conduct Donau Soja / Europe Soya / Non-GM Danube Region Standard certification. These bodies are commissioned by companies (farmers, agricultural collector, trader, primary processor, compound feed producer, processor, animal keeper, etc.) to conduct external inspections and certifications.
The following certification bodies are currently approved for our standard(s):
Donau Soja & Europe Soya
Kontrolldienst Schweizer Tierschutz STS (CH-DS-02)
QAL GmbH (DE-DS-02)
Non-Gm Danube Region Standards
continue to Certified partners and members »
CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
The Donau Soja and Europe Soya guidelines are based on continuous certification of Donau Soja and Europe Soya products along the entire value chain from the farm to the final consumer.
Certification by independent certification bodies, approved by the Donau Soja Organisation, begins with the primary agricultural collector including the supplying farmers and continues through to the marketer.
All operators downstream of the soybean farmer, such as agricultural collectors, traders, primary processors, compound feed producers, animal keepers, food processors or marketers, must sign an inspection contract with a certification body recognised by the Donau Soja Organisation in order to gain certification.
Depending on the risk level, certification is not always required for soybean farmers. By signing the Declaration of Self-Commitment for farmers and by participating in a group certification through their primary agricultural collector, compliance with the Donau Soja and Europe Soya requirements is assured.
To ensure full traceability, a lot certification system is applied for the trading and transportation of Donau Soja or Europe Soya soybeans from the primary agricultural collector to the primary processor. Lot certificates are usually issued by the seller and must accompany the produce to the buyer. Operators must ensure that soybeans are purchased and sold only with a valid lot certificate, as beans without a valid certificate cannot be recognised as Donau Soja or Europe Soya produce. Lot certificates are required for soybeans only, not for processed soya products or compound feed.
Certificates of Traceability provide additional confirmation of traceability and compliance with the Donau Soja or Europe Soya requirements, including non-GM and sustainability criteria, for processed soya products such as meal, oil, protein concentrate, protein isolate or lecithin. Processors may request such certificates from their certification body on a voluntary basis. Each certificate is valid for the specific lots listed on the document.
Apart from the general requirements, the guidelines include particular requirements for the following participants in the system: