Australian Organic Ltd (AOL) has signed a licensing agreement with certifying body AUS-QUAL to offer its bud logo licensing to certified organic businesses.
AOL CEO Niki Ford said the deal was part of AOL's move to become Australia's peak organic industry body. AOL was committed to extending the licensing of the bud logo to more certification bodies throughout Australia in a bid to make it easier for consumers to recognise on a label when a product is truly organic, she said.
“Licensing the Bud logo to more certification bodies is a core strategy to allow more consumers to easily recognise products that are truly organic,” said Ford.
“Australia is the last country in the developed world not to have an enforced domestic organic standard. Domestic regulation is the number one goal for AOL and we are working extensively with regulatory organisations, government departments and the Minister of Agriculture’s office to deliver this by 2020.
“Funds raised from licensing of the Bud logo will be used exclusively for industry development and peak body representation.”
The AOL bud logo is now recognised by over 50 per cent of Australian shoppers and 55 per cent of organic consumers also say they look for certification marks when purchasing organic products. According to the Australian Organic Market Report 2019, it is the most recognised organic certification mark in Australia (Food & Drink Business 05/06/2019).
Agribusiness auditing, certification and training provider, AUS-QUAL is a wholly owned subsidiary of AUS-MEAT Ltd.
AUS-QUAL MD Ian King said: “AUS-QUAL is a long-standing supporter of the Australian organic industry and has been encouraged by the evolution of AOL.”
He said AUS-QUAL recognised the opportunity in this sector and the ability to provide clients with the well-recognised bud logo. “We see it as not only an important step in supporting our clients, but for the broader organic industry including AOL.”
