Voluntary Certification Research Articles

THE ROLE OF STANDARDIZATION AND VOLUNTARY CERTIFICATION IN IMPROVING THE QUALITY AND COMPETITIVENESS OF PRODUCTS FOR VETERINARY MEDICINE AND ANIMAL HUSBANDRY

The article analyzes the impact of the introduction of standardization and voluntary certification to improve the quality of veterinary medicines, feeds, feed additives and premixes. In terms of increased competition, both domestic and global markets, you need to look for new ways to improve the quality of products for veterinary medicine and animal husbandry. The competitiveness of the enterprise depends, first of all, on the ability of the business entity to meet the needs of consumers at relatively minimal cost. In improving the quality of veterinary products, a particularly important role is played by its standardization and certification, the basic legal and organizational principles of which are regulated by the Law of Ukraine «On Standardization». However, companies that carry out standardization of products, in addition to the aforementioned law, should be guided more by such regulations: the Law of Ukraine «On veterinary medicine», SOU KZPS 74.9-02568182-003:2016 «Guidelines for typical construction, layout, design, marking, acceptance and giving effect», State Classifier of products and services DK 016:2010.
 On January 1, 2018, the Decree of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine «On Standardization» № 46-93 expired and the State Certification System of Ukraine (UkrSEPRO system) suspended its activities. However, the UkrSEPRO system certificate was replaced by a voluntary certificate of conformity issued by the accredited National Accreditation Agency of Ukraine (NAAU) in accordance with the requirements of the international standard DSTU EN ISO/IEC 17065:2017 «Conformity assessment. Requirements for certification agencies for products, processes and services».
 The basis of voluntary standardization and certification of veterinary products and products for the needs of animal husbandry is the confirmation of the manufacture of quality and safe products that will ensure its competitiveness in domestic and foreign markets.

Disclosure of Nanomaterials under Nanotechnology Product Inventory, Voluntary Certification, and Voluntary Labelling

Nanotechnology has revolutionised the food industry and flooded the consumers’ market worldwide with engineered nanomaterials (ENMs), creating concerns on potential risks towards safety and health. This article analyses the institutional approach for disclosure of information on the presence of ENMs in food products and their limitations. It adopts a doctrinal approach and content analysis by examining relevant literature on disclosure of nanomaterials from journal articles and books from online databases and institutional websites. To overcome the limitations of the institutional approach of nanotechnology product inventories, voluntary certification programme, and voluntary labelling, this article proposes that the information disclosed must be in full and accurate. More importantly, the information on potential risks of exposure, use of nanotechnology, or presence of nanomaterials must be verified and constantly updated. This study hopes to significantly contribute to improving the transparency of nanofood information systems.

Method for Preserving High Conservation Value Forests in the Prichulym Taiga of Tomsk Region During Logging

The paper presents a method to preserve high conservation value forests in accordance with the international certification system of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) in the Prichulym taiga of Tomsk region during logging. The taiga landscapes in the area of Prichulym’e are unique due to natural monuments, reserves, and specially protected natural areas with rare species of animals, birds, plants and valuable coniferous stands. These territories included in the forest fund of Tomsk region demand increased attention and systematic control, especially during logging and timber harvesting. At the first stage of the study, forest areas in the operational forests of the Zyryanskiy forestry in Tomsk region, leased by Sibirles OOO for logging and timber harvesting, were investigated. Based on the results of the study, some forest areas were referred to the category of high conservation value forests in accordance with the above-mentioned voluntary international certification system that implies an important function of protecting habitats of rare and endangered species of animals and plants, including those listed in the Red Book and regionally significant species. In such forests, logging and any type of felling are prohibited. Thus, these areas were conditionally excluded from the list of forests allowed for final felling. The results of the independent monitoring performed by the authors allowed the following conclusion: no violations were found in logging activities of Sibirles OOO that leased the parts of the forest in Zyryanskiy district for logging and timber harvesting. On the one hand, such joint activities and monitoring are economically costly; on the other hand, they are important and significant for further identification of the places abundant in unique flora and fauna.

Risk management options to contrast the introduction of citrus fruit bacterial canker through ornamental Rutaceae in the Mediterranean Basin: An Italian case study

Citrus bacterial canker (CBC) is a known disease caused by Xanthomonas citri subsp citri, which affects many species and varieties of Rutaceae. It causes evident damage on the epigeal parts of plant (leaves and branches) and, in particular, on the fruits, causing their fall and/or deterioration, making them unsuitable for sale. EPPO has signaled its presence in many Asian countries and in the Middle East, in South and Central America and in some regions of the African continent, but not yet in Europe. There are several possible ways of introducing this pathogen into the Mediterranean Basin and, among these, there is the trade of plant material for propagation and planting and the flow of tourism between the risk areas and the Mediterranean countries. This research demonstrates how the risk of invasion through ornamental Rutaceae is evident and identifies - in a participatory way through the involvement of stakeholders - some possible tools of phytosanitary protection. The methodological approach, with multi-criteria analysis, recognizes the interest in forms of protection represented by voluntary certification tools, rather than the introduction of new taxation that can finance the protection system.

Проблемы функционирования и перспективы развития сертификации в строительстве

The article presents an overview of the state of the market of mandatory and voluntary certification in construction on the territory of the Russian Federation. The key unresolved problems of the existing conformity assessment systems are identified. Based on the analysis carried out, there are proposed some mechanisms and ways of solving these problems, which would help restoring trust in voluntary certification systems among both active market participants and ordinary consumers of certification objects.

СЕРТИФІКАЦІЯ ПРОДУКЦІЇ ТА ПОСЛУГ ЗАКЛАДІВ БАРНОЇ СПРАВИ В УКРАЇНІ

The article substantiates the importance of certification of products and services of bar establishments in Ukraine. It is established that one of the areas of state influence on the work of bar establishments is the introduction of mandatory and voluntary certification. The peculiarities of carrying out certification works for a bar establishment are analyzed. It is noted that the availability of the necessary quality certificates for products and services of restaurants is an extremely important element of their successful operation in the domestic market. Compliance with state standards of service provision and sale of products by bar establishments remains important. Given the diversity of bar establishments operating in Ukraine, certification of products and services is necessary for their activities. The coincidence of the interests of the state with the interests of the owners allows to significantly expanding the boundaries of state regulation, and vice versa. One of the areas of state influence is the introduction of mandatory and voluntary certification of restaurants in Ukraine. Catering services for restaurants and bars, including those provided by tourism entities are subject to mandatory certification for compliance with regulatory requirements and compliance with international standards ISO 9000 series. Catering services subject to mandatory certification include the services of restaurants, cafes, bars, canteens and other catering establishments that provide services to tourists. Formally, the following types of bars are allowed in Ukraine: cocktail bar, milk bar, beer bar (pub), wine bar, gaming bar, grill bar, coffee shop, vitamin bar, dessert bar. Certification of food services in the voluntary system of UkrSEPRO is carried out in accordance with established standards. Bar establishments to expand the range can receive qualified assistance in Ukrmetrteststandard. All performed works on certification of products and services are paid by the subject of bar business the applicant under contracts for carrying out certification works, which are concluded with the body for certification of products. Certification of products and services is part of the state regulation of the activities of domestic restaurant businesses. Certification of products and services of bar establishments creates preconditions and conditions for successful solution of important socio-economic problems and tasks that promote integration processes in the restaurant business.

РАЗРАБОТКА СТАНДАРТНЫХ ОБРАЗЦОВ СОСТАВА ЖАРОСТОЙКИХ СПЛАВОВ НА ОСНОВЕ НИКЕЛЯ ДЛЯ СПЕКТРАЛЬНОГО АНАЛИЗА КАТОДОВ, ИСПОЛЬЗУЕМЫХ ДЛЯ ИОННО-ПЛАЗМЕННЫХ ПОКРЫТИЙ РАБОЧИХ И СОПЛОВЫХ ЛОПАТОК ГТД

In the work, the development of technologies for the manufacture and production of standard samples of heat-resistant nickel-based alloys: SDP-1, SDP-2, VSPD-9, VZhL-2, AZh-8. Developed and certified by MI 1.2.027–2011 «Method of measuring alloying elements by x-ray fluorescence method in heat-resistant alloys» establishes the measurement of the dimensions of alloying elements in heat-resistant nickel-based alloys by x-ray fluorescence method. The registration of the RSA of heat-resistant nickel-based alloys SDP-1, SDP-2, VSPD-9, VZhL-2, AZh-8 in the System of voluntary certification of standard samples of materials and materials.

System of voluntary certification of seed potatoes in the United Kingdom

System of voluntary certification of seed potatoes in the United Kingdom

Solutions of the HACCP issues in live kvass production

Currently, one of the main tasks facing manufacturers is the development and implementation of the HACCP system in the production of high-quality food products. In Russia the conformity of HACCP systems is confirmed by certification. In February 2001, the Gosstandart of Russia registered the HACCP voluntary certification system. It’s purpose is to control all hazardous factors that are likely to threaten the safety of food products. The article discusses the issue associated with solving the problems of ensuring safety of live kvass production at all technological stages. In our research a block diagram of the technological process for the production of «Maykopsky Chestny» kvass at LLC «MPC» Maykop Brewery plant has been analyzed and compared with the standard kvass production scheme. Potentially dangerous factors (physical, chemical, biological) have been analyzed. Critical control points (CCP) have been determined at certain stages of the technological process on the basis of the list of significant hazardous factors. The «Decision tree» method has been (GOST R 51705.1-2001) to select critical control points. This method makes it possible to determine whether this stage of the technological process is critical. The CCP have been determined by analyzing each considered hazardous factor separately and considering all the operations included in the production process diagram sequentially. In the research the situations have been considered that might reveal exceedance of fixed critical limits in the CCP and for this purpose corrective actions have been developed. The research results on the development of the HACCP system at LLC «MPK» Maykop Brewery plant will make it possible to obtain high quality live kvass.

Orchestrating a Multi-Stakeholder Supply Chain Network: The Case of Exporters in Cocoa Certification in Cote d’Ivoire

Using a case study, this article uses the concept of network orchestration to examine the role of exporters in the implementation of voluntary cocoa certification in Cote d’Ivoire. To this end, data were collected from literature reviews, surveys of two exporters, and 20 cooperatives. Actor linkage matrix, actor linkage map and discourse analysis are used to understand the role of exporters in cocoa certification in Cote d’Ivoire. The findings show that exporters not only participate in the construction of a network of actors around the implementation of cocoa certification, but above all they pilot the network to facilitate certification implementation by actively participating in the mobility of knowledge and financial resources within the network and managing the certification process. However, although exporters play a key role in the implementation of voluntary certifications, their role as network orchestrator is dilemmatic. Indeed, they use their position as orchestrator to control sales of cooperatives’ certified cocoa and their premium.JEL Codes: O350, Q55

Conceptual features of attribution of strategic plans of stakeholders of the construction industry

The article considers the strategic directions of construction industry development in terms of following the imperatives of sustainabledevelopment on the basis of production «greening».The research concerns the analysis of current transformations of activity of all construction complex stakeholders, including development of development companies strategic concepts.The preconditions for the development of ecobuilding and ways to implement it in Ukraine are considered, taking into account international experience.The systems of voluntary certification of construction products, which corresponds to the concept of "green construction", are described, thecriteria for evaluating finished construction products are given, and the reasons for the lack of certification of organizational and technologicalsolutions during construction are analyzed.The article analyzes the problems of ecodevelopment progress. One of the main reasons is the linear model of the economy, on the principlesof which the domestic industry continues to existfor the most part. The organization of sectoral relations on the principles of the circular model of the economy allows to follow the postulates of sustainable development, adopted by the governmentin the development strategy for the near future.Therefore, the development of bases for the collection, sorting and processing of waste, namely, construction waste, is not just a promising sector of economic growth, but a necessity for the development of the industry.The dependence between the efficiency of construction products of any period of its life cycle and the initial design decisions is given, the definition of a successful construction product in terms of achieving efficiency by each corporate member of the conglomerate is given.As a result of the comparison of the sustainable development goals with the basic principles of the circular model of the economy, the key directions of industry transformation on the way to the greening of production are proposed. In particular, the adaptation mechanisms and areas of launching a market for new services for development companies in various fields: fi-development, land development and surveying.

CURRENT TRENDS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE EUROPEAN MODEL OF ENSURING THE QUALITY OF LIVESTOCK PRODUCTS IN UKRAINE

The most important task of the modern agrarian policy for the development of the meat products sub-complex is to maintain and increase the level of meat production, stimulate the expansion of its range and degree of processing, as well as to improve the quality. The country's transition to market relations necessitates further improvement of the economic mechanism of management in the meat products sub-complex, their reorientation to stimulate the production of competitive products, considering consumer demand. The article aims to reveal modern approaches to guaranteeing the quality and safety of livestock products in the EU and substantiate the possibilities of their application in Ukraine. This work reveals modern approaches to guarantee the quality and safety of animal products in the EU and justify their possible use in Ukraine. The key elements of the new food safety concept in the EU, rooted in the early 2000s are discovered. The specific legislation governing food safeties in the EU is shoved up. The features of the system of quality certification and livestock products produced with food are discovered. Directions for the formation of an effective system for ensuring the quality and safety of organic livestock products are proposed. The experience of product quality management in the meat sub-complex of the EU countries is revealed. The trends of the European system of compulsory labelling of animal welfare in the manufacture of certain types of livestock production and distribution systems of the voluntary certification program for the protection of animals are revealed. The problems in quality due to the intensification of livestock are noted. The trends and modern approaches to improving knowledge about the impact of a number of substances and ingredients contained in animal products, on human health are analysed

Passing on pot: when environmental organizations disengage from political consumerism in highly stigmatized sectors

ABSTRACT Environmental movement organizations (EMOs) contribute to and benefit from political consumerism initiatives, such as voluntary sustainability certifications (VSCs). Surprisingly, EMOs have avoided America’s fastest growing agricultural sector: newly legalized cannabis (marijuana). Drawing on qualitative mixed methods – interviews with cannabis supply chain actors and legalization advocates, industry event participation, desk-based research, and dispensary visits – I analyze the nine voluntary sustainability certifications that have emerged to facilitate political consumerism in the US cannabis market to identify the conditions under which EMOs eschew political consumerism, and the consequences thereof. EMOs may avoid ethical consumerism initiatives in countercultural sectors because endorsing stigmatized products/lifestyles or challenging existing ethical frames may create reputational risk. Without the expertise, accountability, and resources EMOs typically provide, VSCs may stagnate or ignore best practices of standards-setting, auditing, and governance. Stigmatized sectors may be highly susceptible to industry capture, compromising the potential of political consumerism as a vehicle for environmental change.

Societal awareness of environmental certifications in Costa Rica

The effectiveness of voluntary environmental programs and certifications to render social and private benefits depends on how aware consumers are, so that they can consider such initiatives when making their decisions. Consumers’ awareness has been mostly addressed in developed countries, although the benefits of companies’ environmental actions also take place in developing countries. This study is conducted in a developing country, such as Costa Rica. Using a large sample (n = 1191), consumers’ awareness of environmental certifications is studied at a general level (being able to name some environmental certification or program) and at a specific level (ability to name certified firms). The results show that consumers who are younger, with higher household income, with a university or technical degree and those participating in environmental or community groups are more likely to be aware of environmental certifications on both levels. Moreover, aware consumers tend to be more willing to pay for a certified coffee or a coffee produced by a certified company.

Association of certification, improved quality and better oncological outcomes for rectal cancer in a specialized colorectal unit.

Centralization of cancer care is expected to yield superior results. In Germany, the national strategy is based on a voluntary certification process. The effect of centre certification is difficult to prove because quality data are rarely available prior to certification. This observational study aims to assess outcomes for rectal cancer patients before and after implementation of a certified cancer centre. All consecutive patients treated for rectal cancer in our certified centre from 2009 to 2017 were retrieved from a prospective database. The dataset was analyzed according to a predefined set of 19 quality indicators comprising 36 quality goals. The results were compared to an identical cohort of patients, treated from 2000 to 2008 just before centre implementation. In total, 1059 patients were included, 481 in the 2009-2017 interval and 578 in the 2000-2008 interval. From 2009 to 2017, 25 of 36 quality goals were achieved (vs. 19/36). The proportion of anastomotic leaks in low anastomoses was improved (13.5% vs. 22.1%, p = 0.018), as was the local 5-year recurrence rate for stage (y)pIII rectal cancers (7.7% vs. 17.8%, p = 0.085), and quality of mesorectal excision (0.3% incomplete resections vs. 5.5%, p = 0.002). Furthermore, a decrease of abdominoperineal excisions was noted (47.1% vs. 60.0%, p = 0.037). For the 2009-2017 interval, local 5-year recurrence rate in stages (y)p0-III was 4.6% and 5-year overall survival was 80.2%. Certification as specialized centre and regular audits were associated with an improvement of various quality parameters. The formal certification process has the potential to enhance quality of care for rectal cancer patients.

Assessment of the car service services quality according to the certification system criteria

The Assessment of services quality is an urgent task in markets with imperfect information. Car service market refers to markets with imperfect information. Earlier, the author proposed to assess the car service quality by the voluntary services certification system criteria using the generalized principle of Edgeworth-Pareto. To implement this approach in practice, information is needed on the relative importance of the criteria, which can be obtained from regression models. The novelty of this work is the use of regression models without a constant. The information indicators analysis of the obtained models revealed the greatest importance of two of the six criteria. The information obtained is used for multicriteria assessment of the quality of the services and building a car service enterprises rating.

Sustainable Construction through Industry Self-Regulation: The Development and Role of Building Environmental Assessment Methods in Achieving Green Building

The role of industry self-regulation in facilitating sustainable development has gained increasing recognition over the past two decades. As a result, voluntary certification standards have become ever more common and have been portrayed as effective means of enforcing more environmentally beneficial practices across a range of industries. In this paper, we consider the role of one such type of standard, building environmental assessment methods (BEAMs), and the role they have played in the transition towards green building in the construction industry. Drawing on the theory of strategic action fields, and using the case of HK BEAM in Hong Kong, we investigate the origins, development and impact of BEAMs in what is a highly de-centralised and fragmented industry. The paper concludes with reflections on the need to extend focus from the contents of the BEAMs in terms of categories, criteria and weightings, to instead more actively consider the “taken-for-granted” assumptions around sustainability and the dominant institutionalised practices in construction.

Comment on FDIC Request for Information on Standard Setting and Voluntary Certification for Models and Third-Party Providers of Technology and Other Services, RIN 3064–ZA18

The FDIC proposes to designate private standards setting organizations (SSOs) and certifying organizations (COs) for use in the supervision of third party technology service providers (fintechs) that partner with banks in providing financial products and services. This comment cautions against the use of such third parties in bank supervision broadly and specifically in the context of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's August 2019 proposal to create expansive safe harbors from Fair Housing Act disparate impact liability when algorithmic models are using in risk assessments.

Do voluntary certification standards improve yields and wellbeing? Evidence from oil palm and cocoa smallholders in Ghana

ABSTRACT Cocoa and oil palm production are major agricultural activities in Ghana, contributing substantially to the national economy and rural livelihoods. Even though smallholders produce practically all cocoa and a large fraction of oil palm in Ghana, their production is currently characterized by low yields and negative environmental and socioeconomic outcomes. Different certification standards have been promoted to enhance oil palm and cocoa sustainability in Ghana. This paper assesses the impact of certification standards on farm yields and the wellbeing of oil palm and cocoa smallholders. We focus on two sites of Ghana using a combination of monetary and non-monetary wellbeing indicators and Propensity Score Matching (PSM). Through certification, oil palm and cocoa smallholders adopt sustainable production practices (albeit to different extents), with certification having a mostly significant positive effect on farm yields, income and multidimensional poverty for both types of crop smallholders. However, certified cocoa smallholders have a relatively lower income diversification, which increases their vulnerability to price and yield fluctuations. It is important to build farmer capacity with income diversification strategies, possibly through the certification training received and the re-investment of the economic gains obtained through premiums and yield gains.

Participation in UTZ-RA voluntary cocoa certification scheme and its impact on smallholder welfare: Evidence from Ghana

The study analyzed the determinants and extent of participation in UTZ-RA cocoa certification program as well as its impacts on smallholder farmers' welfare. Using cross-sectional data collected from 296 cocoa farmers in Ghana and employing the Cragg double hurdle model to analyse participation, the study also controls for sample selection bias using propensity score matching technique. The results revealed that household size, years of formal education, non-farm income, sex of respondent, quantity of man-hours of labour used in cocoa production as well as dependency ratio influenced participation. The findings also reveal that the UTZ-RA cocoa certification program increased yield and household income. It however had a negative impact on the food security status of cocoa farming households. Data from this paper has demonstrated that increased productivity and income from certification of commodities might not necessarily lead to enhanced food security status of enrolled farmers. The study recommends that, the Rainforest Alliance scheme should consider food security indicators in the next revised edition of their code of conduct which has since been finalized for implementation. Employment of different food security measurement tools in the revised codes is highly recommended. This will provide a better understanding of the synergies and trade-offs that exist or are likely to exist between cash crop production and food security.