SECTION 4

Certification &
Testing of Products

4.1 - CERTIFICATION

There are a number of certifications that are required by national authorities as well as overseas buyers.

These are designed to ensure products like food and beverages are safe for consumption. Different food stakeholders offer food safety standards and certification systems that comply with a country’s national standards and are harmonized with the international protocols of the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP). In addition to the food safety management system, there is also organic certification. Outlined are the various types of certifications required by different approval Agencies.

I. Biosecurity Authority of Fiji Certification

• Zoo Sanitary Certificate - An official document used for exporting animals and animal products.
• Phytosanitary Certificate - An official document used for exporting plant and plant products.

II. Food Safety Management Certification

• Food Safety Management system - A set of standards established to direct and control aspects of food safety.
• HACCP - An internationally-recognised system for reducing the risk of safety hazards in food.
• Health Certificate - A document used when exporting, to certify that a food shipment is fit for human consumption, and meets safety standards or other required legislation for exporting.
• GLOBALG.A.P. - A farm assurance program, translating consumer requirements into Good Agricultural Practice

III. Fisheries Certification

All fisheries food products are to be certified by the Competent Authority (CA). Export permits are required for every consignment 48 hours prior to shipment.
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Tuna Export to the European Union (EU) Market
Compliance to EU Fish Export Standards requires vessels, crew, processing plants and storage facilities to be certified by the CA. Fish exports need to be accompanied by Catch Certificates confirming that the fish caught by Fiji fishing vessels are not caught illegally.
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Tuna Export to International Markets
For major markets such as the US, Japan, Australia, Canada, EU, NZ, China, Taiwan and Thailand, the exporter is required to adopt and implement the following food safety systems:

• HACCP System
• Standard Sanitation Operating Procedures (SSOP)
• Good Manufacturing Practices Plan (GMPP)
• Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)

IV. Forestry Certification

• Inspection Certificate for Biosecurity purpose - To verify whether or not the goods conform with the sales contract in regards to quality, quantity, tariff classification, import eligibility and price of the goods for customs purposes.
• Timber Grading Certificate - This ensures that the particular parcel of timber to which the certificate relates has been graded and complies with the requirements of the rules relating to the grade of timber concerned.

V. Organic Certification

Organic certifications are now being used by businesses to certify that their product is genuinely organic. There are various organic schemes that are used in Fiji, listed below:

• Organic Pasifika
• BioGro NZ
• Australia Certified Organic PTY Ltd
• Fijian Organic (under the Fijian Made-Buy Fijian Campaign)

For further information regarding organic certification, POETCom can be contacted via this website link

4.2 - TESTING OF PRODUCTS

Product testing is now becoming an important part of export. Buyers from overseas markets are now requiring products to be tested on certain elements or components. This is to ensure that they are buying high-quality products that can compete in the market.

I. Institute of Applied Science (IAS) – USP

IAS Laboratory Service Unit conducts physical, chemical and microbiological analysis. It holds an extensive equipment base that is key to providing an analytical service in Fiji. Listed below are the five key areas of analysis or testing undertaken by the IAS laboratory:

• Food Analysis
• Water Section
• Microbiology
• Biofuel
• Quality Assurance and Control Unit

The full details of all the above analysis can be accessed via this website link

II. Fiji Agricultural Chemistry Laboratory

The Koronivia Research Station is accredited to undertake soil testing and plant testing.

III. Contact Details