Influence and decision-making
SMK works closely with Boards of Experts who are advised by the parties involved. They ultimately determine the criteria. This decision is preceded by an extensive process of consultation and advice. How exactly does it work and which parties are involved? We’ll explain it to you.
Duties of the Boards of Experts
- Handling requests for development or extension of certification scheme/criteria.
- Determining the composition of a supervisory committee. This committee serves as a sounding board for the investigation. This is an advisory group of involved parties and certification bodies with specific knowledge about the product group for which criteria are being developed or revised.
- Assessment of draft criteria and advice from the supervisory committee.
- Review the hearing report + list the questions asked with answers.
- Definitive determination of the certification scheme/criteria.
The development process
The certification schemes are established under the responsibility of the SMK Boards of Experts. These Boards consist of experts from the relevant social sectors. They are ultimately responsible for the development of the requirements and are advised by the parties involved in supervisory committees and hearings. Ultimately, the Boards of Experts determine the objective criteria for more sustainable production and business operations.
Supervisory committee
Before a certification scheme is developed, a feasibility study takes place. If there is already a certification scheme, a development or review study is sometimes carried out. It is important that a new requirement within the program can be applied to current and new certificate holders.
During these kinds of investigations, the Board of Experts puts together a supervisory committee. The committee serves as a sounding board and provides advice to the relevant Board of Experts.
Hearings
After the draft criteria have been drawn up, we invite interested parties to a public hearing. This is done via targeted e-mails, the SMK newsletter, a news item on our website and press releases in (trade) media. Invitees include stakeholders with different backgrounds: companies, certificate holders, civil society organisations, certification bodies and other stakeholders.
During the hearing, the requirements are discussed and those present can comment on them. These reactions are considered in determining the definitive criteria. In the report of the hearing, the Board of Experts also indicates how the input has been used.
Board of Experts
Plant Products
The Board of Experts for Plant Products focuses on the establishment and amendment of criteria for the plant products of the various quality labels and certificates of SMK.
Activities
The certification schemes are established under the responsibility of the SMK Board of Experts Plant Products. This Board consists of representatives of stakeholders and scientists from plant sectors. They have a say in the development and updating of the requirements from the certification schemes. The Board ultimately determines the objective criteria for more sustainable production and business operations.
Board of Experts
Animal products
The Board of Experts for animal products focuses on the establishment and amendment of criteria for animal products of the various quality labels and programs of SMK.
Activities
The certification schemes are established under the responsibility of the SMK Board of Experts Animal Products. This Board consists of representatives of stakeholders and scientists from animal sectors. They have a say in the development and updating of the requirements from the certification schemes. The Board ultimately determines the objective criteria for more sustainable production and business operations.
