Spiros Sgouros
DIO- Inspection and Certification Organization of
  Organic Products
38 Aristotelous Str.
104 33 Athens
GREECE

Dear Mr. Sgouros:

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) has reviewed your application for accreditation as a certifying agent to perform certification activities on behalf of USDA under the National Organic Program (NOP).  Your application has been approved, subject to the conditions listed on the enclosed Decision on Accreditation document.

Please sign, date, and return by facsimile the enclosed Decision on Accreditation document signifying your acceptance of the terms of your accreditation.  Also note that you must satisfy the noted conditions within the time periods given.  Failure to do so will result in initiation of suspension or revocation of your accreditation and may result in the initiation of suspension or revocation of your clients・certification.

Upon completion of all conditions identified in the Decision on Accreditation document, USDA will issue the Agency a formal accreditation document and certificate of accreditation.  In the interim, this letter and the enclosed Decision on Accreditation document will serve as your notice of accreditation.

This accreditation to certify crop, livestock, wild crop, and handling operations to the National Organic Standards is granted pursuant to the provisions of the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990, as amended, (7 U.S.C. 6501 et seq.) (OFPA) and the National Organic Standards thereunder (7 CFR 205.1 et seq.) (NOS).  This accreditation is effective November 13, 2002, and will terminate on November 12, 2007.

The Agent shall perform all functions in accordance with and comply with all requirements of OFPA, the NOS, and any policies and procedures issued by the NOP.  The Agency shall not require, as a condition of certification, that any client comply with any production or handling practices other than those in the NOS.  The NOS may not be modified, rewritten, or otherwise altered.  Please note that guidance documents may be used to assist clients in complying with the NOS where those standards allow site-specific flexibility in application.  However, it is important to note that such guidance documents are recommendations only and are not binding on the client. 

The Agent shall make application for and receive approval of any change to the scope of its accreditation prior to implementing any such change as required in section 205.510(f) of the NOS.

The Agent shall submit the annual reports and fees required under section 205.510(a) of the NOS.

The Agent shall submit its application for accreditation renewal no later than May 11, 2006, as required in section 205.510(c).

Becoming an accredited certifying agent on behalf of USDA represents a milestone in the National Organic Program.  Your efforts will help producers and handlers promote organic products in the marketplace, and offer consumers a new choice in today痴 fast-paced food markets, based on a consistent national standard for organic products.  We take your responsibility seriously, and if you have any questions about the program or the standards you will be certifying to, please do not hesitate to contact the NOP staff.

Sincerely,

 A. J. Yates
Administrator

Enclosure