Assessor Resource

AHCORG406A
Oversee compliance with an organic certification scheme

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


This Unit applies to production managers and workplace supervisors in an organic farming enterprise that are responsible for ensuring compliance within the scope of the selected organic certification scheme.

This Unit covers the skills and knowledge required to oversee continued compliance with an organic certification scheme and defines the standard required to: keep production records; keep records that support the organic certification scheme; comply with quality assurance requirements; comply with the specific organic certification scheme; and comply with the food safety requirements of the supply chain.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)

Prerequisites

Nil.

Employability Skills

This Unit contains employability skills.



Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

A person who demonstrates competency in this Unit must be able to provide evidence that they can oversee compliance with an organic certification scheme.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this Unit

The evidence required to demonstrate competency in this Unit must be relevant to workplace operations and satisfy holistically all of the requirements of the performance criteria and required skills and knowledge and include achievement of the following:

identify and document compliance requirements of the selected organic standard relating to the farm system

identify and document key farm operations impacted by the organic standards

support key personnel and staff to implement and foster a compliant organic supply chain culture

keep accurate records at all key supply chain steps to verify and maintain organic compliance

conduct an internal organic audit of the farm system and accurately complete associated records and documents

participate in an annual organic audit and successfully close any identified corrective actions

identify food safety requirements and ensure compliance of the farm system with industry standards

ensure all farm records and production data is kept, monitored and maintained in compliance with National Organic Standard requirements.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Competency requires the application of work practices under work conditions. Selection and use of resources for some worksites may differ due to the regional or enterprise circumstances.

Method of assessment

Assessment methods must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the AHC10 Training Package and can be assessed holistically with other Units.

Assessment methods must confirm consistency and accuracy of performance (over time and in a range of workplace relevant contexts) together with application of required knowledge.

Assessment must be by direct observation of tasks, with questioning on required knowledge and it must also reinforce the integration of employability skills.

Assessment methods must confirm the ability to access, interpret and apply the required knowledge.

Assessment may be applied under project-related conditions (real or simulated) and require evidence of process.

Assessment must confirm a reasonable inference that competency is able not only to be satisfied under the particular circumstance, but is able to be transferred to other circumstances.

Assessment may be in conjunction with assessment of other Units of Competency.

The assessment environment should not disadvantage the candidate.

Assessment practices should take into account any relevant language or cultural issues related to Aboriginality, gender or language backgrounds other than English.

Where the participant has a disability, reasonable adjustment may be applied during assessment.

Language and literacy demands of the assessment task should not be higher than those of the work role

Guidance information for assessment

To ensure consistency of performance, competency should be demonstrated on more than one occasion over a period of time in order to cover a variety of circumstances, cases and responsibilities, and where possible, over a number of assessment activities.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills include:

Ability to:

identify critical steps and in the production of organic products

identify issues that may cause non-compliance with the organic certification scheme

provide induction and in-service staff training

implement organic standards and manage contingencies

plan and organise audit activities

identify food safety hazards

keep records and prepare reports to meet compliance and/or client requirements

respond to corrective action requests

maintain production and compliance records

use literacy skills to interpret and follow organisational policies and procedures, develop sequenced written instructions, record accurately and legibly information collected and select and apply procedures to a range of tasks

use oral communication skills/language competence to fulfil the job role as specified by the organisation including questioning, active listening, asking for clarification, negotiating solutions and responding to a range of views

use interpersonal techniques to work with others and relate to people from a range of cultural, social and religious backgrounds and with a range of physical and mental abilities.

use numeracy skills to estimate, calculate and record routine and complex workplace measures and data

use problem-solving skills to identify and react appropriately to environmental implications, OHS hazards and threats to compliance with the organic certification scheme.

Required knowledge includes:

Knowledge of:

organic standards and specifications

applicable food safety and licensing requirements

farm supply chain market requirements for product

organic quality specifications for product

enterprise and industry quality assurance systems

strategies for control of hazards to organic compliance.

The range statement relates to the Unit of Competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Organic certification scheme may include:

A range of certification programs used by the different organic certifying bodies and where appropriate the different requirements for export to specific countries.

AUS-QUAL Limited (AUSQUAL)

Australian Certified Organic (ACO)

Byo-Dynamic Research Institute

National Association of Sustainable Agriculture Australia (NASAA)

Organic Food Chain (OFC)

Safe Food Production Queensland

Tasmanian Organic Dynamic Producers

ACO Small Producer Scheme

Biological Farmers of Australia

Organic and biodynamic products

Australian and Biodynamic food

National Organic Program (NOP)

Japan Agricultural Standard (JAS).

Key farm operations may include:

use of production inputs

contractor equipment and machinery

transport equipment and facilities

processing

packaging and labelling

livestock husbandry

environmental management.

Records may include:

input and output registers

production records

isolation log

organic management plan

client statements

sales and purchases records.

Staff and key personnel may include:

members of farm family

farm staff

supply and marketing chain personnel.

Food safety requirements may include:

national and state legislation

local council requirements

AS ISO 22000

Food Safety Standards (Australia)

industry schemes including Livestock Production Assurance

Freshcare

Spotless food safety standard

Salad Good Agricultural Practices (Salad GAP).

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Access the selected organic certification scheme relevant to the operation and management of the organic farming enterprise. 
Identify and interpret key clauses and requirements of the organic standard that relate to the existing farm system. 
Identify and document compliance of the farm system with the requirements of the selected organic certification scheme. 
Identify and document key farm operations that are impacted by the organic standards. 
Identify the records and detail required for compliance with the organic certification scheme. 
Complete and maintain clear and accurate records to an approved industry standard. 
Communicate recording requirements to appropriate stakeholders and key personnel. 
Monitor the record keeping process and maintain records to the National Organic Standard. 
Identify all steps within the production system that require compliance with the selected organic standards. 
Support staff and key personnel to implement and foster a compliant organic supply chain culture. 
Keep accurate records at all key supply chain steps to verify and maintain compliance. 
Comply with the specific certification requirements. 
Prepare the farm and organic records and documents for audit. 
Conduct an internal organic audit of the farm system and complete associated records and documents. 
Take corrective actions to comply with the specific certification requirements. 
Participate in an annual organic audit. 
Comply with and close any corrective actions requested. 
Identify food safety requirements that must be satisfied by the farm system to comply with industry standards. 
Communicate food safety requirements to all staff. 
Keep records to demonstrate compliance with food safety requirements to industry standard. 
Correct any non-conformance issues identified by internal audit or industry compliance audit. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

AHCORG406A - Oversee compliance with an organic certification scheme
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I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

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Assessment Record Sheet

AHCORG406A - Oversee compliance with an organic certification scheme

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Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

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