The development process
The certification schemes are developed under the responsibility of the SMK Boards of Experts, which bring together specialists from relevant sectors and stakeholder groups. These Boards oversee the development and revision of the criteria and are supported by input from stakeholders through technical working groups, advisory committees, and public consultations.
Based on this broad input, the Boards of Experts ultimately establish the criteria. Their decisions are guided by scientific insights, sector developments, and practical experience from the field.
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 criteria 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.
Public hearings
Once the draft criteria have been developed, interested parties are invited to participate in a public hearing. Invitations are issued through targeted e-mails, the SMK newsletter, news item on the website and press releases in (trade) media. Participants include a broad range of stakeholders such as businesses, certificate holders, civil society organisations, certification bodies and other interested parties.
During the hearing, the proposed criteria are presented and discussed, giving participants the opportunity to provide feedback. All comments and suggestions are carefully considered when finalising the criteria. In the hearing report, the Committee of Experts also explains how the feedback received has been taken into account in the decision-making process.
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 criteria from the certification schemes.
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 criteria from the certification schemes.
