JAS

The Japanese Agricultural Standard (JAS) for organic production is a regulatory framework established by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries (MAFF) in Japan to certify agricultural products as organic. Introduced in 2000, the JAS system specifies the requirements for organic plants and processed foods of plant and animal origin to be labeled as “organic” or “JAS-certified organic” in Japan.

The JAS standards for organic production emphasize natural and sustainable farming methods. To be certified under JAS, products must be produced without synthetic chemicals, fertilizers, or genetically modified organisms (GMOs). The standards extend to soil fertility management, which must promote soil health through natural inputs and cycles, as well as to pest and disease management, which should primarily use physical, mechanical, and biological controls rather than chemical interventions.

For livestock, JAS standards require that animals are raised in conditions that meet their health and welfare needs, including access to the outdoors, organic feed, and restrictions on the use of antibiotics and growth hormones. The standards also cover the processing of organic foods, stipulating that processing aids and additives must be approved under JAS regulations and kept to a minimum.

Certification under the JAS organic system involves a rigorous process of application, inspection, and compliance verification conducted by MAFF-accredited certification bodies. Farms and processing facilities undergo annual inspections and reviews to ensure ongoing compliance with JAS standards.

Internationally, JAS organic certification is recognized as equivalent to organic standards in several other countries, including the United States and European Union, through mutual recognition agreements. This allows for smoother trade relations and market access for organic products between these regions.

The JAS certification plays a crucial role in promoting sustainable agricultural practices in Japan and provides Japanese consumers with confidence in the organic label, ensuring that the products they consume are produced according to strict environmental and health standards.

Companies producing organic products and willing to export to the Japanish Market, need to be certified according to the Japanese Agricultural Standard (JAS).

A CERT in cooperation with SCS International, LLC provides inspection and certification services for organic products in compliance with JAS all over the world.

For further information, please contact us.