Control Union Certifications

Information Sheet Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS)

How to join the Control Union (CU) certification programme
Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS)

1.1 The organization Control Union Certifications

Control Union Certifications (part of the Control Union World group) is an independent,
internationally operating organisation that carries out inspections and issues certificates
for sustainable production methods. CU promotes the proper designation of products which
have been cultivated according to sustainable production methods by means of supervising,
testing, inspecting, assessing and certifying them. To co-ordinate its operations as closely as
possible with the local situation, CU has offices worldwide. It is the policy of Control Union
Certifications to delegate inspection and certification activities to local CU offices with a
view to reducing the costs and to improve the service.

1.2 The Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) logo

CU is an inspection and certification organisation that may issue the certification GOLS logo.
Its use is possible for companies that are certified to the Global Organic Latex Standard after
formal approval of the logo use by Control Union Certifications. A registration form is
available on our website.

Products displaying “certified in accordance with the Global Organic Latex Standard”, as
well as products displayed with the GOLS logo, means that raw materials originate from
organic cultivation and are processed complying with the Global Organic Latex Standard.

When the products are displayed with “certified in accordance with the Global Organic
Latex Standard”, as well as products displayed with the GOLS logo, it means that:
1. The product's Natural latex and fibres (if used) come from inspected, organic farming in
compliance with Regulation (EEC) No. 834/2007 for organic production methods or
from NOP or IFOAM.
2. In addition, the certified product complies with the Global Organic Latex Standard.
3. Any Textile material used for the final product should be certified as per GOTS or OE100
4. A product may only display “certified in accordance with the Global Organic Latex
Standard” or the GOLS logo when it satisfies both CUC’s Inspection Regulation and GOLS.
The GOLS logo is a certification mark. It is neither a cultivation mark nor a trademark.
GOLS certified products are identified as “certified in accordance with the Global
Organic Latex Standard”. Additionally a GOLS logo may be displayed by certified
companies after CUC’s written approval.

2.1 Certification as a marketing instrument

The principle of certification can be made clear by the role it plays in society:
- Producers prefer distinction from colleagues/competitors with regard to the supplied
(quality of) products.
- Buyers benefit from a guaranteed performance of the products and from reliable
information about the product.

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Information Sheet Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS)
- Certification organisations, independent and without market interests, form the link
between (the interests of) both parties: the production system is inspected according to
agreed standards, contractually agreed with the producer and regularly inspected. The
Specifications and the area of application are laid down in a scope certificate that is
available for the buyer as an informative document.

2.2 Accreditation of certification organization

Certification organisations can choose, sometimes even legally bound, to be recognised
(accredited) for the work they do. Control Union Certifications is accredited by the Council
for Accreditation (RvA) on EN 45011 / ISO/IEC guide 65.

2.3. Certification in practice

Organic latex Products are increasingly in demand. However, this increasing interest
depends on consumer confidence, particularly if a higher price is being asked for organic
quality. Now, what do you do if you as a producer of Organic Latex Products want to offer
your green Latex Products trustworthy to your customers? CU can be of assistance. As an
accredited certification agency we can provide you with reliable inspection and
certification, which is internationally accepted. In practice the following phases have to be
completed before certification is achieved:

Information phase
1. If you wish to apply for the CU certification program, please complete the application
form enclosed and return the completed form to one of the branch offices of Control Union
Certifications;
2. Control Union Certifications shall subsequently investigate whether we can send you an
offer based on the information as mentioned in the application form;

Admission and contract phase

3. Control Union Certifications will judge if the GOLS standard can be met. Control Union
Certifications will make an offer for the inspection and certification services for one
calendar year and send it to you, together with the Terms of Contract and the CU Inspection
Regulation.
4. When you accept the offer, you should return a signed copy of the offer letter to CU. You
have now entered into an agreement with CU to join this certification program;
5. CU shall send you a confirmation letter with an overview of your annual licensee
registration;

Inspection and certification phase

6. After CU has received the invoiced licensee fee, it shall plan the first inspection visit;
7. After all the necessary inspections have been fulfilled CU shall provide you with a report
of findings. Based on the contents of this report of findings, CU shall decide whether or not
to grant you a certification.
8. If only certain parts of your business can be certified, CU shall do so, providing you with
certain recommendations for the remaining parts of your business which could not be
certified.

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Information Sheet Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS)
3.THE AUDIT.

The purpose of this document is to explain to both new and existing clients as to what is to
be expected during the main and annual assessments of their company.

3.1. The following documents and procedures will have to be completed:

a. Prior to the main audit.
• Completed and signed application form.
• Completed and accepted offer.
• Written quality manual/SOP and approved according to the appropriate
standard(s).
b. Prior to all audits:
• Invoice raised and paid.
• Audit plan and logistics agreed. (These are normally written but may be verbally
agreed).
• Scope of the certificate discussed / confirmed.
• Audit team agreed.

3.2. What is an audit?

It is a systematic, independent and documented process for obtaining audit evidence
and evaluating it objectively to determine the extent to which audit criteria are
fulfilled.

Control Union Auditors are seeking evidence as to how your management systems
comply with the appropriate standard and that that those management systems are
being implemented in accordance with your system plan.

3.3. What is an auditor?

Auditors are independent of the activity being audited and are free from bias and
conflict of interest. Auditors maintain an objective state of mind throughout the audit
process to ensure that the findings and conclusions will be based only on the evidence.

3.4. The opening meeting.

It is the auditor's meeting and so the lead auditor should diplomatically take the chair
and:
• Introduce the team and state that confidentiality will be maintained.
• Invite the auditees to introduce themselves.
• Confirm the previously documented scope of the audit, (departments, scope,
depth, etc).
• Confirm the status of documents and standards to be used as the audit criteria.
• Explain the audit plan and who will be looking at what and when.
• Explain that the aim of the audit is to seek objective evidence that the
quality manual/SOP conforms to the standard and that the organisation
complies with its own processes, procedures and work instructions.
• Explain what non-conformity is, the method of reporting, and the grading of
nonconformities, define Major and Minor together with the implications.
• Explain that no organisation can normally be "registered" until all non-
conformities identified during the audit have been cleared.

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Information Sheet Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS)
• Confirm the domestic arrangements (office accommodation, meals, etc).
• Verify that staff has been informed that the audit is taking place and confirm
access to facilities and records.
• Explain that workers will be interviewed during the audit and request a list of
employees.
• Establish any out-sourcing operations and include in the audit.
• Arrange a tour of the site(s).
• Explain the details, timing and purpose of the closing meeting.
• Confirm that at least a verbal but formal report of audit findings and
recommendations will be made at the closing meeting.
• Confirm that a written report will be available shortly after the closing meeting.
• State that it may not be possible to write and grade observations until the end of
the audit, when the whole management system has been audited and the
significance and impact of the problem(s) understood.
• Invite any questions about the audit.

3.5. The audit itself.

The team leader will ask for a general introduction to the company and brief summary
of the quality manual of the company. If there is more than one auditor, the team will
then divide but will have regular meetings during the audit.
Auditors will be seeking evidence of compliance with the standard. During the audit
they will raise issues that they consider will result in non-conformities to be presented
at the closing meeting. They will be reviewing the effectiveness and implementation of
your quality manual/standard operating procedure (SOP).

3.6. Non-conformities.
Major non-conformities identified during the main assessment:
• A failure to address in the quality manual/SOP, or to effectively implement, a
major requirement of the standard.
• Or consistent failures throughout the standard which results in questions being
raised about the integrity of the quality manual/SOP and its implementation.
• A non-conformity would prevent recommendation for certification.

Major non-conformities identified during an annual or interim assessment:

• Continuing failure over a long period of time.
• Failures are repeated or systematic.
• Failures affect a wide range of production.
• Failures are not corrected or adequately responded to by the responsible
managers once they have been identified.
Minor non-conformity:
• A failure to address part of a major requirement; or an isolated lapse in the
implementation of the defined QMS.
• Also minor non-conformities will prevent recommendation for certification.

3.7. The closing meeting.

The final meeting is then held to close the audit in a conclusive and professional
manner, to agree dates for the completion of any corrective action required, and to
establish any subsequent follow up action. The meeting is chaired by the audit team
leader and wherever possible involve the same people who were present at the
opening meeting.
• At the closing meeting a representative of Top Management should be available.
• Thanks for help and co-operation.

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Information Sheet Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS)
• Statement of confidentiality.
• A resume of the scope of the audit and, as a benefit for any one present who was
not at the opening meeting, re-introduce the team and clarify the objectives and
methods used.
• A statement about the negative aspects of auditing - that although many things
were found to be in conformity, only the nonconformities will be reported.
• Give a disclaimer that the audit was only a sample and it is possible that not all
nonconformities that exist were identified during the audit.
• Restate the definitions of major and minor nonconformities.
• Request that questions and discussion be deferred to the end of the
presentations.
• Request a presentation from each audit team member of their findings in the
areas they audited. These will be the nonconformities raised, with no
embellishment.
• Give an overall summary and conclusions.
• Invite the auditees to discuss specific points and agree dates for the corrective
actions necessary.
• Explain the follow up actions to be taken, if applicable.

The audit team leader distributes copies of non-conformity reports (GOLS.NCREG.F01) and
presents the final report (GOLS.ASSE.F01). This report may be hand-written or verbal at
this point, to be followed by a typed copy within a short period of time. The final report
presented at the closing meeting will contain only factual statements of nonconformities,
supported by objective evidence.

3.8. The certification decision.

After receiving the checklist, report, and other relevant documents, the certifier
evaluates whether they have the necessary quality for them to make the certification
decision and to confirm that the inspection was objective and professional. Attention
is paid to aspects such as completeness, use of valid inspection forms, all details
described, signatures etc.
If anything is incorrect, incomplete, or if there are any questions the inspector in
charge is consulted and asked to explain the inspection results.

CUC shall not issue or re-issue a certificate to a company if there is a minor or major
non-conformity with the requirements of the applicable GOLS standard.

4. Further information
In case you have additional questions do not hesitate to contact us. We will try to find a
suitable solution for your personal situation, without neglecting the standards for organic
production. CU will be pleased to be of your service with regard to inspection and
certification of your organic production. We hope to welcome you in our certification
programme!

Your CU office
Branch Office Zwolle
P.O. Box 161
8000 AD Zwolle

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Information Sheet Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS)
The Netherlands
Tel.: (+)31 38 4260100
Fax : (+)31 38 427 4237040
Email: certification@controlunion.com
http://certification.controlunion.com

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