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Guiding Principles |
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Quality Management
Our Products and production processes are designed to meet the standards of SEKEM quality manual which incorporates principles of fair trade and equal chances for development of all employees. They also meet international quality standards such as the International Demeter Guidelines, EC Regulations for Organic Agriculture (EC regulation 2092/91), European Pharmacopoeia, ISO 9001-2000 as well as Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) certification. Many of our products are also certified according to the National Organic Program (NOP) of the USA and according to the BioSuisse program for Switzerland. To ensure the highest quality, all employees receive training in business, social and cultural topics to enrich both their professional and personal lives and to ensure, that SEKEM is a learning and developing organization.
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Fair Trade
Like in most countries of the South, the price pressure on agricultural products causes great poverty and distress for farmers and environment in Egypt. Organic agriculture and fair trading terms ensure healthy food and eco-systems and is the basis for a positive and sustainable development.
Since its foundation in 1977, Sekem follows in its economic activities the principles of fairness towards all people involved in the production chain. This includes everybody from the producer to the consumer all over the world. SEKEM guarantees fair prices and long term cultivation contracts to the farmers. This makes them more independent from the rapidly changing world market prices, ensures their daily life throughout the year and gives them a perspective for a positive future.
In order to transparently communicate these values to all who are interested in Sekem´s economic activities and in the meantime to raise the customer's awareness for the necessity of these aspects within the economy, Sekem companies are applying for a Fairtrade certification for their products.
Currently Sekem cooperates with the Fairtrade Labelling Organization (FLO) and is
certified for fresh products, herbs, rice and cotton as well as ready made garments.
Therefore SEKEM encouraged the organic farmers, who been working with SEKEM since
many years, to establish an association and apply for fair-trade certification of
their products as well, which are exported through SEKEM. The “Farmers Development
Association” conducts development products like training schemes in organic farming,
health programmes on the villages etc.
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Partnerships
The International Association of Partnership (IAP) was founded to create a dynamic interaction between farmer, producer, and trader in order to provide the consumer with the highest possible quality, at the fairest prices. The IAP is a cooperation forum for all those interested in organic agriculture, and enhances their commitment to nature and a higher quality of food.
As the Biodynamic and organic movement is entering into for the 21 century it receives wider spread attention and recognition in the world markets. Answers and models have to be provided for the question of how to establish a healthy society. It is obvious that only a holistic approach combining economic, social and cultural aspects will meet the requirements.
IAP partners are working in different fields of natural and organic products. They regularly meet to discuss new ways of cooperation in economics, social and cultural fields of their activities.
IAP Members:
- Dr. Schaette AG, for biological veterinary products, Germany
- Ulrich Walter GmbH, for organic herbs and spices, Germany
- Organic Flavour Company, for organic & biodynamic herbs and Spices
- AlnaturA Produktions und Handels GmbH for textiles, Germany
- Organic Farm Foods, for organic fruits and vegetables, UK
- Eosta, for organic fruits and vegetables, Holland
- Aarstiderne , for organic fruits and vegetables, Denmark
- Sekem, Egypt
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More information
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