SKAL Biocontrol

At GoudaCheeseShop.com - Kaashandel Peters, we are proud of our Skal certification (Skal number: 114147) each year, which is required for selling organic products and complying with stringent regulations. Here, we'd like to explain why Skal is crucial for ensuring organic quality.

What is Skal?
Stichting Skal Biocontrole is the independent organization responsible for certifying organic products in the Netherlands. Through annual inspections, Skal oversees the entire Dutch organic sector, guaranteeing a reliable European organic certification on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature, and Food Quality.

Skal, an abbreviation for "Stichting Keur Alternatief voortgebrachte Landbouwproducten," ensures that organic products in the Netherlands meet legal requirements. The Ministry of Agriculture, Nature, and Food Quality has designated Skal as the supervisory authority for carrying out these legal tasks, stemming from European regulations for organic production.

Skal was founded in 1987 to guarantee organic quality. In 1991, the European organic regulation came into effect, with the Dutch government appointing Skal to oversee its compliance. This also marked the name change to Skal Biocontrole.


The Skal Certification: A Seal of Reliability Companies with a Skal certificate deserve recognition
This certificate confirms their compliance with all requirements and legal regulations for organic production and processing. Every link in the chain of organic production, processing, packaging, import, trade, and storage must possess this certificate, exclusively through Stichting Skal Biocontrole.

This means that not only GoudaCheeseShop.com - Kaashandel Peters but also our suppliers, their suppliers, and farms, plantations, and nurseries must all have a Skal certificate. Furthermore, production companies can only label their products as organic if the entire process complies with the regulations monitored and enforced by Skal Biocontrole.

Skal Inspections
Every organic company undergoes at least one thorough inspection annually by a Skal inspector, sometimes even unannounced.

• On the farm, the Skal inspector meticulously examines the land, crops, animals, and stables to ensure compliance with regulations. Are no synthetic fertilizers or chemicals used? Are the animals well cared for and provided with sufficient space?
• During the inspection, the inspector regularly takes samples of leaves, fruits, products, or soil, which are then examined for prohibited substances.
• In factories, such as bakeries, the inspector rigorously checks whether the ingredients and raw materials come from organic sources. Naturally, non-organic ingredients cannot produce organic products.
• The inspector also reviews the accounting records to gain insight into purchased raw materials and aids.
• The inspector electronically sends the findings to Skal's office in Zwolle, where the final assessment takes place. If everything meets legal requirements, the company may market the products as "organic" with the European organic label. This decision is officially called 'certification.'
• It's important to note: organic companies are subject to permanent oversight. In case of violations, Skal may prohibit the company from selling organic products. When necessary, Skal collaborates with other inspection organizations.

Checking Companies
Did you know you can verify whether companies truly have the Skal Biocontrol certificate? You can easily do this using the tool available on Skal's website.
Interested in checking GoudaCheeseShop.com - Kaashandel Peters? Our Skal number is 114147
It's also possible to check this via the website of the European Commission (TRACES) https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/tracesnt/directory/publication/organic-operator/index

Current Information
While we strive to keep this page up-to-date, we recommend checking Skal Biocontrol's website for the most recent information: https://www.skal.nl/