Agriculture is the heartbeat of Kenya’s economy — supporting families, creating jobs, and driving exports across the continent and beyond. Agribusiness impacts millions of lives, ranging from smallholder farms in rural villages to large-scale processing plants.
As Kenyan farmers and agribusinesses seek to enter international markets, it becomes evident that success involves more than just food production; it requires compliance with global standards. That is where ISO Certification for AgriBusiness comes in.
In this article, we will discuss the importance of ISO certification for agribusiness in Kenya.
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Why ISO Certification Matters in Kenya’s Agribusiness Sector
Kenya’s agribusiness industry is an important part of the country’s economy and a big part of its GDP and employment. As the industry changes, there is a greater need for standardized standards to assure quality, safety, and sustainability.
ISO certifications give agribusinesses a well-known framework to tackle these demands, boosting their competitiveness at home and abroad.
Now that we know why Kenya’s agribusiness needs ISO certification, let’s discuss the requirements for ISO certification for agribusiness.
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Requirements of ISO Certifications for Agribusiness
ISO certifications help organizations create a structured approach to improve their processes, guarantee quality, manage risks, and support sustainability. Let’s go over the main requirements:
ISO 26000:2010 – Social Responsibility
- Set up governance systems that are open and accountable.
- People who work for or with the company should respect and support human rights.
- Make sure that workers are treated fairly, with fair pay, hours, and safe places to work.
- Participate in the local community and contribute to its growth.
ISO 9001:2015 – Quality Management Systems
- Set up a quality policy and goals that are in line with the company’s strategic plan, and let everyone know about them.
- Manage systems that are connected to boost overall performance.
- Find possible risks and opportunities and do what you need to do to reduce or take advantage of them.
- Keep track of the paperwork that supports the quality management system (QMS) and shows that it is being used correctly.
- Make sure that your customers’ needs are met and that they are happy by giving them good ways to communicate and give feedback.
ISO 14001:2015 – Environmental Management Systems
- Create an environmental strategy that shows how committed the company is to protecting the environment.
- Identify and follow the environmental and civil rules that apply.
- Find out how the company’s actions, products, and services affect the environment.
- Set goals and aims for the environment and make plans for how to reach them.
- Set up ways to keep activities that could have a big effect on the environment under control.
ISO 22000:2018 – Food Safety Management Systems
- Create a policy on food safety and share it with everyone.
- Do a hazard analysis to find possible threats to food safety and set up ways to stop them.
- Use PRPs to keep the area clean and make sure that food is produced safely.
- Set up a way to keep track of where food comes from, how it is used, and where it is stored.
- Make plans for handling possible food safety situations.
ISO 45001:2018 – Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems
- Create a policy that says the company will do its best to provide a safe and healthy workplace.
- Find the dangers in the workplace and evaluate the risks to figure out the best ways to keep them from happening.
- Make sure that the necessary health and safety laws are followed.
- Give your workers the training they need to make sure they can do their jobs safely.
- Set up ways to look into and deal with events that happen at work.
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Benefits of ISO Certifications for Agribusiness
Obtaining ISO certification provides various benefits to agribusiness, including increased operational efficiency, marketability, and sustainability. Here are some of the main benefits:
- Implementing ISO standards helps to standardize processes, which makes operations run more smoothly and with less variation.
- Getting ISO 9001 certification makes sure that all of your goods and services meet the same high standards of quality, which makes your customers happier.
- ISO 14001 certification helps businesses reduce their impact on the environment by making better use of resources and cutting down on waste.
- ISO 26000 accreditation demonstrates the company’s commitment to social responsibility, which benefits its reputation and stakeholder relationships.
- Getting certified can help you get into new markets, especially in places where ISO compliance is needed to do business.
- ISO certifications make sure that the company follows all laws and rules, which lowers the risk of fines and legal problems.
- Using ISO 45001 makes the workplace safer, which boosts morale and output among workers.
Getting ISO certifications is important for agribusinesses that want to make their processes better, improve quality and safety, and show they care about sustainability.
How Johan Consults Certifications Can Help
At Johan Consults, we make sure that businesses follow ISO standards by reviewing and certifying them. Here’s how we can help:
- Audit Services: To see if your company is following the appropriate ISO standards, our team of experienced auditors conducts thorough audits. Our team checks your procedures, records, and daily operations to make sure they are up to the strict standards.
- Getting Certified: We give you the ISO certification once the audit is over and done with. This shows that your business cares about quality, safety, and the environment.
- Re-certification and Surveillance: Regular surveillance checks are needed to keep your ISO certification valid. We offer ongoing help through regular audits to make sure that compliance continues. We also do re-certification checks at the end of the certification cycle to make sure you keep your certification.
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FAQs – ISO Certifications for Agribusiness
1. What is ISO 9001:2015, and how does it benefit agribusiness?
The ISO 9001:2015 standard governs Quality Management Systems (QMS). By setting up a framework for consistent quality management practices. It helps agribusinesses make their products better, make their customers happier, and streamline their processes.
2. How can ISO 45001:2018 benefit the workforce in agribusiness?
ISO 45001:2018 establishes guidelines for occupational health and safety management systems (OHSMS). It helps agribusinesses make the workplace safer, lower risks, and boost the health and effectiveness of their workers.
3. How can ISO 45001:2018 benefit the workforce in agribusiness?
Guidelines for Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (OHSMS) are provided by ISO 45001:2018. It assists agribusinesses in making the workplace safer, lowering risks, and boosting the health and productivity of workers.
4. What does ISO 22000:2018 cover, and why should agribusiness implement it?
ISO 22000:2018 specifies the criteria for food safety management systems (FSMS). This is use by agribusiness companies to ensure food safety through the supply chain, handle food safety risks well, and boost buyer confidence.
5. How can ISO 45001:2018 benefit the workforce in agribusiness?
ISO 45001:2018 specifies guidelines for occupational health and safety management systems (OHSMS). It helps agribusinesses make the workplace safer, lower risks, and boost the health and effectiveness of their workers.
Conclusion
The agribusiness industry is always changing because of new technologies, more environmentally friendly methods, and new rules. In 2024, there is a lot of focus on farming methods that are sustainable and can handle temperature changes.
Additionally, using digital tools in farming is changing how businesses handle quality and environmental effects, which makes ISO 9001 and ISO 50001 more important than ever.
Contact us today to secure your ISO certification for your business.
