Abr-Ecolabel Standard

Projet EC-SM « Approche d’Economie Circulaire pour la Conservation de l’Agro-biodiversité dans la région du Souss Massa au Maroc »

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

Definitive Version 2020

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

TABLE OF CONTENT

PART I: ABR-ECOLABEL TECHNICAL STANDARD 5

II. INTRODUCTION

II REFERENCES 6

III. OBJECTIVE 10

V. Instruction manual 11

VI. Implementation process 11

VII. Standard requirements 13

TECHNICAL STANDARD AND ARGAN OIL REGULATIONS 13

TECHNICAL STANDARD AND SOUSS HONEY REGULATIONS 15

TECHNICAL STANDARD AND GOAT MEAT REGULATIONS 19

TECHNICAL STANDARD AND RESPONSIBLE TOURISM REGULATIONS 20

PART II: ABR EMA OPERATIONAL GUIDE 21

1. STANDARD DOCUMENTS 22 2. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 23 3. PES SYSTEM 24 4. COMPLAINTS AND APPEALS 27

PART III: AUDIT PROTOCOL 28

ANNEXES

PART IV: USE MODELS AND MANUALS 43

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

ABBREVIATIONS

ADA Agency for Agricultural Development

ANDZOA National Agency for the Development of the Oases and Argan Zones

ABR EMA Arganeraie Biosphere Reserve Ecolabel Maroccan Association

CDB Convention on Biological Diversity

CES Conservation of soil and water

CMD compensation scheme for grazing set-asides in critical forest habitat

DREFSO South –West Regional Directorate of Water and Forests EC Ecolabel commission GEF Global Environmental Facility

GPI Geographic protected Area

OC Certification bodies

SDG Sustainable Development Goals

GMOs Genetically Modified Organisms

ONSSA National Office of Food Safety

ONU United Nation Organisation

AMP Aromatic and Medicinal Plants

UNDP United Nations Development Program

PSE Payment for Ecosystem Services

ABR Arganeraie Biosphere Reserve

BR Biosphere Reserve

DSOQ Distinctive Signs for Origin and Quality

UNCCD United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification

UNESCO United Nations Educational Cultural and Scientific Organization

UNFCCC United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

INTRODUCTION

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

The Arganeraie Biosphere Reserve Ecolabel standard lays down the rules and criteria for implementing the certification process. This standard aims at: 1) Establishing clear rules and procedures to enable the development of sustainable production and consumption patterns respectful of both biodiversity and human rights in the ABR; 2) Stimulating innovation in the ABR ecosystem rehabilitation activities and measures, including through payment mechanisms for ecosystem services, as well as evaluation and registration procedures, all within a context of quality, credibility and transparency; 3) Encouraging public and private partnerships across product and service value chains in the ABR; 4) Demonstrating workable frameworks and offer lessons that can be integrated along with other efforts to achieve sustainable development goals.

This standard covers the production, packaging, conditioning, transformation and marketing entities s of the Arganeraie Biosphere Reserve (argan, honey, aromatic and medicinal plants, goat meat) as well as rural tourism services. Without being restrictive, this standard can be extended to other agricultural, handicraft and urban tourism sectors of the ABR.

Entities bearing the ABR eco-label must adopt production processes, transformation and/or distribution with a positive and verifiable economic, social and environmental impact for their contribution to the United Nations' Agenda 2030 goal on sustainable production and consumption.

The standard is designed to bring together, under common conditions, the other applicable certificates and approvals (biological label, SDOQ, ONSSA, fair trade ...) and promote the regeneration of the Arganeraie ecosystem by introducing payments for ecosystem services. These will foster the adoption of good practices to preserve and sustainably use the biodiversity of the Arganeraie ecosystem. These will be financed by the labeled cooperatives which will commit themselves to redistributing to the associations of beneficiaries a part of the premium they benefit from the ABR ecolabel in order to implement conservation plans. Such plans will be developed based on the ABR EMA conservation plan.

The requirements for this standard are specified for each sector and are two-fold: Essential requirements covering high-priority and high-risk environmental and/or social issues and criteria for continuous improvement.

This standard shall not substitute the applicable laws and regulations.

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

PART I

ABR-ECOLABEL TECHNICAL STANDARD

I. ABR ECO-LABEL THEORY OF CHANGE

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

The ABR ecolabel theory of change explains the specific objectives and outputs of the certification system as well as the strategy and activities of the stakeholders and the framework for their monitoring, evaluation and reporting. The process ensures the contribution of all the standard elements to achieve the ABR EMA objectives.

As such, PES schemes supported by a certification system, that allows verification of the good practices of Arganeraie regeneration as well as management systems of production entities, are set up with the ultimate goal of biodiversity conservation, climate change adaptation and population well-being.

II. REFERENCES

The legal and institutional framework of the standard has been set up based on applicable national regulations, where appropriate, and on a benchmark of ecological certification models and PES schemes across the world in the lack of an appropriate legal framework; Particularly, compliance with the ecobranding strategy of the UNESCO MAB program,

2.1 NATIONAL LEGAL FRAMEWORK

The ABR Ecolabel commission, being the management authority of the ABR ecolabel, refers to the national legal framework mainly:

- The Constitution providing that environment protection, which is one of commission's key tasks , is a joint responsibility of the State and Civil Society.

- The legal texts on freedom of association governing the right to defend the interests of its members through, for instance, their commitment to implementing ethical standard of voluntary sustainability jointly agreed with public institutions in charge of the ABR management plan and in accordance with applicable regulations.

- The code of contractualization and obligations in managing PES contracts;

- The Royal Decree of 1925 on the definition of the rights of fruit-users and the various texts governing the public forest estate, particularly those with respect to property rights and the good practices of the Arganeraie rehabilitation.

The implementation of the ABR ecolabel is thus based on a jurisdictional approach that calls on the support of public institutions in all phases of its development and revision, on the one hand, and on an international benchmark that enables it to receive a worldwide recognition by meeting the requirements of the ecolabel market, on the other.

2.2 MULTILATERAL AGREEMENTS ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

The United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

Morocco's commitment to sustainable development, officially ́ announced in the Government's statement to Parliament in April 2017, was reflected in its voluntary involvement in the global efforts to achieve sustainable development goals during the 2017-2021 legislative term.

Sustainable production and consumption

The 12thSustainable Development Goal is an appeal to producers, consumers, communities and governments to consider environmental and social impacts along the entire value chain and to reconsider habits and practices in terms of consumption, production and waste management.

Biodiversity conservation

Biodiversitý plays a leading role in human well-being through ecosystem services provisioning and its impact on health, which is intimately linked to consumption and production patterns. These are generally unsustainable and hinder the ability of ecosystems to regenerate.

Transition towards sustainable production patterns will necessarily evolve through establishment of ethical value chains and raising public awareness and access to information on the entire production chain, including biodiversity and eco-system services.

Biosphere Reserves and Sustainable Development

In December 1998, the Arganeraie Biosphere Reserve was recognized by UNESCO as a Common Heritage of Humanity. It is home to a population of 2.6 million inhabitants and covers an area of about 2.5 million hectares in the provinces and prefectures of Agadir Ida Outanane, Inezgane-Ait Melloul, Chtouka-Ait Baha, Tiznit, Taroudant, Sidi Ifni and Essaouira.

This reserve is created around an endemic forest tree species in Morocco, namely the Argan tree (Argania spinosa) which has a great biogeographical value and whose ecosystem provides multiple functions and uses for populations whose socio-economic activities are strongly linked to the various Arganeraie products. It covers nearly 830,000 hectares, i.e. 7% of the forest area in Morocco.

However, this argan tree ecosystem has suffered various degradation factors, both human and natural, which has made its regeneration almost null.

To reverse the current trend of biodiversity loss and degradation of the Arganeraie ecosystem, the project "Circular Economy Approach for the Conservation of Agro-biodiversity in the Souss-Massa- region of Morocco", implemented by ADA with support from the GEF and UNDP and other national and international partners, suggests the introduction of Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES) as an innovative market based instrument in association with the promotion ( ABR ecolabel and marketing) of the main domestic products from this ecosystem. This standard includes PESs for the 5 Ecolabel sectors (argan, honey, AMP, Goat meat and rural tourism). .

Strategic Framework The ABR EMA standard is based on the 2015-2025 MAB Strategy and the 2016-2025 Lima Action Plan for which it refers in its general conditions of certification; namely:

1- Sustainability through conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity by adopting the Ecosystem Services approach, including Payments for Ecosystem Services to ensure

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

sustainable financing of conservation plans for the Arganeraie ecosystem custodians including agro-ecological practices such as Agdal, land terracing, cultivation, etc..; 2- Inclusion and integration through contributing to the well-being of the ABR population, with no one left behind; 3- Innovation and education for development through an openness to sustainability and resilience sciences by means of research and engineering programs; 4- And climate change by ensuring participation in mitigation and adaptation and other global planetary emergencies programs.

Commitment towards the ABR area (ABR framework plan)

The standard is an implementation of the strategic orientations of the ABR framework plan, in line with its on the ground zoning.

Core areas (A Zones) or long-term integral protection zones (deferred grazing areas or indigenous conserved areas), enable the conservation of bio-cultural diversity. These areas of important biodiversity ensure the provision of essential ecosystem services and therefore the population well- being. They should therefore be given conservation status through the introduction of PES as a market-based instrument of conservation.

Buffer zones (B Zones) are intended to be managed in such a way as to revitalize and strengthen sustainable development instruments (Agdal practice, land terracing …).

Transition zones (C zones), outside zones A and B, should encourage emergence of quality economies (arganiculture, domestication of aromatic plants, hydroponic forage systems etc.) as an alternative to natural resources overuse.

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

Eligibility criteria for the use

of the ABR Ecolabel logo

Commitment Commitment Commitment Commitment to the to improving to to social territory products Environmental responsibilit (ABR and services Sustainability y framework quality plan)

Ecolabels and ecological certification

Intended to gain consumer’s trust and credibility, ecolabels allow the ABR products and services entities for ethical market access .

Circular Economy and Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES)

Transition towards circular economy involves changing the linear model of development, currently focused on extraction, transformation and landfill, to a new approach based on the principles of sustainability that creates value and employment opportunities both for the current population and for future generations (Regeneration, Sharing, Optimization, Recycling, Virtualization, Eco design).

Ecosystem services correspond to the benefits derived by humans from biological processes. They are divided into four categories: (i) provisioning services (food, water, etc.), (ii) regulating services (of global climate, water quality, etc.), (iii) supporting services (soil formation, development of the nutritional cycle, etc.), and (iv) cultural services (recreational, spiritual, religious benefits, etc.).

Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) are voluntary and conditional transactions for well-defined environmental services between a provider and a user. In a PES scheme, users of environmental services compensate or pay service providers for the opportunity costs and additional investment associated with good practices implemented to conserve biodiversity in deferred grazing areas and to sustainably use it outside these areas.

PES/ ABR Ecolabel System and Carbon Neutrality

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

Coupled with a system of PES, eco-labels can enhance the protection of agro-biodiversity in biosphere reserves, parks and agro-silvo-pastoral forest areas.

As for the Arganeraie Biosphere Reserve, a PES system is seen as a contractual arrangement to enhance the biodiversity conservation function within the Arganeraie (Reforestation, planting, seeding, conservation technique, balanced management, Agdal practice, soil and water conservation etc.).

PES consists of compensating ecosystem custodians for biodiversity conservation efforts on the one hand and rewarding carbon sequestration associated with ecosystem rehabilitation on the other.

Biodiversity conservation good practices and payment conditions are defined by the contracting parties in a voluntary PES contractual framework, usually associated to commercial contracts.

The impact of these regenerative good practices on carbon sequestration (3 t/ha/year) explains à priori the introduction of climate regulation criteria in the ABR ecolabel for products and services intended for export, especially since ABR acts as a carbon sink on a global scale.

III. OBJECTIVE

Ensuring the sustainable development of the Arganeraie Biosphere Reserve (ABR) through ecological certification coupled with a circular economy model based on payments for ecosystem services in line with Goal 12 of the United Nations 2015-2030 agenda on sustainable production and consumption.

IV. GUIDELINES a) Scope and application perimeter

This standard applies to producers, cooperatives, economic interest groups and companies handling food and or cosmetic products from the ABR. It also applies to companies and travel agencies working in the rural tourism. b) Eligibility

Eligible for the ABR ecolabel are entities that comply with the general and specific requirements provided for in the standard.

V. IMPLEMENTATION

a) Ecolabel management

The ABR Ecolabel is managed by a private/public ecolabel commission (EC) whose secretariat is devoted to the ABR EMA, founded in virtue of the Royal Decree No. 1-58-376 of 15 November 1958 (corresponding to 3 Joumada I 1378 Anno Hegirae) regulating the right of association, as amended and completed - Official Gazette n° 2404 bis of November 27, 1958.

ABR EMA provides documents related to this standard as well as the procedures manuals related thereto.

The ABR EMA shall also have the task of monitoring the evolution and changes in the content of the standard in compliance with the regulatory provisions provided for thereto.

Together with the ABR EMA, the EC comprising institution involved in the ABR management, decides jointly on applications for granting the ABR eco-label.

b) Certification procedure

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

The operator wishing to be granted the ABR Ecolabel must adhere to the ABR EMA and shall be familiar with the documents of the ABR Ecolabel standard.

The certification body approved by ABR EMA shall prepare an audit plan in line with the scope of the audit and in accordance with requirements stated in the present standard.

c) Certification Scheme

VI. STANDARD REQUIREMENTS

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

MINIMAL AND PRIORITY REQUIRMENTS

The innovative aspect of this label is that it requires as a condition a financial participation in a PES mechanism. Therefore, all sectors have to pay a part of their premium to finance at least the monitoring of the deferred grazing areas and the monitoring of Agdal according to the specifications detailed below. Such amount is annually fixed on the basis of market prices and production levels, and the parties formally commit themselves to implement a conservation plan through a contract between promoters and right holders.

All sectors must at least contribute to the financing of the monitoring of the Agdals (nuts, AMP/rangelands) and compliance with the methods of harvesting argan nuts and AMPs in the deferred grazing areas in order to be granted the label.

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

The ABR Ecolabel standard defines a system of continuous improvement over six years towards sustainability performance starting from the first year of verification.

In order to remain certified, operators have to demonstrate an increasingly higher degree of compliance with the continuous improvement criteria over time.

This system evaluates operators based on their performance in terms of good practice following a three-level scale: 'Good' (Level C) awarded in the first year to 'Best' (Level B) to be achieved after three years to 'Excellent ' (Level A) to be achieved after six years.

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

Priority good practices to be considered in PES per sector

Good Practices Honey AMP Arganeraie Goat

Areas of Conservation ( Deferred grazing) Ecosystem surveillance, Agdal compliance, harvesting methods and plans Seedlings and fences maintenance... Planting local AMPs Hive transhumance plan Maintenance of SWC works (benches in steeply sloping areas, dry stone walls and cords, etc.) Sustainable Agriculture Areas Respect of Agdal, tilling out of slopes, harvesting mode and grazing plan Domestication of AMP at least 3km away from the forest area No bee transhumance in areas of intensive agriculture and keeping away 3 km distance minimum. Water and energy efficient practices Prohibition of all forms of discrimination Extension areas (intensive agriculture and conditioning plants) Prohibition of all forms of discrimination and forced labor Ensuring freedom of union and equity rights Work health and safety plan Observing ecological balance and public health Water and energy efficient practices

Requirement level

TECHNICAL AND REGULATORY STANDARDS FOR ARGAN OIL

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

Requirement/Level Activities/Good practices Verification source

a) ABR EMA membership ABC Formal commitment to implement the ABR ecolabel b) Eco-label application form c) Promoter identification form

Commitments to implement a local conservation plan d) PES contract or other ABC through good practices defined according to EMA's Evidence of links to a PES management plan as follows:

A/ Production Conservation areas (deferred grazing) Surveillance and respect of deferred grazing and argan Deferred grazing areas and offence ABC nut harvesting practices logbook AB Ensuring seedling maintenance in case of hazards Planting success rates Ensure the maintenance of the fences of the deferred AB grazing areas in accordance with the agreement Protected deferred grazing area concluded with the DREFSO. Ensure SWC structures maintenance in case of hazards A in accordance with the agreement concluded with the Maintained area DREFSO. Sustainable Development Areas ABC Surveillance and compliance with harvesting practices Offences logbook ABC Surveillance of possible steeply sloping areas Offences logbook AB Ensure arganiculture maintenance Planting success rates AB Ensure maintenance of planted areas' fences Protected planted area A Water and energy efficient practices Water and energy efficiency plans B/ Packaging, conditioning and processing ABC Meet food and sanitary hygiene conditions ONSSA authorization Observe safety, hygiene and health conditions of ABC Proof of container/content compliance packaging ABC Be entitled to use the name of argan oil or proof of a link PGI certificate for argan oil or proof of of origin with ABR. traceability of link with ABR origin Sourcing from producers respecting ecological balance Certificate of organic farming or proof AB and public health of the following good practices : Implementing a soil fertility and weed flora management • Internal documentation system - fertility and soil management program component Implementing an integrated disease and pest • Internal documentation systems -

management program for Arganeraie plant protection component Compliance with legislation in force in terms of social law Commitment to Social Responsibility and Equity Fair Trade Certificate or implemented social policy or any evidence of good social equity practices: All forms of forced, compulsory or slaverylabor are prohibited, including through the use of blackmail, ABC indebtedness, threats, monetary fines or penalties Audit report pursuant to ILO Conventions No. 29 and No. 105, and workers shall be treated with respect and shall never be

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

Requirement/Level Activities/Good practices Verification source subjected to threats, intimidation, sexual abuse or verbal, physical or psychological violence.

All forms of discrimination in hiring, assignment, access to training, wages, career advancement and granting of ABC social benefits are prohibited, including gender based Audit report pay gap for the same value of work in accordance with ILO Conventions No. 100 and 111. Freedom of trade unions and collective bargaining as AB Audit report provided for in ILO conventions No. 87 and 98. All workers shall earn a minimum wage equal to the AB Employment contract guaranteed minimum wage. The worst forms of child labor are prohibited under ILO AB Audit report Convention No. 182. all workers' regular working hours must not exceed 48 hours per week with at least one full day-off every six AB successive worked days and a meal break every six worked hours A Operators must set up a work health and safety plan. Meet the minimum requirements in terms of the Minimum requirements in terms of ABC percentage of ingredients used in the products subject ingredients to labelling AB Energy efficiency Renewable energy plan underway A Committing to a sustainable waste management system Waste management plan underway The proponent must provide a traceability system Formalized and implemented ABC ensuring control and monitoring of materials and traceability procedure products throughout the value chain. The promoter must establish a mass balance of labelled ABC products and provide a conversion and performance Mass balance proof in case of product conversions C/ Distributors and merchants ABC Being Ecolabel-ABR Referenced ABR EMA Register In the event of selling a labelled product, the promoter ABC must clearly state in all relevant sales documents that it Invoices and delivery notes is an “ABR-Ecolabel” labelled product.

NB: The certification body must ensure that subcontractors comply with the requirements of the ABR- Ecolabel standard.

TECHNICAL AND REGULATORY STANDARDS FOR Souss HONEY

Requirement Specifications verification Source

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

Requirement Specifications verification Source

Formal commitment to the implementation of ABR Eco- a) ABR EMA membership ABC b) Eco-label application form label c) Promoter identification form

Commitment to set out a plan for conservation of argan e) PES contract or other PES ABC terroir declined in activities and good practices as defined related Evidence in the EMA management plan: A/ Production

Conservation areas

ABC Surveillance and respect of grazing deferred areas Offences Logbook

No hive transhumance in intense agriculture areas AB Hive transhumance plan (minimum 3 kms distance away)

AB Practice hive transhumance to ensure pollination Hive transhumance plan

B/ Packaging, conditioning and processing

ABC Respect of food and sanitary hygiene conditions ONSSA authorization

Observe safety, hygiene and health conditions of ABC Proof of container/content compliance packaging Compliance with the legislation in force in terms of social law Commitment to social responsibility and equity Fair Trade Certificate or Social Policy implemented or any evidence of good social equity practices All forms of forced, compulsory or slavery labor are prohibited, including through the use of blackmail, indebtedness, threats, monetary fines or penalties ABC pursuant to ILO Conventions No. 29 and No. 105, and Audit report workers shall be treated with respect and shall never be subjected to threats, intimidation, sexual abuse or verbal, physical or psychological violence. All forms of discrimination in hiring, assignment, access to training, wages, career advancement and granting of ABC social benefits are prohibited, including gender based pay Audit report gap for the same value of work in accordance with ILO Conventions No. 100 and 111. Freedom of trade unions and collective bargaining as AB Audit report provided for in ILO conventions No. 87 and 98. All workers shall earn a minimum wage equal to the AB Employment contract guaranteed minimum wage.

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

Requirement Specifications verification Source

AB The worst forms of child labor are prohibited under ILO Audit report Convention No. 182.

Workers' regular working hours must not exceed 48 hours A per week with at least one full day-off every six successive Audit report worked days and a meal break every six worked hours

A Operators must set up a work health and safety plan. Safety and hygiene plan

ABC Having access to the PGI logo PGI certification

BC Sourcing from bee keepers respecting ecological Certificate of organic bee keeping or balance and public health proof of the following good practices :

Internal documentation systems – Set out a bee colony hygienic practices program chemical management

Compliance with the legislation in force in terms of social law ABC Commitment to social and economic responsibility Fair Trade Certificate or Social Policy implemented or any evidence of good social equity practices The proponent must provide a traceability system ensuring Formalized and implemented ABC control and monitoring of materials and products traceability procedure throughout the value chain. The promoter must develop a mass balance of labelled Mass balance ABC products and provide a conversion and performance proof in case of product conversions C/ Distributors et merchants

ABC Being Ecolabel-ABR Reference ABR EMA Register

In the event of selling a labelled product, you must clearly ABC state in all relevant sales documents that it is an ABR Invoices and delivery notes Ecolabel-labelled product. NB: The certification body must ensure that subcontractors comply with the requirements of the ABR- Ecolabel standard.

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

TECHNICAL AND REGULATORY STANDARD FOR AROMATIC AND MEDICINAL PLANTS (AMP)

Requirement Specifications verification Source

d) ABR EMA membership ABC Formal commitment to the implementation of ABR Eco-label e) Eco-label application form f) Promoter identification form Commitment to set out conservation plan of the argan terroir f) PES contract or other PES ABC declined in activities and good practices as defined in the EMA related Evidence management plan:

A/ Production

Conservation areas Ecosystem surveillance and respect of agdal practices and ABC Offences Logbook spontaneous species harvest control AB Ensure seeding with local spontaneous plants Planted area

Sustainable development area

ABC Ecosystem surveillance and respect of agdal practices Offences Logbook

BC Monitoring and compliance with AMP harvesting practices Offences Logbook

BC Seeding with local AMP

A Ensure SWC works maintenance where necessary Maintained areas Domestication of AMP (ensure that non-local species are not A planted in the same fields as local ones and that the imported Domesticated area species are planted at least 3 km away from local species) Ensure maintenance of plantations and fences of domesticated A Plantations success rates AMPs Transition areas (modern agriculture)

ABC organic farming practice organic farming certificate

A Water and energy efficiency practices Water and energy efficiency practices

B/ Packaging, conditioning and processing

ABC Respect of food and sanitary hygiene conditions ONSSA authorization

ABC Observe safety, hygiene and health conditions of packaging Proof of container/content compliance

ABC Traceability of the link with the geographical origin of ABR Link traceability system Certificate of biological farming or proof of Respect ecological balance and public health the following good practices :

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

Requirement Specifications verification Source Internal documentation system - AB Soil fertility and weed flora management program fertilization and soil management component Implement an Integrated Pest and Disease Management Internal documentation systems - plant AB Program for AMP protection component Compliance with the legislation in force in terms of social law ABC Commitment to social responsibility and equity Fair Trade Certificate or Social Policy implemented or any evidence of good social equity practices All forms of forced, compulsory or slavery labor are prohibited, including through the use of blackmail, indebtedness, threats, monetary fines or penalties pursuant to ILO Conventions No. 29 ABC Audit report and No. 105, and workers shall be treated with respect and shall never be subjected to threats, intimidation, sexual abuse or verbal, physical or psychological violence. All forms of discrimination in hiring, assignment, access to training, wages, career advancement and granting of social ABC benefits are prohibited, including gender based pay gap for the Audit report same value of work in accordance with ILO Conventions No. 100 and 111. Freedom of trade unions and collective bargaining as provided AB Audit report for in ILO conventions No. 87 and 98. All workers shall earn a minimum wage equal to the guaranteed AB Employment contract minimum wage. The worst forms of child labor are prohibited under ILO Audit report AB Convention No. 182. all workers' regular working hours must not exceed 48 hours per A week with at least one full day-off every six successive worked days and a meal break every six worked hours A Operators must set up a work health and safety plan. The proponent must provide a traceability system ensuring Formalized and implemented traceability ABC control and monitoring of materials and products throughout the procedure value chain. The promoter must develop a mass balance of labelled products Mass balance ABC and provide a conversion and performance proof in case of product conversions C/ Distributors et merchants

ABC Being Ecolabel-ABR Reference ABR EMA Register In the event of selling a labelled product, you must clearly state ABC in all relevant sales documents that it is an ABR Ecolabel- Invoices and delivery notes labelled product. NB:

The certification body must ensure that subcontractors comply with the requirements of the ABR- Ecolabel standard.

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

Rare or very rare endemic species shall not be collected (see list below).

Exploitation of invasive species and OGMs must not be seeded

(*) List of rare or very rare endemic species in ABR

- Centaureatananica - Teucriumtananicum - Lavandulamaroccana - Lavanduladentata var. candicans - Adenocarpuscincinnatus - Adenocarpusartemisiifolius - Lotus maroccanus

** Good thyme harvesting practices according to the DREFSO - No harvesting on steep slopes with strong erosion - No uprooting of plants - No collection of rare or endangered endemic species - Leave 30% of the plants for regeneration - Cut off the top half of the clump and do not harvest all flowering stems to encourage seed and honey production. - Perform rejuvenation cutting on seeded plants at 10 cm from the ground with sharp pruning shears.

TECHNICAL AND REGULATORY STANDARD FOR GOAT MEAT

Requirement/level Specifications verification Source

Formal commitment to the implementation of ABR a) ABR EMA membership ABC Eco-label b) Eco-label application form c) Promoter identification form Commitment to set out a conservation plan of the ABC argan terroir declined in activities and good practices d) PES contract as defined in the EMA management plan:

A/ Production

Conservation areas

Deferred gazing area and offences ABC Surveillance and respect of deferred gazing logbook

Sustainable development areas

Surveillance and compliance with the agdal BC offences logbook rangelands, grazing load and rotation plan

Livestock must be identified and have spent at least a BC Identification system period of six months on the land.

A Ensure SWC works maintenance where necessary Maintained areas

B/ Packaging, conditioning and processing

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

Requirement/level Specifications verification Source

Traceability of the link with the geographical origin of ABC Herd register count system ABR

Sourcing from herd keepers that respect ecological Certificate of organic herd keeping or BC balance and public health proof of the following good practices :

Administration of the following chemicals is prohibited:

(a) Organochlorine substances BC (b) Growth hormones and anabolic steroids Processing schedule (c) Clenbuterol, Diethylstilbestrol (DES), Dimetridazole, Glycopeptide, Ipronidazole (d) Chloramphenicol, fluoroquinolone, Furazolidone; (e) Diclofenac and Aceclofenac. A Ensure herd's health care Herd health care plan

ABC Respect of food and sanitary hygiene conditions ONSSA authorization

Observe safety, hygiene and health conditions of ABC Proof of container/content compliance packaging Commitment to social responsibility and equity Social policy All forms of forced, compulsory or slavery labor are prohibited, including through the use of blackmail, indebtedness, threats, monetary fines or penalties ABC pursuant to ILO Conventions No. 29 and No. 105, Audit report and workers shall be treated with respect and shall never be subjected to threats, intimidation, sexual abuse or verbal, physical or psychological violence. All forms of discrimination in hiring, assignment, Audit report access to training, wages, career advancement and ABC granting of social benefits are prohibited, including gender based pay gap for the same value of work in accordance with ILO Conventions No. 100 and 111. Freedom of trade unions and collective bargaining as Audit report AB provided for in ILO conventions No. 87 and 98. All workers shall earn a minimum wage equal to the Employment contract AB guaranteed minimum wage. The worst forms of child labor are prohibited under Audit report AB ILO Convention No. 182. all workers' regular working hours must not exceed 48 hours per week with at least one full day-off every six A Audit report successive worked days and a meal break every six worked hours Operators must set up a work hygiene and safety A Audit report plan. The promoter must provide a traceability system Formalized and implemented ABC ensuring control and monitoring of materials and traceability procedure products throughout the value chain.

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

Requirement/level Specifications verification Source

The promoter must develop a mass balance of Mass balance ABC labelled products and provide a conversion and performance proof in case of product conversions C/ Distributors and merchants

ABC Being ABR Ecolabel Reference ABR EMA Register In the event of selling a labelled product, you must ABC clearly state in all relevant sales documents that it is Invoices and delivery notes an “ABR Ecolabel” labelled product. NB: The certification body must ensure that subcontractors comply with the requirements of the ABR- Ecolabel standard.

TECHNICAL AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR RESPONSIBLE TOURISM

Requirement/Level Specifications Verification Source

e) ABR EMA membership Formal commitment to the implementation of ABR ABC f) Eco-label application form Eco-label g) Promoter identification form

Authorization, approval to carry out the ABC Be approved by the competent authorities function/activity and/or classification

PES Contract (deferred grazing support Commitment to set out conservation plan of the priorities, agdal-nut rehabilitation, ABC argan terroir declined in activities and good practices AMP/rangelands) or other formal proofs of as defined in ABR EMA management plan: support to existing PES

Compliance with social responsibility and equity Social policy observing ethics and values of

legislation social and societal solidarity :

All forms of forced, compulsory or slavery labor are prohibited, including through the use of blackmail, indebtedness, threats, monetary fines or penalties ABC pursuant to ILO Conventions No. 29 and No. 105, Audit report and workers shall be treated with respect and shall never be subjected to threats, intimidation, sexual abuse or verbal, physical or psychological violence.

All forms of discrimination in hiring, assignment, Audit report access to training, wages, career advancement and ABC granting of social benefits are prohibited, including gender based pay gap for the same value of work in accordance with ILO Conventions No. 100 and 111.

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

Requirement/Level Specifications Verification Source

Freedom of trade unions and collective bargaining as Audit report AB provided for in ILO conventions No. 87 and 98.

All workers shall earn a minimum wage equal to the Employment contract AB guaranteed minimum wage.

The worst forms of child labor are prohibited under Audit report AB ILO Convention No. 182.

all workers' regular working hours must not exceed Audit report 48 hours per week with at least one full day-off every A six successive worked days and a meal break every six worked hours

Operators must set up a work hygiene and safety Audit report A plan.

A/ Accommodation / Catering

Claims' Register Implementation of a customer-oriented AB Satisfaction survey management system E-reputation

Be labeled quality charter (at least 2 fibulas), green Charter certificate RDTR, green key / natural AB key or approved natural Morocco or other Morocco or other recognized labels recognized labels

B/ Travel Agencies

Claims' Register Implementation of a customer-oriented AB Satisfaction survey management system E-reputation

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

PART II

OPERATIONAL GUIDE

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

1. STANDARD DOCUMENTS:

1. Rules and criteria documents (Diagram 1) a) ABR-Ecolabel standard (b) Standard operational Guide, (c) Audit protocol

2) Templates and forms (Diagram 2) (a) Identification sheet template for ecolabel promoter (b) Label application template (c) PES Contract Template (d) Validation report template of the application by the Advisory Committee (e) Audit report template (f) Certificate model (g) Approval contract template for certification bodies and other forms deemed necessary by e) ABR EMA

Diagram 1: Standard documents

ABR Ecolabel Standard

Rules and criteria Standard guide documents

Audit protocol

Diagram 2: Templates and forms

Ecolabel promoter descriptive sheet

Reporting of ABR commission on ex-ante assessment (validation) Templates and forms

Labeling audit report (verification)

Other forms

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

2. Roles and responsibilities 2.1. Ecolabel promoters

Promoters are the entities (cooperatives, companies or other professional groupings) that control and bear overall responsibility for PES systems in line with the standard. They are responsible for providing the documents referred to in Diagram 2.

Stakeholders conclude PES contracts and hold themselves accountable for the commitments made under the uses stated at the level of production basins eventually where promoters get their supplies.

2.2. Certification bodies (CB)

CBs are authorized to approve the PES System and check compliance of its implementation with the rules and criteria of the standard.

CBs must meet the relevant approval criteria defined in the standard and enter into the required agreement with the management authority before conducting any approval or verification. The list of approved CBs is available at the management authority office.

To be approved by the management authority, organizations should inform and sign the application template et send it to the management authority office with attached due documents (as laid out in the application).

2.3. Database Register

ABR EMA, devoted to run the management authority secretariat, is responsible for the maintaining its register database, which provides transparent, public and accessible information on ecolabel promoters. The ABR EMA database includes conservation plans registered to cover conservation needs (see Annex 1) and may also include details on certificates issued by other bodies, such as ONSSA for food safety, PGI managers, organic production and fair trade CBs, DREFSO for CMD conventions.

2.4. ABR EMA

The ABR EMA is fully supporting the EC in management, supervision and development of the ABR EMA standard. One of ABR EMA's roles involves overseeing and ensuring the integrity of the EPS systems and their compliance with its conservation plan. ABR EMA shall conduct periodic reviews of PES systems and oversees CBs operating under the ABR EMA standard. Should ABR EMA identify shortcomings in a CB's performance, it can intervene and require the CB to fix the noted shortcomings.

ABR EMA shall reserve the right not to list or register PES systems if it believes that they do not comply with the ABR EMA rules or may diminish the integrity of the ABR EMA standard. ABR EMA also reserves the right to take legal action against CBs in accordance with the provisions of the agreements concluded with ABR EMA.

2.5. ABR Ecolabel Commission

An ABR ecolabel commission is established to support the ABR EMA in the ABR Ecolabel management process. It provides strategic advice to ABR EMA regarding implementation of ABR EMA

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

standard and expresses its opinion on eco-label applications. It is part of the decision making process in a joint manner with the ABR EMA. As a member of the Board of Directors, this ABR EMA shall fairly represent the stakeholders in terms of access to the eco-label and impartiality while providing advice on social feasibility of promotion projects. The assembly meets every three months to examine applications and brings together representatives of the public administrations responsible for the ABR management.

An up-to-date list of members is available at the office of ABR EMA and includes: - A representative of ANDZOAT, President - A representative of the Department of Water and Forests, member -A representative of the DRA member -A representative of the ABR EMA member - Other members that the Assembly deems useful, members

3. PES SYSTEM This section covers the PES systems of the standard, including the list of PES systems, validation, registration and verification.

3.1. Listing

Registration of PES System Projects (see promoter's identification form)

Following the submission of the registration documents, ABR EMA invoices the promoters of the system for the registration fees, the rate of which is set by its Board of Directors.

Where ABR EMA believes that false or misleading information has been submitted on the PES system, ABR EMA shall seek clarification from the promoters and where the promoters cannot adequately justify the remarks made, ABR EMA reserves the right not to list or to remove a system from the database.

3.2. Application validation process The application validation process begins when the system sponsor joins the ABR EMA and submits the following items to ABR EMA’s Registry: 1. Application for ABR Ecolabel 2. Promoter identification form 3. PES contract or other evidence of links with PES

The ABR EMA shall ensure the submission of all required PES system documentation and shall review such documentation in order to launch the public consultation.

PES projects must be subject to a public consultation of at least one month at the level of the municipalities whose good practices would be implemented. PES projects are subject to verification by the certification body to ensure compliance with the intended good practices while respecting the right of ownership of the plots and benefiting the associations already involved in DREFSO’s compensation programs.

All remarks shall be reported in the minutes of the ABR ecolabel commission, which shall meet every three months upon its President's invitation.

The decision of the commission shall be sent to the promoter.

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

Upon receipt of remarks from the commission, promoters are required to acknowledge their receipt and must respond to suchremarks.

When a PES system is successfully validated, ABR EMA shall communicate a letter of eligibility to the promoter.

When the PES system documents are published in ABR EMA's database, its status is expected to change as follows: under validation, validated, under verification, verified.

3.3. ABR-Ecolabel application validation scheme

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

3.4. ABR EMA Standard Label

The ABR ecolabel is a permanent marker added to products and services that enables stakeholders, purchasers and consumers to more easily identify sustainably produced and consumed products in the ABR.

This label may only be used for products and services originating from packaging site units chosen by the promoter and verified following the rules and criteria of the ABR-Ecolabel standard.

The products and services bearing the ecolabel standard label must have been generated during the verification process. Therefore, the standard label only applies to products and services for which the storage period is entirely within the verification process.

3.4. Complaints and Appeals

Promoters and CBs shall at any time submit their clarification requests to the management authority In addition, the management authority provides a complaints and appeals procedure as defined in the management authority Appeals, Complaints and Behavior Policy, accessible in its offices.

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

PART III

AUDIT PROTOCOL

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

Introduction

Compliance of promoters and other operators (cooperative, company or other professional groupings) with the requirements of the ABR-Ecolabel standard and its adequacy for the delivery and subsequent renewal of the certification shall be assessed by an independent audit company, the certification body. This part details the processes to be followed by a promoter applicant for certification.

The table hereunder summarizes the steps to be followed by all operators seeking certification.

N° Step Content

• Self-evaluation of compliance with the requirements of the ABR Preparation of Ecolabel standard 1 operator’s audit • Selection of a certification body • Define audit scope (PES/product ranges)

• Check availability of information and relevant staff members during the audit. • Provide the application file elements to the Certification Body 2 Audit planning • Set the date of the audit and define its duration (the site must be in operation on the day of the audit) • Communication of the audit plan

• Opening meeting/ kick-off • Inspection of the production site • Documentary review (contracts...) Traceability test and mass balance 3 On-site audit • • Control of labelling process • Verification of supporting documents for PES system ; • Verification of production site inspection • Verification of the implementation of good conservation plan practices

Final verification of results by the auditor 5 Closing meeting • • Verification of audit results and confirmation of any non-compliance

• Corrective actions / corrective action plan for identified non-compliances carried out within 30 days depending on their nature Non-compliance The certification body shall examine the supporting evidence within 15 6 and corrective • days. actions • If the corrective action/corrective action plan is considered satisfactory, a certificate, audit report shall be issued within 30 days.

• Continuous application of the requirements of the ABR Ecolabel standard 7 Post audit • Use the ABR Ecolabel standard logo • Ongoing communication with the certification body • Schedule a date for a new audit prior to the due date of the new audit.

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

1. AUDIT PREPARATION 1.1 SELF-EVALUATION OF COMPLIANCE WITH STANDARD REQUIREMENTS

It is essential to assess the site following the current version of the ABR Ecolabel standard.

The standard should be read and understood, and a preliminary self-evaluation should be conducted by the promoter as part of the standard to prepare for the certification audit. Any aspects leading to non-compliance should be considered by the site.

An optional on-site pre-evaluation may be carried out by the selection Certification Body, in preparation for auditing, to advise the site on the certification process. However, it is worth noting that, in accordance with the rules for accredited certification, no advice shall be provided during a pre- evaluation carried out by the Certification Body in charge of the forthcoming certification audit.

1.2 SELECTION OF A CERTIFICATION BODY

Audits carried out under the ABR Ecolabel standard are only recognized when carried out by recognized certification bodies approved by the management authority.

CONTRACTUAL ARRANGEMENTS BETWEEN THE PROMOTER AND THE CERTIFICATION BODY

A contract shall be concluded between the promoter and the certification body defining the scope of the audit and the reporting requirements. The contract shall also provide for the effective management of the certification program. Such clauses are essential to build confidence in the way the program is consistently managed and implemented for the benefit of all certified sites.

1.3 SERVICE CHARGES

ABR EMA shall ask the certification body to deduct a service fee from the promoter for each completed audit. The certificate and audit report shall not be validated unless the certification body's service fee and audit fee are collected, regardless of the outcome of the certification process.

1.4 AUDIT SCOPE 1.4.1 Defining Audit Scope The audit scope (products/services and manufacturing processes) should be mutually agreed between the promoter and the Certification Body before carrying out the audit, to ensure the assignment of auditor(s) having the appropriate knowledge of the processes and products/services.

The audit shall cover all applicable requirements under the standard and all production processes carried out for the products included in the scope at the site wishing to be certified.

The scope of the audit should be clearly defined on the audit report and on any issued certificate. The wording of the audit scope shall be verified by the auditor during the on-site audit. The wording of the audit scope, product lines and, where applicable, packaging format, should allow the recipient of the report or certificate to clearly identify whether the supplied products have been included in the audit scope.

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

The scope of the certificate must clearly indicate which products are manufactured and which processes are undertaken on the site. Products purchased by a site for resale ("marketed products") or key outsourced processes shall be clearly identified in the certificate scope.

1.4.2 Additional manufacturing sites and registered office evaluation s The audit scope should be site-specific. However, outstanding circumstances where activities are carried out in multiple locations may be included in a single report and certificate. These include: - Auditing a registered office to assess the procedures controlled from the registered office; - Auditing more than one location when a single production process is carried out at two or more sites; - Auditing the concerned site for the implementation of good practices.

1.5 AUDITOR SELECTION

It is the promoter's responsibility to ensure that adequate and accurate information is provided to the Certification Body, detailing the products/services it manufactures and the process technologies used, in order to enable the Certification Body to select the right team of auditors with the required skills to carry out the audit. The auditors must be qualified to audit the product/service category subject to the audit.

The Certification Body, auditors and the site must be aware of the need to avoid any conflict of interest when assigning the auditor(s) to visit the site. The site may refuse the services of a given auditor nominated by the Certification Body. An auditor is not allowed to perform more than three consecutive audits on the same site.

Where an audit is not carried out by the auditor in the same language of the site staff, a qualified translator familiar with the technical terms used in the audit should be assigned.

2 AUDITS PROTOCOL 2.1 AUDIT PLANNING 2.1.1 Internal preparation by the operator

In the event of initial audits, the site should be operational, taking into account the workload required.

This site must be prepared for the audit, and the operator should prepare appropriate documentation enabling the auditor(s) to assess it and the concerned staff must be available at all times during the on-site audit.

The operator shall ensure that the intended production program at the time of the audit includes products within the intended scope of certification. Wherever possible, the widest possible range of such products should be in production for the auditor(s) to assess them.

2.1.2 Information to be provided to the Certification Body for audit preparation

The operator must provide general information to the certification body prior to the audit date, to ensure that the auditor(s) is/are fully prepared and to ensure an efficient and effective audit is carried out under optimum conditions. Information will be requested by the Certification Body and may include, but is not limited to:

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

- Operator’s history and structure: - The process flow diagram; - A simplified site plan; - Flowchart; - List of products/services included in the audit scope; - Description of PES system (PES Contract); - A description of the site structure.

When an audit is carried out by a new certification body, the plan must make the audit report and the certificate of the previous audit available to the certification body.

Submission of detailed pre-audit information in the format requested by the Certification Body may reduce the duration of the on-site audit and the time required for issuance of the final audit report, therefore sites are encouraged to respond to such requests without delay.

2.1.3 Audit duration

Before conducting the audit, the Certification Body must specify the anticipated duration of the audit, which depends on the size of the site and the process under audit.

2.2 ON-SITE AUDIT

The on-site audit consists of the following steps: o The opening meeting: it enables to confirm the audit's scope and process; o Production site inspection: it allows an examination of the practical implementation of systems, including observation of product change procedures, and staff interviews; o Documents review: this is a review of the quality management documents, ONSSA permit and waste management plan, PES contract ;etc… o Traceability test: this includes a review of all relevant production records (e.g., receipt of raw materials, production records, finished product verification and specifications); o Label review: this includes the evaluation of a sample of product labels against specifications and legislation (Proof of Content Container Compatibility); o Verification of the implementation of good conservation plan practices ; o Verification of the production site inspection: it allows the examination of documentation and the conduct of additional inspections; o Verification of PES supporting documentation; o Final verification of results by the auditor(s): this is the preparation for the closing meeting; o Closing meeting: it allows the presentation and review of the audit results with the site (please note that non-compliances are subject to subsequent independent verifications by the technical committee of the certification body).

It is intended that, at the opening and closing meetings, the attendees representing the site shall be the superiors with the Competent Authority to ensure that corrective actions can be implemented in the event of detection of non-compliances. The most senior site operations manager at the time of the audit or his deputy should be available during the audit and should attend the opening and closing meetings.

The audit process focuses on the practical implementation of the ABR Ecolabel requirements and best practice conservation plans.

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

During the audit process, detailed notes must be taken on the site's compliance and non-compliance with the standard. These notes shall form the basis of the audit report. Auditor(s) should assess the nature and seriousness of any non-compliance and should discuss this with the responsible staff accompanying them at that time.

At the closing meeting, auditor(s) should report their findings and summarize any identified non- compliances arising from the audit, but should not provide remarks as to the likely outcome of the certification process. Information should be provided on the process by which the site will provide the auditors with justification for corrective actions to resolve non-compliances as well as the corresponding timeline. A written summary of the non-compliances reported at the closing meeting shall be prepared by the auditor(s), either at the closing meeting or within one working day after the completion of the audit.

The certification decision will be decided independently by the management of the Certification Body, following a technical review of the audit report and the resolution of non-compliances within an appropriate deadline. Based on this review, the promoter will be informed of the certification decision.

2.3 NON-COMPLIANCES AND CORRECTIVE ACTIONS

The level of non-compliance identified by an auditor pursuant to a requirement of the standard is an objective judgment of severity and risk based on the evidence gathered and observations made during the audit. Compliance is reviewed by the management of the certification body.

2.3.1 Non-compliances

There is one level of identified non-compliances considered as major for each phase of improvement process. :

2.3.2 Non-compliance and Corrective Action Management Procedure

• Non-conformity requires a correction of the defect along with evidence of this correction in a 30 working day maximum deadline.

To receive certification, the promoter must satisfy 100% of the requirements, and must provide an action plan for non-compliances related to the requirements.

If no satisfactory evidence is provided within the 30 working day period allowed for such evidence following the audit, the certification will not be granted. The site will then have to apply for a full re- audit in order to be eligible for certification.

The certification body will review the action plan and objective evidence of the implementation of corrective actions before granting any certificate.

2.4 AUDIT CONFIRMATION

Confirmation of the completion of the audit must be available on the ABR ecolabel register within 10 working days following the audit. This shall include the date of the audit, the scope of the audit as well as the identified non-compliances.

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

2.5 AUDIT REPORT

Following each audit, a full written report must be drawn up in the prescribed format. The audit report should provide the establishment and clients, or potential clients, with a profile of the establishment and an accurate summary regarding the site's performance against the standard's requirements.

The report should accurately reflect the findings of the auditor's audit.

The audit report and related documents, including the auditor's notes, must be safely kept by the Certification Body for a 5 year period.

2.6 CERTIFICATION

Following the analysis of the audit report and the submitted supporting documents regarding the identified non-compliances, the designated independent certification officer must make a decision on the issuance of the certification. Where a certificate is granted, it must be issued by the Certification Body within 42 calendar days following the audit. The certificate must correspond to the format provided in the annex. Furthermore, the logos used in the certificates shall comply with their respective rules of use. Notwithstanding that the certificate is granted to the site, it remains the property of the certification body and the latter shall control its property, use and display.

2.7 Use of ABR Ecolabel logo:

It is prohibited to use the ABR Ecolabel logo in the event of loss of certification due to suspension or expiration.

The ABR Ecolabel may only be used on certified products and services.

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

2.8 Certification audit scheme

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

3 REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFICATIONBODIES

ABR Ecolabel standard is a certification program for products/services originating from a PES system in ABR territory. As part of such program, certification is granted to establishments whose audit is considered satisfactory by an auditor employed by an independent third party (certification body). The certification body must also have been assessed and found competent by an accreditation body in accordance with ISO/IEC 17021: Compliance evaluation - Requirements for bodies providing audit and certification of management systems and/or ISO/IEC 17065 on requirements for certification of products, processes and services.

The certification body must be approved by the management authority. The process and the application form for approval are stated in the "models and user manuals" section.

In order for an establishment to receive a valid certificate after completing a satisfactory audit, it must choose a certification body approved by the management authority. the latter shall define detailed requirements which a certification body must comply with in order to be approved by preparing a technical file with the following elements:

o Accreditation according to ISO/IEC 17021: Compliance evaluation - Requirements for bodies providing audit and certification of management systems and/or accreditation according to ISO/IEC 17065 on requirements for certification of products, processes and services. o List of human and technical means o List of certification auditors and their qualifications (CVs, Certificates, Diplomas...) o Evidence of the qualification of the auditors for the ABR ECOLABEL certification provided by the management authority.

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

ANNEX 1 :

ABR EMA Conservation Plan (2020-2024)

Activities’ Unit cost Good practices Area (ha) Necessary means nature (Dh/year)

Conservation areas 10 000

-Agdal of argan nuts Surveillance Amchardo Contract 36 000 - Harvesting method (argan, AMP) Surveillance - Plantation protection Surveillance - Seedling maintenance Practice - AMP Seeding Practice - Pollination Practice Hand labor 30 000

Sustainable areas

Amchardo Contract 36 000 - Agdal of argan nuts Surveillance - Harvesting method (argan, AMP) 40 000 Surveillance -Agdal rangelands Surveillance - Load of the herd Surveillance - Grazing rotation Surveillance

- Off-slope ploughing Surveillance - Maintenance of SWC works Hand labor 30 000 -Maintenance of eco-tourism and Practice heritage trails Practice

Total 50 000

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

ANNEX 2 :

Mapping of arganeraie production perimeters as identified by the ANDZOA

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

Table of Arganeraie production perimeters identified by the ANDZOA

Nut Dry fruit Production Argan area Provinces Area (ha) production production Perimeter (ha) (T/yr) (T/yr)

Smimou 63.358 28.511 17.106 Essaouira 241.384 Chiadma

Tmanar 56.185 35.958 21.575

Tamri 28.387 12.774 7.664 Agadir Ida 186.378 Outanane Agadir 36.128 14.451 8.670

Inezgane Ait 14.282 Ait Melloul 10.219 4.598 2.759 Melloul

OuladBerhil - 104.802 36.680 22.008 taliouine

Taroudant - Taroudant 531.033 67.980 28.552 17.131 Argana

OuladTaima _ 110.468 38.664 23.198 Igherm

Chtouka Ait 102.818 Ait Baha 83.806 33.522 20.113 Baha

Tafraout 21.367 8.120 4.872

Tiznit 147.216 Anzi 54.130 21.652 12.991

Tiznit 66.951 20.085 12.051

Ifni 67.597 18.927 11.356 Sidi Ifni 118.559 Lakhsas 30.369 10.629 6.377

Guelmim 32.040 Guelmim 27.340 7.629 4.577

Total 1.373.710 16 829.087 320.231 192.448

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

ANNEX 3 :

Indicative list of deferred grazing areas of interest for biodiversity conservation Province Zone Project Association Area (Ha) Agoundi for the preservation of the forest 550 Development of heritage Aoulouz BV of Aoulouz Union of Associations 300 and Shakoukene Tagant ait Mokkar Manbaa Al Khair 300

Imagnoune Ait Moussi for forest protection and 428 Restoring Argan OuledTeima development Ecosystems Argan and Environment 100

Taroudant Conservation Assads for sociocultural Taroudant 100 development Reconstitution of OuledTeima Tissi Ouattar Association 222 Arganeraie Aoulouz AL Inbiaate Association 100

Total Taroudant 2 100

Agadir Admine 275

Agadir Tagmat 200 Reconstitution of Tamri Indigenous Tirkza 100 Formations Agadir Talaint 300

Agadir Tamri IguiLbhar 555 Union of Associations of Agadir 302 Restoration of the Tanite DF burnt plot Tamri Timssal Association 782

Total Agadir 2 514 ABV upstream of CAB Tamejloujt 345 the YBT dam

Grand total - - - 4 959

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

PART IV

USE MODELS AND MANUALS

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

APPROVAL APPLICATION PROCESS AND FORM

APPROVAL REQUEST PROCESS

The main steps in the process of approving candidate certification bodies are as follows:

NO PHASES STEPS

1. Prepare the application for approval and submit it to the ABR EMA label management body.

2. Examination of the file's administrative admissibility

1 ANALYSIS 3. Issuing of the recognition contract (or approval agreement) which defines the respective obligations of ABR EMA and the candidate certification body.

4. Examination of the file's operational admissibility

5. Definition of the evaluation program and conduct of the on-site evaluation 2 EVALUATION by the team of assessors suggested by ABR EMA.

3 DECISION 6. Drafting of the evaluation report by the assessors and its review by an internal ABR EMA decision-making body.

7. Issuance of the ABR EMA's opinion by our decisional body

Favorable opinion: the candidate certification body is then notified of this decision by the president of the management authority, through issuance of a certificate specifying the scope and duration of the approval (i.e. 4 years 4 NOTIFICATION for an initial application and 5 years for a renewal).

Unfavorable opinion: approval is rejected; the file is then closed. The management authority may also issue a "conditional unfavorable opinion". In this case, approval is rejected, pending examination of the additional requested documents or conduct of an additional evaluation.

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

The applicant shall submit:

 An application for initial approval  A request for an extension of scope relating to approval No:

For the activity:

 Certification of agricultural production according to the ABR ECOLABEL standard  Certification of food products according to the ABR ECOLABEL standard  Certification of services according to the ABR ECOLABEL standard

* Tick the activity(ies) covered by the application

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

COMPOSITION OF THE APPROVAL APPLICATION FORM

USEFUL INFORMATION FOR COMPLETING AND SUBMITTING THE APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL

PART 1: APPLICANT'S INFORMATION

1.1. THE BODY CARRYING OUT ACTIVITIES SUBJECT TO THE APPLICATION 1.2. REPRESENTATIVE OF THE APPOINTED BODY FOR FURTHER CONTACTS WITH ABR EMA 1.3. BILLING INFORMATION

PART 2: SCOPE OF REQUESTED APPROVAL PART 3: APPLICANT'S COMMITMENT PART 4: LIST OF DOCUMENTS TO BE ATTACHED TO THE APPLICATION FOR APPROVAL

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

USEFUL INFORMATION FOR COMPLETING AND SUBMITTING APPROVAL APPLICATIONS

1. It is not allowed to change or delete any fields and texts in this form other than the fields to be filled in.

2. The completed application form is to be submitted to the management authority:

• On paper at the following address

And • In digital format (zip file) attached to an email

3. the management authority is entitled to stop the application process in the event of fraudulent behavior on the part of the applicant or if it is established that the applying body has intentionally concealed information or provided false information.

4. Receipt of the present form shall constitute an application for approval. The fees resulting from the examination of the application shall remain payable to the management authority regardless of the outcome of the examination of the application.

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

PART 1: APPLICANT'S INFORMATION

This part aims to:

- Identify the applicant, responsible for the activities submitted for approval - Gathering the necessary information for subsequent exchanges with the applicant - Gather the necessary information for invoicing the fees related to the approval process.

NB: For approval extension requests, fill in the sections and send the associated documents only in case of a modification concerning the previous information provided to the management authority.

1.1. The body carrying out the activities subject to the application

a) Body designation : b)

c) Address: d)

Legal status1 : e) Legal registration number2 : f) Accreditation No. g) Accreditation body h)

i) Website: j) Phone number : k) e-mail : This contact information will be included in the register of ABR EMA approved bodies.

1.2 Representative of the designated body for further contacts with the management authority

Title, Surname and First Name : l) Function : m) Address (if different from 1.1) : n)

Phone number :

E-mail :

1 Provide details of the legal form. E.g.: SA, SARL, Association, etc. 2 In general, this is the registration number in the Trade Register. 48

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

1.4 Billing information

Billing address

(if different from 1.1) :

Billing contact

(title FULL NAME):

Phone number: E-mail :

▪ Need for a prior Order Form? NON OUI

If yes, OF to be submitted to :

PART 2: SCOPE OF THE REQUESTED APPROVAL

This part aims to: - Express the approval scope, i.e., the activities for which the applicant wishes to be recognized as competent, - Confirm - if applicable - that the applicant is authorized to carry out the activities submitted for approval.

Tick and describe under the following headings the specific activities for which approval is requested:

Field of certification (specify the products or services Certification type concerned with the certification)

□ Food products

□Cosmetic products

□ Services

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

Part 3:Applicant commitment

Body

Registered name of the body

Represented by

Full name Function

- Declares that he/she is aware of the rights and obligations of the approved bodies and applicants for approval described in the approval contract; - Declares that he/she is aware of and accepts the applicable rules and fees concerning accreditation process; - Declares that he/she meets all the legal obligations to carry out the activities for which approval is requested; - Commits himself/herself to the authenticity of the documents attached to the present approval application file; - Commits himself/herself to inform the management authority of any changes to the information provided in this application for approval.

Date Seal and signature

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

Part 4: List of documents to be attached to approval application

NB: Attach the following documents to this application form

Administrative Component

Proof of registration and existence of the applying body

Technical component

Approval in accordance with ISO 1702 or ISO/CEI 17065

List of staff and competency criteria

List of individuals making the certification decision and their qualifications (CVs, Certificates, Diplomas...)

Evidence of the qualification of the auditors for the ABR ECOLABEL certification provided by the management authority

N.B: For approval extension requests, send the associated documents only in case of a modification concerning the previous information provided to ABR EMA.

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

ABR ECOLABEL REQUEST TEMPLATE

(to be issued on the applicant's letterhead)

TEMPLATE - APPLICATION FOR THE RIGHT TO USE ABR ECOLABEL

Mr. President of the management authority

Subject: Application for the right to use ABR Ecolabel

Mr. President,

I have the honor to transmit herewith the application file for granting the ABR Ecolabel by Unit ...... located at ...... for the following products/services:

- …………….... - …………….... - …………….…

Therefore, I hereby declare that I am aware of and accept the provisions of the ABR ecolabel standard and commit myself to comply with them for the entire period of use of this standard.

Respectfully yours.

Date, capacity and signature of the applicant's legal representative

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

PROMOTER IDENTIFICATION SHEET

This template is used for the promoter identification and description of PES projects using the ABR ecolabel standard.

PROMOTER CONTACT INFORMATION

Promoter Name, address, e-mail, phone number of the contact person

Certifications, (e.g., ONSSA, IGP, Bio, fair trade, CMD, etc.); agreements and owned labels

Forecasted validation Forecasted month of validation schedule

STATEMENTS SUMMARY

Table 1: Summary of assets declarations subject to labelling

Assets description (packaging units and types of products and services) Unit Quantity

VALORISATIONUNIT

AREA

PRODUCTIONS

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

PES SCHEME

Conservation plan (see PES contract)

Calendar of Events

Define the forecasted dates of the good practice activities I, the beginning and the end of each activity)

Forecasted completion Activities Forecasted start date date Conservation areas

-Agdal of argan nuts

- Harvesting method (argan, AMP)

- Plantation protection

- Seedling maintenance (irrigation …)

- Pollination

Sustainable areas

- Agdal of argan nuts

- Harvesting method (argan, AMP)

- Agdal rangelands

- Load of the herd

- Grazing rotation

- Off-slope ploughing

- AMP domestication

- Maintenance of SWC works

-Maintenance of eco-tourism and heritage trails

Promoter's partners (beneficiaries, associations)

Organization name

Field of activity

Contact person

Function

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

Address

Phone number

Standard situation

Provide a brief summary of annual production and/or service levels/.

Type of products and Unity Quantity services

Argan nuts

Honey

AMP

Red goat meat

Accommodation

sightseeing tours

Catering

PES scheme Present a global schema of the logical sequence of the PES system.

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

Assessing payment amounts for:

- Compensation for good regeneration practices associated with each product based on the costs of Annex 1

- Rewarding CO2 sequestration efforts associated with products intended for export based on ABR EMA defined rates.

Risks linked to the PES system

Identifying the potential natural and anthropogenic threats associated with the PES system regarding the sustainability of the supply chain and consumer safety and describing their mitigation needed measures.

Production associated risks Mitigation measures

- -

Consumer safety associated risks Mitigation measures

- -

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

- -

Project Management

PES contract

Provide the PES contract duly signed by the stakeholders whereby free, prior and informed consent has been reached from parties whose property rights shall be assigned by the PES system.

Ongoing conflicts or disputes

Indication of any ongoing or unresolved conflicts or disputes over rights to lands, territories and resources, and any resolved disputes over the past 20 years.

Ownership of the PES system

Providing, if applicable, evidence that the PES system promoter has the legal right to control and operate the planned activities (statutes, agreements, PIC).

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

PES CONTRACT TEMPLATE

CONTRACT OF PAYMENT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES IN THE ARGANERAIE

This contract is concluded on: ...-....-….

Between

(1) ...... , having his/her registered office at [...... ], hereinafter referred to as “Buyer” (2) ...... , having his/her registered office at ...... , hereinafter referred to as 'Seller”

Wherein:

A. The Seller agrees to implement and maintain good conservation practice measures and to assume his/her obligations hereof;

B. The Buyer agrees to pay the Seller and to comply with his/her obligations hereof;

It has been agreed as follows:

Article 1: Definitions:

- "Area Conservation Plan" refers to the good conservation practices listed in Annex 2 of the present Agreement;

- "Environmental Services" refers to the services described in Annex 2;

- "Dispute Settlement Committee" refers to the committee established for the settlement of potential disputes between the Contracting Parties;

- "Monitoring Requirements" means the monitoring requirements for the implementation of the good conservation practice measures detailed in Annex 2 ;

- "Payment" means the amounts set out in the Payment Schedule for the implementation of the good conservation practice measures;

- "Payment Schedule" means the payment schedule set out in Annex 3;

- "Seller's Land" means all areas owned by the beneficiaries or over which the beneficiaries possess enough control for the purposes of the present Contract, the limits of which are set out in Annex 1 ;

Article 2: Seller's obligations

The Seller commits himself/herself to implement, as defined in Annex 1, measures of good conservation practices in the territory in line with the Conservation Plan for the area referred to in Annex 2.

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

Article 3: Buyer's obligations

The Buyer hereby accepts:

To make payment to the Seller in accordance with the Payment Schedule and subject to The Terms of Article 4 ("Terms of Payment").

Article 4: Terms of payment a) Payment shall be made by Buyer to Seller in accordance with the Payment Schedule (" Annex 3 ") and on a pro rata basis for Seller's Lands on which Good Conservation Practice measures are implemented and maintained. b) Subject to any payment due, after execution of the present Contract, in accordance with the Payment Schedule, payment shall be made by Buyer to Seller after Buyer or his/her authorized representative has verified compliance with the implementation and maintenance of the good conservation practice measures in accordance with the Monitoring Conditions and to its reasonable satisfaction and in accordance with Article 5 ("Verification").

Article 5: Verification a) Audits will be conducted in accordance with the ABR ecolabel standard audit protocol as follows:

1.1.1. [verification time 1; …...... ]

1.1.2. [verification time 2; ...... ] b) The Seller or his/her authorized representative shall accompany the Purchaser or an authorized representative of the Purchaser in order to verify the implementation and maintenance of good conservation practices in accordance with the terms of the present Contract. c) Reasonable costs of verification and payment management shall be borne by the Buyer, who shall set up a structure dedicated to verification and payments.

Article 6: Seller's warranties

The Seller warrants to the Buyer through ABR Ecolabel certification that the statements in Annex 2 are true and correct and shall notify the Buyer when such statements cease to be true and correct.

He/She also guarantees that the agreements for the provision of ecosystem services are negotiated with the inclusive participation, without any constraint, of the beneficiaries, in particular with regard to the issues of waiver of use rights and the corresponding compensation.

Article 7: Dispute Resolution

In the event of a dispute between the Buyer and the Seller as to the terms of the present Agreement, such dispute shall be referred to arbitration by the Dispute Resolution Committee, the decision of which shall be binding on both the Buyer and the Seller.

Article 8: Duration a) The present Agreement covers a one-year period, as of the date of its signature by both Parties. b) Subject to voluntary and simultaneous wishes of the Buyer and the Seller, such agreement shall be renewed for a 5 (five) year mutually agreed period for the continuous implementation and maintenance 59

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

of good conservation practices against payment for which the amount shall be negotiated between the Buyer and the Seller. c) In the event that either the Buyer or the Seller wishes to terminate the present Agreement prior to its expiration, the Party wishing to terminate the present Agreement shall notify the other Party and the termination shall be effected as follows :

1. If termination is requested by the Seller, then the Buyer shall be exempt from any subsequent payment.

2. If termination is requested by the Buyer, then He/She shall pay the present value of all future payments at the time of termination.

Article 9: Variation

No amendment to the present Agreement shall be effective unless made in writing and signed by or on behalf of the Buyer and the Seller.

Article 10: Force majeure

a) Neither the Buyer nor the Seller shall be liable for any failure to perform its obligations when such failure results from acts of nature (including fire, flood, earthquake, storm, hurricane or other natural disaster), acts of hostilities, confiscation, acts of sabotage, government sanction, blockage, strike, interruption or failure of irrigation water or electricity for pumping irrigation water. b) It shall be the responsibility of the Buyer or the Seller who claims force majeure as an excuse to prove that reasonable steps have been taken (in the circumstances) to minimize delays or damage caused by predictable events, that all obligations not excused have been substantially fulfilled, and that the other party has been given due notice of the likelihood or reality of the event that would justify such a claim, so that other reasonable precautions may be considered.

In witness whereof the present contract has been duly signed.

Buyer's Authorized Signatories Seller’s Authorized Signatories

Date : Date :

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

Annex 1: Vendor's land and its location

The AMP below illustrates the concerned plots, the areas to be developed and their geographical location.

[AMP]

Annex 2: Arganeraie Conservation Plan (Production basin of ...... )

Environmental Services Good practices Period Areas Means Annual cost (DH))

Improved protection of - Argan nuts Agdal April-August ……… AmchardoContract ………… deferred grazing areas and maintenance of - Harvesting method August– (argan) October regeneration parcels - Plantation Year round protection Hand labor ……….. Year round - seedlings maintenance

……..

Improvement of - Argan nuts Agdal Jan-March productivity in sustainable areas - Harvesting method (argan) through arganiculture Year round - Off-slope ploughing

- Maintenance of CES works

……….

Annex 3: Payment Schedule

Date DH / ha

First payment …. monthafter signature of the contract ………..

Second payment …. month after signature of the contract ………..

Third payment …. monthafter signature of the contract

Fourth payment …. monthafter signature of the contract

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

MINUTES TEMPLATE OF APPLICATION VALIDATION

Organ : ABR Ecolabel commission Objet : Processing of the ABR Ecolabel application submitted by the unit ……………. Located at ……………..…,Phone number : ………………, Email………….……. Date :

AVIS EMARGEMENT

ANDZOA representative, President:

- …………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………….

DREFSO representative:

- …………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………….

DRA representative:

- …………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………….

ABR EMA representative:

- …………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………….

LINE MINISTRY :

- …………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………….

Others :

- …………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………

FINAL DECISION

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

The consultative committee deems favorable (or unfavorable) due to:

- ………………………………………………………………………………………………. - ………………………………………………………………………………………………. - ………………………………………………………………………………………………. - ………………………………………………………………………………………………

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

CERTIFICATION AUDIT REPORT TEMPLATE

Object Audit report with respect to ABR Ecolabel standard

Prepared by ……………………………..

Approvedby ……………………………..

In favor of ………………………………

System evaluation with respect to the requirements of ABR-Ecolabel But Standard

Audit Perimeter ……………………………….………………………………...

Field subject to audit ………………………………………………………………....

Audit date ………………………………..

Audit manager ………………………………..

Auditor ………………………………..

- ……………………………….. Audited - ……………………………….. - ………………………………..

Audit Standard ABR-Ecolabel Standard

I. Strengths

• …………………………………………………………………… • ……………………………………………………………………. • ……………………………………………………………………. • ……………………………………………………………………. • ……………………………………………………………………. • ……………………………………………………………………. • …………………………………………………………………….

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

II. Improvement recommendations

III. Audit findings

Identif Terms Requirements Evaluation Remarks

IV. Conclusion

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ………………………………………………………………

APPROVAL CONTRACT TEMPLATE

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

ABR-ECOLABEL APPROVAL CONTRACT

Between

The management authority

On the one hand

And

Certification Body X

On the other hand

The present contract is established as part of the accreditation process of certification bodies in accordance with the ABR Ecolabel standard.

OBLIGATIONS OF THE CERTIFICATIONBODY

1. The certification body is approved by management authority following the examination of the approval application file.

2. The certification body commits itself to keep absolutely confidential all the information to which it has access during the audit.

3. The below listed provisions are binding in their updated version and shall apply for the award of the ABR Ecolabel.

a. ABR Ecolabel standard

b. ABR Ecolabel standard operational Guide

c. Templates and user manuals.

d. Audit protocol

4. the management authority commits itself to communicate to the certification body all the adopted provisions in accordance with article 3 as well as any possible corrections. The certification body commits itself to comply with these provisions in their up-to-date form, to accept any corrections and to immediately apply them.

5. The certification body shall ensure the appropriate and professional conduct of the audit and certification in accordance with the applicable guidelines of the ABR Ecolabel Standard.

6. The certification body shall provide the management authority with the list of eligible auditors for ABR Ecolabel certification and shall notify him of any changes.

7. The certification body commits itself to pay approval annual subscription for the management authority.

8. The certification body must obligatorily inform ABR EMA of any change that may affect the performance of the audit and certification process.

9. At the request of the management authority, the certification body must make the certification files available to ABR EMA within 5 days.

10. The management authority has the right to audit the certification body at any time deemed appropriate.

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

11. The certification body must appoint a contact person to liaise with the management authority and commits itself to inform it of any changes.

12. For each certification audit the certification body must pay an amount previously fixed by the management authority

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATION OBLIGATIONS

13. the management authority shall mention the certification body in the list of approved certification bodies for conducting audits in accordance with the ABR-Ecolabel standard on its website, as soon as all the conditions are met by the certification body.

14. the management authority provides the certification body with a Computerized Data Processing Program designed for the management of promoters' data, audits, audit reports, processing of non-compliances and certificates. The fees associated with this program are included in the ABR- Ecolabel registration fees.

CONTRACT'S VALIDITY

15. The present contract c enters into force upon its signature by both parties. The present contract can be terminated by either party with 6 months' notice and shall expire at the end of the calendar year. the management authority is responsible for determining the procedure to be followed for valid certificates at the time of termination of the contract.

16. the management authority reserves the right to impose sanctions in the event of failure to co- operate and/or to comply with the instructions. Such sanctions may reach up to the immediate termination of the cooperation. the management authority must first issue a written warning to the certification body.

APPLICABLE LAW AND COMPETENT COURTS

17. 17. The parties acknowledge the Program Management as the "internal" arbitration body for any dispute arising in connection with certification.

18. The parties shall endeavor to amicably settle any disputes that may arise with respect to the interpretation or performance of the present Agreement. Should they fail to do so, the parties shall refer their disputes to the competent courts.

Made in duplicate in Agadir,

<< ABR EMA: Certification body:

ABR-ECOLABEL STANDARD

ABR-ECOLABEL CERTIFICATE TEMPLATE