Minimum of 10 farmers can form a group and apply for certification abiding by the as per the general guiding principles of PGS-India involving peer appraisal and decision making by group.

On-farm processing and handling by the PGS local group shall form integral part of PGS-India groups and shall be covered as per the general guiding principles of PGS-India involving peer appraisal and decision making by group.

Off-farm processing and handling in stand-alone facilities away from PGS-groups can also be certified by adopting “Conformity assessment and verification” criteria similar to third party certification systems and individual units will be approved for PGS-India organic processing and handling.

For Local Group – Four group meetings, at least two in each season. Two training, any time during the year. First training within 6 months of registration. Peer appraisal to be done during crop growth period starting from 20 days of sowing till 20 days before harvest. Uploading of peer appraisal summary sheet till 7 days before harvest date. Uploading of actual yields within 60 days of harvest. If no TCs are issued and stock remains unsold the PGS-India website will delete the stock in auto mode after 12 months from the date of harvest.

LG need to maintain following documents for verification by RC: Application form of each member with last one year’s farm history ii. Copy of PGS-India pledge of each member iii. Copy of agreement with RC iv. Copy of individual peer appraisal sheets for last four seasons (24 months) till the physical inspection by RC . Attendance and proceeding register for group meetings vi. Attendance registers for trainings vii. Copy of peer appraisal summary sheet (season-wise as submitted to RC.

The scope certificate issued by the Regional Council will have a unique number, identifying the RC and Local Group along with the farmers along with will also list out the area, crops and products certified during the year as Annexure. The Scope certificates can be used for publicity, trade enquiry or for putting into trade literature and also can use the granted PGS logo.

The packets or containers of PGS certified products along can be printed with PGS logo with UID code. Two separate logos shall be granted for PGS organic and PGS under conversion as follows: PGS Green and PGS Organic.

The Products granted with PGS-Organic certification shall use PGS-India organic logo. Products under in-conversion to organic and granted with PGS-Green certification shall use PGS-Green logo. Such products shall not be claimed as organic and only the indication “Under Conversion to Organic” can be used. Logo of the Government programme (such as PKVY, BPKP and Namami Gange etc.) may also be indicated on the label. Logo of the Regional Council, certifying the product shall also be affixed on the product.