The Ecocert Group, a global player in organic product certification, is strengthening its position in Europe through its integration of Certisys. Ecocert is thus pursuing its strategy of external growth through the acquisition of longstanding, independent certification bodies committed to organic agriculture.
This move will enable Certisys to consolidate its position as the leading body for organic certification in Belgium and accelerate its development in the Benelux region. Certisys will expand its range of services by deploying the Ecocert Group’s unique catalog of environmental and sustainable services and certifications.
Ecocert and Certisys are both pioneers of organic certification, becoming the leaders in their respective markets of France and Belgium. Since their beginnings, each has shared the same vision of organic agriculture.
Part of the Belgian organic movement in the 1980s, Blaise Hommelen took part in setting up the Ecocert Group and started his own company in 1991. Thanks to his dedication, Certisys has grown to become a local and international leader in organic certification. It now has over 3,200 clients.
The Ecocert Group is deeply committed to environmental protection and social responsibility. Since 1991, it has been putting forward solutions to promote best environmental and social practices in various sectors (agri-food, cosmetics, textiles, etc.). It offers high-quality services, adapted to each country, through international subsidiaries with a local presence. The Ecocert certification brand is recognized worldwide by consumers for choosing demanding standards and for the quality of its guarantees.
“After 40 years of commitment to organic agriculture, we want to accelerate the development of our activities,” says Certisys founder Blaise Hommelen. “Joining the Ecocert Group, whose values we share, is a fantastic opportunity to enhance our international presence and reinforce our expertise to fulfill our vocation as an organic certification body. We are delighted to be able to offer our clients access to Ecocert services, meaning they are able to access new markets.”
“The arrival of Certisys in the Ecocert Group is excellent news,” says Ecocert CEO Philippe Thomazo. “Our companies are very close, and the Ecocert Group’s company purpose — ‘Act for a sustainable world’ — is enhanced by this operation. We are very excited about welcoming the Certisys teams on board and deploying all our services in the Benelux region.”
Thomazo, who is also the new director of Certisys, appointed Franck Brasseur to run the company as general manager. Brasseur joined the senior management team in 2018 and will be accompanied by Hommelen for a transition period lasting a few months. Within the Ecocert Group, Certisys is joining the France, UK & Benelux region, managed by Thierry Stoedzel.
About Certisys
Active since 1980, Certisys is the pioneer of organic certification in Belgium. Its expertise and its commitment to the organic sector have made it a leading body for inspections and certification in this area. With its strong local presence and almost 50 employees, Certisys supports the development of organic activities in Belgium and internationally. Certisys certifies official organic farming systems as well as private specifications such as Biogarantie and Ecogarantie. It also offers access to international markets such as the U.S., Japan, Switzerland and more. To find out more, visit www.certisys.eu
About Ecocert Group
With 30 years of experience in developing organic agriculture in France and all over the world, the Ecocert Group supports organizations in the implementation and promotion of sustainable practices through training, consulting and the certification of widely recognized and demanding environmental and social standards. A key player in organic certification worldwide, the Group operates in over 130 countries through an international network of 31 subsidiaries and over 1,700 employees. To find out more, visit www.ecocert.com.