Parties
This Certification Agreement ("Agreement") is entered into between:
Certification Body: [Legal name], an ISO/IEC 17065 accredited certification body ("CB").
Operator: [Legal name], [Address], operating the agricultural operation described in the application ("Operator").
1 Scheme ownership and roles
The Approved Regenerating scheme is owned and maintained by AgriPurpose Foundation (scheme owner / standard setter). AgriPurpose AG is the operational entity under licence from the scheme owner: it runs the programme and the data platform, performs the calculations and the annual validation, and coordinates the implementation with consultants, soil samplers, soil laboratories and Certification Bodies, who work at arm's length, and does not make certification decisions. The CB performs certification in accordance with ISO/IEC 17065 and the scheme rules.
2 Scope
This Agreement governs the certification audit, certification decision, issuance, surveillance, suspension/withdrawal, and the Operator's obligations for maintaining certification under the Approved Regenerating scheme.
3 Operator obligations
Provide accurate and complete information and grant access to sites, records, and personnel necessary for auditing.
Accept an audit when selected under the sampling rules of the Certification Regulations (section 7.4.1), and in any case at least once within the first five years in the programme.
Maintain and upload records supporting claims and performance data submitted via the platform. The data shall at least contain: Yields (plant and animal), fuel consumption (litres), energy use (kWh), nutrient application (kg NPK), water use (m³), crop‑protection expenditure (€) and livestock numbers. Yields sold, stock yields and associated receipts must be entered accurately; yield quality metrics must be recorded in the portal. Input products such as fuel and fertiliser must be recorded with receipts and stock balances; plausible quantities are verified against bookkeeping records. Crop‑protection inputs must be registered at their initial purchase price and stocks can be deducted. Animals and age groups must be registered correctly.
Implement corrective actions for nonconformities within timelines set by the CB.
Comply with soil sampling rules and maintain laboratory evidence.
Pay annual CB fee to AgriPurpose or affiliated company
Comply with all local laws, particularly in the areas of land ownership and land lease, environmental regulations, water rights, as well as regulations for animal welfare, seed patents and biotechnology, regulations for agricultural work and workers safety. In addition, compliance with food safety regulations and label programs.
4 Soil sampling requirements (normative)
The Operator shall comply with the SOC Sampling Protocol and the Soil Sampling Coverage Rule (Annex B1). In particular: Sampling shall be performed as per the AgriPurpose Precision Sampling algorithm or another registered and approved sampling scheme. Any sampling must be in accordance with carbon market regulations as set by VERRA, GoldStandard or a similar body.
Minimum per sampled field: at least 3 soil samples (PSLs) in each sampled field.
Minimum annual coverage (until first full coverage): at least 25% of eligible fields per year until each eligible field has been sampled at least once.
Cap rule: (1a) not more intensive than 1 soil sample per 3 ha on average across the operation (ha/sample >= 3); or (1b) if the planned sampling would result in ha/sample < 3, limit sampling to one third of fields overall, documented by the CB.
5 Audit and certification decision
The CB audits the programme annually, including the validation by AgriPurpose AG, audits farms selected under the Certification Regulations (section 7.4.1), evaluates evidence, and makes an independent certification decision.
The CB may conduct announced or unannounced audits in line with the scheme rules and risk assessment.
Certificates are issued only by the CB and remain property of the CB.
Proof of scheme payment
6 Nonconformities, suspension and withdrawal
Nonconformities are classified and managed according to CB procedures and scheme rules.
The CB may suspend or withdraw certification for unresolved nonconformities, misuse of the label, or material misrepresentation.
If an audit identifies discrepancies or non‑compliance, AgriPurpose may request additional documentation or corrective actions. AgriPurpose may also recommend consulting with a certified Approved Regenerating consultant to establish an action plan. Failure to provide evidence of corrective action within a reasonable timeframe may result in suspension or termination of the Farmer’s Approved Regenerating status.
7 Use of the label and claims
The Operator may use the Approved Regenerating label only while certified and only as allowed under the Logo Use Guideline as well as if the operator is registered in the AgriPurpose online certificate database. Misuse may result in suspension or withdrawal and additional legal remedies.
8 Complaints and appeals
Complaints and appeals are submitted in writing to the CB. The CB maintains an impartial appeals process consistent with ISO/IEC 17065.
9 Fees and payment
Certification fees are determined by the CB and agreed with the Operator. Platform fees are part of this certification agreement and contracted separately with AgriPurpose AG. Nonpayment of fees will result in immediate suspension of any label use or claims and lead to immediate delisting from the program.
10 Data and confidentiality
The CB treats Operator information as confidential except where disclosure is required by law or accreditation rules. The Operator consents to sharing relevant certification data and status information with the scheme owner for scheme oversight and registry purposes. With this agreement the applicant consents that AgriPurpose has the right to get access to the audit report at any time. AgriPurpose will collect, store and analyse farm data to provide the Farmer with tailored recommendations and to verify regenerative progress. The data may also be used internally by AgriPurpose and its research partners for product improvement, aggregated statistics and scientific research. Data will be treated confidentially and aggregated or anonymized when used for research and reporting. In case any data is used for any commercial product apart from the improvement of the AgriPurpose Farmer Services, the farmer will be informed about the opportunity and can decide if they want to share the data. This will be developed into the Farmer data wallet in the AgriPurpose interface.
11 Term and termination
This Agreement enters into force upon signature and remains valid for the duration of the certification cycle unless terminated by the CB or the Operator in accordance with CB procedures. Termination does not prevent the CB from withdrawing certification where justified.
Signatures
Certification Body: ________________________ Date: ____________
Operator: ________________________________ Date: ____________