Farmers can now improve their overall performance and financial results, as well as increase customer confidence and satisfaction, with a new ISO standard for implementing an ISO 9001 quality management system (QMS) for crop production.

The new standard, ISO 22006:2009, Quality management systems - Guidelines, for the application of ISO 9001:2008 to crop production, can be used with farm operations of any size, growing all types of food, feed and non-food crops.

ISO 22006:2009 provides step-by-step guidance through the requirements of ISO 9001:2008, with a practical approach to crop operations. The standard provides pertinent subject-specific tips and suggestions, and uses agricultural terminology. Among its features is a user-friendly flow diagram listing all the farm operation activities to help determine how they fit together and where there is need for improvement.

Mark Ames, project leader, said: “ISO 22006 takes a recognised generic management solution and turns it into a down-to-earth tool that farmers can link to their particular needs.”

Richard Cantrill, convenor of the working group that developed the standard (ISO/TC 34/WG 12), said: “The standard will give farmers a powerful advantage. Although the application of a QMS can take some initial added effort, overall, this is built from existing activities and should not cause excessive paperwork or lack of flexibility. On the other hand, a solid QMS can bring important net benefits, not only to farmers, but to their clients and customers.”

ISO 22006:2009 highlights the eight quality management principles that provide a basis for ISO 9001:2008 and relates them to crop production: customer focus, leadership, involvement of people, process approach, system approach to management, continual improvement, factual approach to decision-making and mutually beneficial supplier relationships.

ISO 22006:2009 does not add or change any of the requirements in ISO 9001:2008 and is not intended for certification, although it can be a useful tool in helping prepare for certification to ISO 9001:2008.