MADISON, Wis. – Leonardo Academy Inc, The Sustainability Experts®, announced today that they signed an agreement with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to accredit certifiers (Certification Bodies/CBs) for ANSI/LEO-4000, the American National Standard for Sustainable Agriculture. ANSI has launched a Pilot Accreditation Program for certifiers and is accepting applications for this pilot from January 12 through March 10, 2017.
“We are extremely happy to have ANSI come on board to accredit certifiers for the ANSI/LEO-4000 American National Standard for Sustainable Agriculture,” said Michael Arny, president of Leonardo Academy. “Having the professional oversight of ANSI accreditation will assure the quality and credibility of certification under this standard.”
How to Participate
Certification Bodies should contact ANSI following the directions included in the ANSI press release. Farmers and producers interested in earning certification under ANSI/LEO-4000 can contribute to the pilot program by asking their current certifiers to participate, or by requesting that Leonardo Academy match them with a certifier to work with. All levels of the supply chain (including everyday consumers) can support the accreditation pilot by asking their suppliers and retailers to provide food and textile products certified under ANSI/LEO-4000.
ANSI/LEO-4000 is a comprehensive standard that producers can implement on a standalone basis or as an addition to other certifications. Leonardo Academy is currently developing a guide for adding ANIS/LEO-4000 certification to USDA National Organic Program certification.
About the ANSI/LEO-4000 Standard
ANSI/LEO-4000 is a highly comprehensive sustainable agriculture standard, measuring sustainability based on achievements in environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and economic prosperity.
The standard empowers all levels of the supply chain to increase the sustainability of agricultural production through clear benchmarking and branding.
ANSI/LEO-4000 provides buyers and sellers with reliable benchmarking through four levels of certification (bronze through platinum), a structure that provides a practical “on ramp” for new users and encourages continuous improvement.
Eligible users of this standard include producers, investors, processors, manufacturers, distributors, food service providers, retailers, and everyday consumers.
This standard currently addresses both food and nonfood (like textiles) crops and will be expanded to address animal production in the future. It was developed by Leonardo Academy, an ANSI-accredited standards developer, using the ANSI process and has been approved by ANSI as an American National Standard.
About Leonardo Academy
Leonardo Academy is a nonprofit organization dedicated to leveraging the competitive market to improve the environment and advance sustainability. By utilizing an interdisciplinary approach to sustainability strategies, education, and implementation, the organization strives to make sustainability practical for everyone.
Leonardo Academy played a major role in the development and implementation of U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED for Existing Buildings rating system and has been an ANSI-accredited standards developer since 2006.
Source: Leonardo Academy
