Option 2 certification allows a group of producers to certify under one certificate managed by a central quality management system. For Kenyan French bean, avocado, herb and passion fruit groups, it is often the only affordable route to formal export markets.
It also concentrates risk: one weak member can sanction the entire group.
Who does what in the group
- Group manager: owns the QMS and the certificate
- Internal inspectors: inspect every member every year
- Internal auditor: audits the QMS itself, independent of inspections
- Members: keep field records and follow the group procedures
The documents an auditor will request first
Auditors sample the system before the farms. Prepare the QMS manual, the member register with parcel details, internal inspection reports, the internal audit report, the sanction register and the training records.
Internal inspection is where groups fail
Inspections that are completed in the office, or all signed on the same date, are immediately visible. Space inspections across the season, photograph evidence, and record real findings — a group with zero findings looks less credible, not more.
Sanctions must be applied, not just written
The sanction procedure — warning, suspension, cancellation — has to show live examples. Keep evidence of how a suspended member was reinstated after closing findings.
Budget for training every season
Membership changes constantly. Annual refresher training on hygiene, safe pesticide use and record keeping keeps the group audit-ready and protects the certificate.