Concerta takes over running of Portugal's olive oil sustainability certification scheme

Olivum, the association of Portuguese olive growers and mills, has signed an agreement handing day-to-day management of the Olive Oil Sustainability Programme (PSA) to the consultancy Concerta. Concerta will handle operations, administration, finance and communication, including applications, support for businesses and liaison with certification bodies. Olivum keeps ownership of the programme and its standard, and sets its strategic direction. Developed with the University of Évora, the PSA is billed as the world's first sustainability certification for olive oil, with 108 criteria. Six certifiers are approved and three entities already hold certified product. The aim is to widen uptake among growers, mills and packers.