PRIVATE-SHARED CERTIFICATES: QUALITY ASSURANCES AT LOWER COST FOR THE RETAILERS IN RESPONSE TO REGULATION

This paper focuses on the role of private-shared certificates in the fresh food industry.
For this purpose two main goals will be considered; a typology of certificates across this industry, and then the role of private-collective certificates will be assessed.
This typology addresses two main issues; certificates are an expression of property rights, and the goals to be reached through certificates are dissimilar.
The second objective of this paper is to examine three determinants that explain the emergence of private-shared certificates: “regulation” where national institutions delegate responsibility to the actors; industry reputation; and costs.
Finally, we conclude that this kind of certificate provides guarantees to European retailers.
In addition, it facilitates trade relations among foreigner producers and conversely, it creates trade barriers as most producers in the developing countries are unable to enforce the requirements for these certificates.

I International Symposium on Improving the Performance of Supply Chains in the Transitional Economies

P.Y. Le Strat

certification, Eurep GAP, reputation, fruit and vegetables, safe food

https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2006.699.30