● Producer groups must be located within the same geographical region, have the same kind of product and similar production systems.
● In case the group is spread over a large region, it has to be subdivided in smaller groups
● Group certification makes sense only for groups from 15 members on; nevertheless, also smaller groups should feel encouraged to set up their own internal control system, independently from the percentage of external control by the certifier.
4．什么是生产商团体？
● 团体生产商不仅只合作、联合或相似的组织，而且也指加工或经销公司在他们的供应商组织为生产商团体。
● 生产商团体必须处在同一地区，有着相同类型的产品和相似的生产体系。
● 如果生产商团体拓展到更多地区域，就应该把它再细分为小生产团体。
● 团队认证对有15个成员组成的团队很有意义，然而，也应该鼓励较小的团体建立自己内部的监督系统，并与认证机构的部控制那部分相独立。

5. Internal control:
● As a basic requirement, all producers have to be controlled at least once per year by the internal inspectors.
● Internal inspectors must be adequately prepared for performing their job; we recommend training by our staff.
● Conflicts of interest must be avoided when selecting internal inspectors; nevertheless, we recognise that situations may exist, where consultants will have to do the internal inspections