Your supplier sends a file with a logo, a stamp and the word «certified». It feels settled. But a certificate has a scope, an expiry date and an issuing body, and it can be perfectly genuine while not covering the product you are buying. Here is how to read it and verify it before you build claims on it.
Why a copy is not enough
A certificate sent by email may be outdated, issued to a different company or site, or cover another product category. Sometimes it is an honest mistake: the supplier shows the certificate of a packing partner rather than the factory that ships to you. So the job has two parts: read the document, then trace it to its source.
What to read on any certificate
| Element | What to check |
|---|---|
| Holder name | Matches the company name on the quote, invoice and contract exactly |
| Address / site | Is it the site where your order will be produced or packed? |
| Scope | Does it name products or activities relevant to argan oil? |
| Issuing body | Recognisable, with an official website and reachable contacts |
| Certificate number | Legible and usable for an enquiry to the issuer |
| Dates | Valid today and still valid on your shipping date |
| Standard | Is it the one your market actually requires? |
Five verification steps
- Ask for the full document with annexes; the annex often defines what is included or excluded.
- Match names and addresses across contract, quote and certificate.
- Contact the issuing body with the number and holder name. Some run a public lookup. Use the contact details on the issuer's own site, not links the supplier sends.
- Ask about accreditation: who accredits the issuer, and to which standard? Vagueness here deserves a follow-up question.
- Keep a record: date, contact, reply, and set a re-check date before expiry.
Site certificate or shipment certificate?
A site certificate shows an organisation operates under a given standard. Some organic schemes also require, in certain markets, a document tied to each imported shipment. Rules vary by market and scheme, so do not assume a site certificate is enough for customs clearance or for a pack claim. Ask your customs broker or the relevant authority what is needed, then request it from the supplier in writing before production starts.
Warning signs
- A certificate in another company's name («our sister company»).
- An expired or nearly expired document with no renewal plan.
- A blurry image where the number and dates cannot be read.
- Refusal to let you contact the issuing body.
- A well-known logo on packaging or a catalogue with no certificate behind it.
- Mixing up good manufacturing practice with organic certification; they are different subjects with different paperwork.
What about your own packaging?
A valid certificate at your supplier does not automatically let you use the certifier's logo on your finished product. Logo use and claims follow their own conditions and the rules of your target market. For a broader checklist, see our article on questions to ask when vetting an argan oil supplier.
If the supplier lacks the certificate you need
That is not necessarily a dealbreaker, as long as it is disclosed up front. You have three options: soften the claim to what you can prove, rely on other evidence such as lab reports and traceability records, or choose another supplier if the certificate is mandatory in your market. A site visit helps too; see our cosmetics factory audit checklist.
FAQ
Is a certificate number enough?
It is a starting point. Query the issuer to confirm holder, site and scope.
How often should I re-verify?
At onboarding, before expiry, and whenever the production site or company name changes.
Does an organic certificate mean every batch is organic?
Not necessarily. Scope matters, and your market may require a document per shipment. Get written confirmation for each order.
What if the supplier refuses contact with the issuer?
Treat it as a red flag. If you cannot verify the document, do not base a claim or a purchase decision on it.
Ask every supplier you compare for the same documents in the same format. At Assil Ouargane we are glad to discuss what your market needs before production: start with a quote request stating your target market and the documents you expect.
