CONFICERT proposes taking a step forward in quality certification, toward a model that delivers greater value to the consumer.

CONFICERT is a non-profit association registered in Spain with international reach, composed of accredited Certification Bodies from different countries. Its CEO, Daniel González, explains how the project was born to strengthen consumer trust in the quality of products and services through the certification of reliable, transparent, global brands aligned with ethical values. On November 6, CONFICERT will officially present itself in Spain at an event that will bring together institutions, companies, consumers, and certification organizations to discuss the value of quality labels.

Q: Why was CONFICERT created, and who are its members?

A: The project was born in Spain, driven by several certification entities that shared the same vision: consumers are increasingly demanding and seek products and services aligned with their values, yet they face a wide variety of labels and claims that are not always easy to interpret. CONFICERT was created precisely to bring clarity to this landscape.

Since its establishment, the association has been expanding its international presence and currently includes 11 accredited Certification Bodies from six countries: ACERTA, ICC, ICDQ, OCE GLOBAL, and SYGMA (Spain), Q-CHECK (Greece), CERTIFICATION EUROPE (Italy), CODIMACO and AGRICERT (Portugal), USB (Turkey), and CERES (USA). Together, they operate in over 30 countries and cover diverse sectors such as agriculture, animal welfare, construction, cosmetics, education, energy, food, health, HoReCa channel, legal, livestock, organic, pharma, R&D&I, systems, technology, textiles, ICT, and tourism, among others.

CONFICERT brings a complementary and innovative approach to quality certification, strengthening transparency, traceability, and trust, especially in standards committed to principles such as sustainability and social responsibility — thus aligning certification with the evolving demands of society.

It is also important to highlight that CONFICERT is a Spanish initiative with a global vocation. Spain has been the starting point for a project that aims to enhance the value of the certification system. It is an opportunity for leadership that deserves the support of Spanish companies and institutions, helping Spain become a global benchmark in defining B2C quality standards.

Q: What does the organization propose, and what are its objectives?

A: CONFICERT aims to take a step forward in the certification of B2C quality standards, showing what truly lies behind them through clear and understandable language.

Our goals are to develop and promote B2C quality brands based on private and voluntary certification schemes that are reliable, transparent, global, and ethically aligned — ensuring that information associated with each label is simple, accessible, and easily understood by consumers. Moreover, we safeguard the integrity, independence, and impartiality of the system through a robust Integrity Surveillance Program.

It is important to note that the association does not perform certification activities itself. CONFICERT Quality Brands are certified exclusively by Authorized Certification Bodies.

Q: How has CONFICERT’s activity materialized so far?

A: In this first stage, CONFICERT has launched its first four certification brands:

  • VeG WINE®: for wines produced according to vegan standards, from vineyard to final product.
  • ECCO PLUS®: for already-certified organic products from organizations committed to sustainability.
  • GOOD FARM PLUS®: for animal farms committed to sustainability, focusing on responsible practices that minimize environmental impact.
  • FOOD WASTE SAVER®: for companies across the food supply chain committed to efficient surplus management and food waste prevention.

Additionally, three new certification schemes — related to energy saving, efficient water use, and chain of custody for GOOD FARM PLUS® products — are in their final development phase and will be published soon.

Q: What differentiates CONFICERT from other schemes, and what added value does it offer?

A: The main difference lies in the four core principles that define all CONFICERT brands. They are B2C certification marks — visible to end consumers — that are private, voluntary, accessible, and committed to ethical values. They are applicable across multiple sectors and globally consistent, with the same requirements and evaluation criteria regardless of the country where certification takes place.

All are governed by a model of complete transparency toward consumers and stakeholders, supported by a centralized and independent integrity monitoring system.

In terms of added value, CONFICERT offers clear benefits to each stakeholder:

  • For consumers: it provides direct access to clear, reliable, and understandable information about certified standards and companies, helping them make confident and informed purchasing decisions.
  • For certified companies (operators): it allows them to be pioneers in transparency, demonstrate their commitment to values, differentiate themselves from competitors, enhance reputation and competitiveness, and reduce the risk of greenwashing or social washing through an independent and transparent label.
  • For distributors and retailers: it offers a way to require global and consistent commitments from their suppliers, leading the way in transparency and clarity for increasingly demanding consumers.
  • For public and private organizations and stakeholders: it enables the development and promotion of standards aligned with their principles and values, providing a global and transparent solution to sector-specific needs.
  • For Certification Bodies: it opens new business opportunities in the certification of these brands while reinforcing their visibility, credibility, and reputation among consumers and companies.

Ultimately, with a global and collaborative vision, CONFICERT aims to build consumer trust through transparent and credible certification labels, creating B2C quality brands aligned with the ethical and social values that define today’s market.

Q: Tell us about the upcoming November 6 event in Madrid — why “The Revolution of Quality Labels”?

A: The event’s title perfectly captures the spirit and disruptive potential of the CONFICERT initiative. The Spanish members of the association wanted to organize this event to officially present the project in Spain and raise awareness nationally.

The goal is to foster an open dialogue among stakeholders involved in certification — including institutions, companies, consumers, and certification bodies — through a roundtable discussion on the value of quality labels for both consumers and businesses, and on the key role of transparency as a driver of trust.

This event also marks an important milestone: the official presentation of a Spanish-born initiative with global ambition, aiming to strengthen consumer confidence worldwide.

We invite all organizations, institutions, and professionals in the certification sector to join us in Madrid on November 6 and be part of this important conversation about the role of trust and transparency for today’s consumers.

Q: The event will also present the study “Radiography of Trust in Quality Labels in Spain,” developed by Ipsos. Why conduct such a study?

A: This study, carried out by IPSOS, a globally recognized market research firm, aims to analyze consumer perceptions of certification labels. However, I won’t reveal any further details just yet — I invite everyone to discover the insights, conclusions, and reflections from the study during the November 6 event.

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