Chão Vivo

1. Review eligibility requirements: Confirm that your agricultural operation or food production facility is located in Espírito Santo, Brazil, and that your practices align with Brazilian organic regulations (Lei 10.831/2003 and Decreto 6.323/2007).

1. Contact Chão Vivo: Reach out to the Associação de Certificação de Produtos Orgânicos do ES via their official website (chaovivo.com.br) to express interest and receive an application package and fee schedule.

1. Prepare documentation: Compile records of your production history, land use, inputs applied, and any prior certifications. Document that no prohibited substances (synthetic pesticides, chemical fertilizers, GMOs) have been used for the required conversion period (typically 12–18 months for annual crops, 18–36 months for perennial crops).

1. Submit your application: Complete and submit the application form along with all required documentation and the initial application fee to Chão Vivo.

1. Undergo initial inspection: A Chão Vivo auditor will schedule and conduct an on-site inspection of your farm or production facility, reviewing records, interviewing staff, and observing practices.

1. Receive certification decision: The inspection findings are reviewed by Chão Vivo's technical committee. If conformity is confirmed, you will be issued the Chão Vivo organic certificate and authorized to use the label on your products.

1. Maintain certification: Submit to annual renewal inspections and keep production records up to date to maintain your certified status.

Chão Vivo evaluates producers against Brazilian national organic standards (Lei 10.831/2003 and Decreto 6.323/2007) as well as Chão Vivo's own internal standards. The assessment covers several key areas:

Land and conversion history: Inspectors verify that the land has undergone the required conversion period free from prohibited substances — typically 12–18 months for annual crops and 18–36 months for perennial crops.

Input management: All fertilizers, pest control agents, and soil amendments used must be permitted under organic regulations. Records of all inputs purchased and applied are reviewed.

Production practices: Farming methods are evaluated for conformity with organic principles, including soil health management, biodiversity conservation, and avoidance of GMOs and synthetic chemicals.

Record-keeping and traceability: Producers must maintain detailed records of all production activities, inputs, harvests, and sales to ensure full traceability from farm to market.

Post-harvest handling and labeling: For processed products, handling facilities and labeling practices are reviewed to ensure organic integrity is maintained through the supply chain and that the Chão Vivo label is used correctly.

Chão Vivo is a regional organic certification body operating in Espírito Santo (ES), one of Brazil's smaller states, and is registered with Brazil's Ministry of Agriculture (MAPA) as an accredited organic conformity assessment body. Brazil has a growing organic sector, with the country ranking among the top ten globally for organic agricultural land. However, the Brazilian organic certification market is dominated by larger national and international bodies such as IBD Certificações, Ecocert Brasil, and IMO, which offer broader geographic coverage and international recognition.

Chão Vivo's primary value proposition is its regional focus and proximity to small and medium-scale producers in Espírito Santo. This local presence can mean lower costs, faster inspection turnaround, and more accessible technical support compared to larger certifiers. However, its recognition is largely limited to the domestic Brazilian market, and producers seeking to export to the EU, US, or other major markets would typically need additional certification from an internationally accredited body.

Demand for organic products in Brazil has grown steadily, driven by increasing consumer health awareness and government support for family farming. The Brazilian government's organic registry (SISORG) provides public transparency for all certified producers, which supports consumer trust across all accredited certifiers including Chão Vivo. The program is best positioned as a cost-effective entry point for local producers in ES who primarily sell in regional or domestic markets.

Chão Vivo was established in 1999 in Espírito Santo, Brazil, as a regional response to the growing demand for credible organic certification among small and medium-scale farmers in the state. The association was founded by local agricultural stakeholders seeking an accessible, regionally grounded certification body that could serve producers who might find larger national certifiers costly or logistically difficult to access.

Following the enactment of Brazil's national organic law (Lei 10.831/2003) and its regulatory decree (Decreto 6.323/2007), Chão Vivo aligned its standards and procedures with the national framework and registered as an accredited conformity assessment body with MAPA (Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento). This alignment ensured that Chão Vivo-certified products could be sold as organic throughout Brazil under the national organic seal system (SISORG), giving the regional label national legal standing.