Massachusetts Independent Certification Inc.

“Form 990 and supporting schedules are reviewed and approved by the board of directors.”

“All certification personnel including certification administrators, inspectors, certification specialists, the executive director, file clerks, and all directors and officers of the board must complete an annual conflict of interest disclosure form and submit the completed form to the executive director. This form must disclose all commercial interests in operations certified by baystate organic certifiers, and all other commercial interests regardless of certified status. Disclosure must extend to interests held by immediate family members and any consulting services provided within the twelve-month period prior to the application for certification. Disclosure forms are filed with the executive director. It is the responsibility of all individuals covered by this policy to update their disclosure form whenever the status of their business interests in certified operations changes. All individuals holding any conflict of interest specified above are excluded from all aspects of the certification process and all monitoring of the certification status for any operation that they possess an interest in. It is the responsibility of the executive director to make sure that individuals holding any conflict of interest are not assigned to review, inspect, or make the certification decision for the operation that they have a stated conflict of interest with. However, if any individual is assigned to review, inspect, or make a certification decision for an applicant for certification that they have a conflict of interest with; it is their responsibility to notify the executive director immediately, and refuse work on the file for that applicant for certification.”

“The members of the board of directors are not compensated. The executive director's compensation agreement is reviewed and signed during each annual board meeting. The agreement is reached by monitoring industry norms and job performance.”

“Governing documents, conflict of interest policy, and financial statements are available to the public upon request.”

“The process has not changed from the prior year.”