4.7 Handling and Storage

4.7.1 All equipment from conventional farming systems shall be properly cleaned and free from  residues before being used on organically managed areas.

Contamination Control

4.7.2 Contamination control, all relevant measures should be taken to minimize contamination. The following are considered as background contamination: DDT Levels should not exceed- Meat 5.0mg/kg, milk fat 1.25mg/kg, eggs 0.5mg/kg. Lindane in food 2.0 mg/kg. Heavy metals in compost shall not exceed the following levels Arsenic 20mg/kg, Cadmium 3mg/kg, chromium 400mg/kg, copper 270mg/kg, lead 200mg/kg. Mercury 1mg/kg, nickel 60mg/kg, zinc 575 mg/kg.
 The operator shall employ measures including barriers and buffer zones to avoid potential contamination and exclude contaminants in organic products.

4.7.3 In the case of reasonable suspicion of contamination the certification body shall make sure that an analysis of the relevant products and possible sources of pollution (Soil, water, air and inputs) shall take place to determine the level of contamination and take measures accordingly.

4.7.4 For protected structure coverings, plastic mulches, insect netting and silage wrapping, only products based on polyethylene and polypropylene or other polycarbonates are allowed. These shall be removed from the soil after use and shall not be burned on the farmland. The use of polychloride based products is prohibited.

Soil And Water Conservation

4.7.5 - Soil and water resources must be handled in a sustainable manner.
 - Relevant measures must be taken to prevent erosion, salinisation of soil and water, excessive and improper use of water and the pollution of ground water and surface water.
 - Clearing of land through the means of burning organic matter, e.g. slash and burn, straw burning shall be restricted to a minimum.
 - The clearing of primary forest and ecosystems is prohibited.
- Relevant measures shall be taken to prevent erosion.
- Crop production, processing and handling systems shall return nutrients, organic matter and other resources removed from the soil through harvesting by recycling, regeneration and addition of organic materials and nutrients.
- Operators shall take measures to maintain and improve landscape and enhance biodiversity quality.