Eleven Rivers presents a new concept in the market; a scheme in which horticulture growers from Mexico can be certified, including the main requirements that consumers, buyers and government agencies are seeking to global level.
The Eleven Rivers standard seeks to improve the performance of companies in terms of food safety, process quality, traceability, social and environmental responsibility; all of these aspects are weekly verified to ensure an ongoing compliance of certified companies.
When implementing these standards, Eleven Rivers seeks to promote three key factors: preference, consistency and reliability.
Eleven Rivers Growers is a non-profit organization with the purpose of achieving food safety, understanding it as the availability of having enough, healthy and safe food; with that, Eleven Rivers seeks to gain the trust of consumers in the produce generated by Mexican horticulture growers.
In 2012, Eleven Rivers published version 1.1 of its standard, which was recognized by SENASICA as equivalent to the Pollution Risks Reduction System model.
Also in 2012, the Eleven Rivers scheme was awarded by the Mexican Federal Government with the National Exports Award, in the category of “innovative foreign trade chain or alliance”, which is a result of credibility, effort and dedication of each of the growers involved in the program.
In 2015, the Entidad Mexicana de Acreditación, A.C. (EMA) (Organization equivalent to the American National Standards Institute, ANSI) awarded the type “A” Accreditation as a Verification Organization to Asociación de Normalización y Certificación A.C. in accordance to ISO/IEC 17020:2012 and in 2016 to NFS of Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V. as Product Certification Organization under ISO/IEC 17065:2012; this was made with the purpose of supporting EC11R validity.
Eleven Rivers establishes a commitment with the fresh produce industry, contributing to food safety in benefit of the consumer, through the supply of certified produce, supported by its differentiating values:
1. Full Coverage. In the Eleven Rivers Certification Scheme (EC11R), companies certify their modules of agriculture production, packaging and shelter facilities.
2. Comprehensive scope. Is not only focused on food safety: it also seeks to comply with best industry practices, including process quality, traceability and social responsibility.
3. Ongoing verification. Participating growers voluntarily agree to receive one certification per agriculture season; and one weekly compliance verification, developed by independent certification and verification organizations.