In a recent press release ECOCERT, a French based certification body, has announced that it has acquired Indiana Certified Organic (ICO), a US certification body operating in the US and US Virgin Islands. ECOCERT explain that the transaction is key to its strategy in developing its North American business plan with well-established local partners in the USA. The acquisition of ICO brings over 300 additional US clients to the ECOCERT Group.

Informal discussions between ECOCERT and ICO started in 2009, and the formal process was initiated in July 2010 and completed on 28 January 2011.

Commenting on the acquisition, former ICO CEO, Cecilia Bowman noted, ‘ECOCERT was a natural choice as we share the same values and commitment to organic farmers and handlers.’ ECOCERT CEO, William Vidal, agreed, saying ‘We are proud to have ICO within the ECOCERT Group. It will strengthen our commitment to the organic sector’.

Source: ECOCERT press release, 20 September 2011.