Membership

Why join Organic Retailers Association?

In many countries the independent organic food retailers are underdeveloped and most organic food is sold through large, conventional food multiples. In the long run this development is to the detriment of the organic movement, as the food gets sourced from large distances from huge, intensive producers.

This fact asks for the support of independent organic retail businesses (organic shops, organic supermarkets). Organic shops offer an important distribution channel particularly for regional products of small and medium-sized farmers and processors. The more of them are developed over a wide geographical area, the more are able to contribute to the growth of the organic movement. Therefore it is strongly advised to organic farmers associations world-wide to look after this marketing channel for the benefit of their members and ongoing growth of organic agriculture. Also, members of the organic retail branch do well if they get organized in national associations, which ORA can assist with. Processors and producers should support the transparency of flow of organic goods and service through endorsement of ORA's strict standards setting.

ORA is offering you to:

participate actively in ORA's internal organisation or structures
benefit from and contribute to ORA's international lobby activities
influence and contribute to the standard setting process for the “Organic Retail Standards”
get connected to high quality network, improve education, qualification and services
get help with improvement of the operations, the customer service and the know how

According to the ORA statutes there are three levels of affiliation:

Members

With voting rights at General Assemblies (National organisations or associations representing the Organic retailers in a particular country or region).

Associates

Same status as members, except voting rights (Organisations or companies that do not qualify as Members but want to support ORA and share all benefits of a Member).

Supporters

Any individual or Non-for-profit organisation, who wants to help and support the work of ORA.

Specific benefits:

Each ORA Member or Associate gets:

Discounts on ORA services
Discounts on advertising and promotion on ORA events, publications and web page
Free listing in ORA web directory
Free ORA News
Participation on ORA projects and their results and effects

Requirements for affiliation with ORA

Applicants for Member status must (does not apply for Supporters):

actively pursue the aims of organic agriculture and the objectives of ORA and IFOAM
pursue activities predominantly consistent with the statutory purposes of ORA
adhere to ORA Statutes and Standards

Affiliation Fee Structure

The affiliation fee is established by the members at each regular General Assembly.

Fee for Members *** (companies and associations, which are directly or indirectly involved in the organic retailer sector):

	Yearly Fee
Developed countries *	500 Euro
Developing countries *	250 Euro

Fee for Supporters (Individuals or NGOs, etc.):

	Minimum Yearly Fee **
Developed countries*	100 Euro
Developing countries*	50 Euro

* Developed countries: Australia, Canada, EU15, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, USA

*Developing countries: All other countries

**Minimum Yearly Fee equals the minimum yearly payment to secure your Associate/Supporter Status. Nevertheless, there is no ceiling for the support you want to give ORA.

To join ORA

Please download the ORA Membership Application Form / New Member Questionnaire, fill them in, sign and send to ORA.

Or simply E-mail to info@o-r-a.org

phone: +43-(0)1-403 70 50/235

fax: +43-(0)1-403 70 50/190

or write to ORA, Theresianumgasse 11/1/1 , A-1040 Vienna, Austria - new Member Application Pack will be sent or E-mailed to you.