Adaptation of a participatory organic certification system to the organic products law in six local markets in mexico

The Organic Products Law considers the Participatory Organic Certification System (POCS) as a guarantee system for consumers, aimed at organized small-scale producers which are directly connected to a local market. This article analyzes the challenges of the POCS in six markets in Mexico, underlining the changes brought about by the inclusion of POCS into national legislation of organic production. The results show the existing limiting and enabling factors that favor or threaten the participatory certification operation in these markets. They have to do with the legal constitution and consolidation of the certification group, the need to count on a well-defined POCS operational structure, and institutional support.