In March 2014, NASAA launched a world first organic trade access agreement designed to enable Australian operators to save thousands of dollars and months of paperwork in exporting their organic products to the growing organic market in China. Previously, to access China, Australian operators were required to pay for Chinese certification inspectors to travel to Australia to inspect the operations, returning their reports after 4-5 months at a cost of up to $70,000.

NASAA secured approval from Chinese regulators to undertake inspections for Chinese organic certification in Australia and wherever NASAA certified operators are, write the report for Chinese partners to approve the application. This meant a reduction from 120-150 days, down to only 30-40 days, and a considerable cost reduction. The agreement was expected to have a huge impact on the fast growing organic sector, and several NASAA certified operators were able to double their turnover due to access to China.

The ACBC Industry Leader of the Year award is made annually to the individual who has demonstrated creative, innovative and outstanding leadership in developing trade between Australia and China. In his speech nominating Mr Copeman for the Award, ACBC SA President, Sean Keenihan, commented on the level of innovation and creativity NASAA had instigated in developing the Organic Market Access Agreement.

He said the Agreement will open the Chinese organic market up for Global competition citing two other international certification bodies that have followed NASAA’s lead.

The Australia China Business Council (ACBC) is considered the premier business organisation dedicated to promoting business and trade between Australia and the People’s Republic of China. ACBC is a membership-based, non-profit, non-governmental organisation comprising of a National Office, six Branches, and more than 1500 representatives from over 900 Australian companies who do business with China.

Founded in 1973, ACBC actively promotes two-way trade and investment, and economic cooperation and understanding, between the business communities of Australia and China. ACBC plays an influential role as an advisor to the Australian Government on commercial relations with China.