Does Green Food Certification promote agri-food export quality?Evidence from China

The construction of a food certification system plays a vital role in upgrading export quality, which previous studies have largely overlooked. We match China's industry-level data of Green Food Certification with its HS6-digit export data of agri-food products to quantify the impact of Green Food Certification on export quality. We identify the significant and positive effect of Green Food Certification on export quality. The 2SLS estimation based on instrumental variables and a range of robustness checks confirm the validity and robustness of the benchmark conclusions. Further analysis discloses that Green Food Certification improves export quality by raising agricultural production efficiency and brand premiums. Heterogeneity analysis shows that the effect of Green Food Certification varies across regions, notably improving the quality of agri-food products exported to developed regions and regions with high levels of import supervision. Furthermore, among various product types, Green Food Certification significantly improves the export quality of primary products and products vulnerable to non-tariff measures. The above findings could guide the future development of agri-food quality certification systems, potentially leading to a transformation and promotion of the agri-food trade.

Construction and Reflection of Software Engineering Major Based on Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) Certification

With the rapid development of information technology,the demand for talents in the field of software engineering is growing.In order to cultivate high-quality software engineering talents who meet the market demand,universities have continuously carried out the construction of software engineering majors.Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology(ABET)certification,as an internationally recognized higher education quality assurance system,provides important reference and guidance for the construction of software engineering majors.Guided by student learning outcomes and core competencies,combined with the characteristics of software engineering talent cultivation,the innovation of talent cultivation mode takes industry-education integration and school-enterprise cooperation as the main development paths and explores comprehensive reform of the major in terms of professional positioning and goals,curriculum system,teaching conditions,and teachers.This comprehensive reform model has effectively promoted the development of major construction and improved the quality of talent cultivation.

A Certification Framework for E-Commerce Digital Competencies

In this paper, we introduce a comprehensive certification framework for digital competencies. This framework delineates the regulations, processes, and administration necessary for executing certification of a particular subset of competencies within the DigComp framework. It stipulates distinct requisites for the methodology employed, assessment instruments, evaluation criteria, and procedures for awarding certificates. The framework encompasses the enhancement of fundamental skills, particularly digital competencies, as well as involving digitally disenfranchised demographics with technology. It can be used to evaluate and certify varying degrees of digital proficiency and to instruct individuals in utilizing essential business-to-consumer e-commerce functionalities.

The Accuracy Levels of Vehicle Detectors Commonly Used in Korea Based on the Results of Quality Certification Test

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport of Korea introduced the ITS system performance evaluation about six and a half years ago. The main purpose is to make sure that accurate and reliable real-time traffic data are collected from the ITS system installed. There are three types of performance evaluations, which are Quality Certification Test, Pre-Delivery Test and Periodic Check in Operation. In this paper the accuracy levels of vehicle detectors commonly used in Korea are analyzed based on the results of quality certification tests conducted during 2008-2012. The test items consist of volume, speed and occupancy. The analysis shows that loop detectors have the best levels of accuracy in all three test items and their levels of accuracy have been steady. Video image detectors do not have so good levels of accuracy as loop detectors, but the levels of accuracy have improved as time passes. Radar detectors do not have good levels of accuracy. However, their levels of accuracy have improved as time passes. The last vehicle detectors, geomagnetism detectors have the worst accuracy in the occupancy item.

CCC Certification Promotes Sound Development of Chinese Economy——On the establishment of China Certification and Accreditation Association

On Sept.27, 2005, China Certification and Accreditation Association was set up, which was a sign of standardization and legalization for China certification and accreditation. Furthermore, its main task includes supporting fairness, gaining credit, promoting development and building a harmonious society.

Construction of the First Certification Evaluation Index System for Diabetes Specialist Nurses by Delphi Method

Objective: To establish an evaluation index system for the first-time certification of diabetes specialist nurses in line with the clinical nursing practice in China, and to provide a reference basis for government administrations and hospitals to formulate unified standards. Methods: After the research team has determined the theme, it will consult the development of A) specialist nursing through the library, Internet and electronic literature database;B) the history of the development of specialist nurses in diabetes and other fields;C) the selection criteria of specialist nurses;D) the training of specialist nurses system, assessment method;E) Specialist nurse certification body, evaluation standards and certification standards and other related documents, literature, books and report materials. The author established the preliminary index system through literature review, specialist interview and group discussion and used Delphi method to organize three rounds of 30 experts’ consultations. Results: A first certification evaluation index system including 8 fundamental indicators, 5 first-level indicators, 19 second-level indicators and 99 third-level indicators was constructed for diabetes nurses. Conclusion: The results of three rounds of expert consultation and demonstration are reliable, and the constructed index system is suitable for comprehensive evaluation of diabetes specialist nurses, which provides a basis for the effective management of nursing resources.

Development Strategy of Engine Bird Ingestion Certification Technology

The development strategy of the certification technology on engine bird ingestion is proposed after reviewing the development history of engine bird ingestion certification in developed Western countries,and analyzing technical characteristics during different developing periods.Moreover,the main issues of bird ingestion certification technology,development program and strategy for the turbofan engines industry are addressed in detail.Finally,the relevant technique development is investigated and the main objects of bird ingestion certification technology for the turbofan engines are summarized and concluded.

A distributed adaptive multi-hop certification authority schemefor mobile Ad Hoc networks

This paper theoretically analyzes a deficiency of the existing scheme, and proposes a distributed multi-hop certification authority scheme for mobile Ad Hoc networks. In our design, we distribute the certification authority functions through a threshold secret sharing mechanism, in which each node holds a secret share and multiple nodes jointly provide complete services. Certification authority is not limited in a local neighborhood but can be completed within multi-hop location. In addition, we replace broadcast by multicast to improve system performance and reduce communication overhead. This paper resolves some technical problems of ubiquitous certification authority services, and presents a wieldy multi-hop certification authority algorithm. Simulation results confirm the availability and effectiveness of our design.

Construction of Performance Evaluation Index System for Enterprises Implementing Green Food Certification Based on BSC

According to the investigation results of 70 green food enterprises in Sichuan Province,the strategic targets of enterprises implementing green food certification are discussed by borrowing ideas from the Balanced Score Card.Balanced Score Card index system is selected and improved according to the changes of enterprises before and after implementing the green food certification system.Then,the performance evaluation index system of enterprises implementing green food certification is established.This index system has five strategic directions of finance,customer,internal management,social ecology,and learning and growth,and has 11 strategic targets,such as increasing operating profit,expanding market,improving the quality of staff,improving the production technology level,enhancing the core competence of enterprises,ensuring food safety,improving the physical quality of human,and protecting ecological environment.According to the principles of guidance,scientificity,comparability,feasibility,and significance,a total of 24 evaluation indices are established,including the change of product cost,change of product sales revenue,change of profit rate,change of return on investment,change of internal and external lost cost,change of the proportion of certified products in total sales and so on.

Sustainability and Forest Certification as a Framework for a Capstone Forest Resource Management Plans Course

Forest sustainability is the foundation of forestry and modern forest management. Originally the central concept was sustained-yield and maximum timber production and then multiple-use and other non-timber values gained importance. After the Rio Conference and development of the Montréal Process in the early 1990’s, forest sustainability rapidly gained importance and various forest certification schemes developed to certify forest products that were grown using sustainable forest management. Forest sustainability and forest certification have become critical topics in forestry curricula. The American Tree Farm System is one of the important North American forest certification organizations. Modern forestry curricula often include a capstone course where forest management plans are developed. We describe a capstone course at Clemson University under development that uses the management standards and management plan template of the American Tree Farm System as a framework for students to develop actual forest management plans for local forest owners. The material is integrated into a series of four courses leading up to the capstone course. The course offered a hands-on approach for students to create management plans using actual certification standards and the system’s management plan template. In addition, students received specialized training to qualify as auditors for the certification system. This is an example of forest sustainability being integrated into the forestry curriculum.

Participatory Certification of Organic Food Booms

On weekends,Ms.Ran,who works in the Internet industry,goes to the Beijing Country Fair to buy vegetables,fruits and yoghourt."Before when I bought fruits at the stalls along the streets,I always asked whether the fruit is suitable for pregnant women,"said Ms.Ran.She tried to learn if the vendor would admit the fruits had much pesticide residue,

Effects of acquiring FSC forest management certification for Japanese enterprises using SmartWood Audits

We explore the organizational, environmental, and economic effects of sustainable forest management （FM） certification by Smart- Wood （SW）, one of the certification bodies accredited by the Forest Stewardship Council （FSC） to carry out certification in Japan. We closely investigated three enterprises： the Yusuhara Forest Owners＇ Cooperative, Yamanashi Prefectural Forest, and Ryujin-mura Forest Owners＇ Coopera- tive. Interviews with representatives of these entities provided crucial empirical information regarding the influence of certification on envi- ronmental assessment, rare-species protection, landscape-management planning, management objectives, and forest supervision. Attainment of FM status improved environmental awareness and engendered positive changes in assessing and managing forests and other natural resources but simultaneously imposed heavier economic costs.

Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, acquires GLP certification from the CFDA

The Center for Drug Safety Evaluation from the Kunming Institute of Zoology （KIZ） acquired Good Laboratory Practice （GLP） Certification from the China Food and Drug Administration （CFDA） on June 30, 2015. This is the second pre-clinical safety evaluation organization to have obtained GLP Certification in the Yunnan Province and within the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and is also the first GLP center to have qualification for toxicokinetics testing in Yunnan.

Measuring Marketing Performance: Investigation into Practice and Certification

The content validity of marketing performance measurement metrics in China is reported. Based on the respondents in the research, the statistic analysis of relative importance, and the frequencies of use of marketing metrics are given. It is shown that the marketing metrics are consistent with market orientation, sectors and the role of managers, that affect the way in measuring marketing performance. The investigation results provide certified basis for developing marketing performance assessment systems in Chinese enterprises.

The social welfare effect of forest certification under environmental spillovers

Forest certification has positive environmental spillovers.Considering environmental spillovers,this study ana‐lyzed the social welfare effects of forest certification using partial and general equilibrium methods.The re‐sults of the partial equilibrium analysis showed that social welfare in producing countries tended to increase under the market expansion of certified forest products.The general equilibrium analysis results indicated that,in autarky,or economic independence,the production amount of certified forest products could increase.If conventional forest products are imported and certified forest products are exported,then the level of utility in free trade condition is greater than that in autarky.If conventional forest products are exported and certi‐fied forest products are imported,then the price of imported products must be compared with the price of the autarky domestic market to determine the utility level of free trade and autarky.If the price of certified prod‐ucts is less than the price at the time of autarky,then the total utility level increases;otherwise,it decreases.The social welfare effect of forest certification can be increased through expanding the market demand of cer‐tified products and giving these products subsidies in production and price incentives in importing.

The promotion of international certification harmonization of welding fabrication industries

Enterprises and their products require corresponding international qualification when they participate in international market competition after China joined WTO. At present, the number of certified welding fabrication companies is still small. However, more and more enterprises are getting to realize the importance, and we have already had the following basic conditions: welding personnel qualification according to the international guidelines and rules, welding standards equivalent to ISO and EN standards, as well as full successful experiences of company certification gained through cooperation between China and Germany. So with additional industries’ support and government’s attention, company certification according to international rules will provide qualification guarantee for welding fabrication companies to participate in international market competition.

Qualitative Comparison between the Brazilian Labeling Program for Buildings and the Portuguese Energy Certification System for Buildings:Proposals for Improving Brazilian Regulations

Buildings represent a significant share of the world’s energy consumption,and the sector has drawn the attention of governments,which have adopted policies to reduce energy expenditure.The Certifications of Energy Efficiency in Buildings stand out as one possible solution to achieve this goal,employed in several countries worldwide.The European Union presents advanced energy assessment programs for buildings,being a reference and model for several other regulations in the world.The Energy Certification System for Buildings(SCE)of Portugal is considered a success case,reflected in the significant number of energy certificates issued.The Brazilian Labeling Program for Building(PBE Edifica),first launched in 2009,does not find a broad application today in the Brazilian scenario.This work shows a synthesis of the European Energy Performance of Buildings Directive(EPBD)and the Brazilian and Portuguese regulations’history.A qualitative comparison is made between the SCE and the PBE Edifica to verify a European and a developing country’s regulations with a certain degree of cultural and climatic similarities.Through this comparison,proposals are made for improvements to Brazilian certification,seeking to improve its energy planning and energy policy concerning its building stock.The suggestions for improvement presented may also be appropriate for other developing countries that have started and have not yet successfully implemented their energy certification programs in buildings.

Death certification: issues and interventions

A review of the literature suggests that errors in death certification are common. We reviewed the published literature to clarify what is known and what remains to be learned before evidence-based changes in medical education can be recommended. We searched the National Library of Medicine’s PubMed database for articles that addressed death certificate accuracy and identified 159 articles of interest published from 1996 to 2010. Among these 159 articles, we found 83 that were relevant to our goals and objectives. Cause of death certification has been shown to be problematic and several interventions have been shown to improve its accuracy, especially if the intervention is interactive. However these studies have focused on short term gains rather than on long term retention and performance, leaving a significant data gap. We suggest a study design that could address this data gap.

BIM-Based Sustainability Certification of Building Components in the Construction Phase

Building Information Modelling(BIM)is becoming increasingly present in every stage of assets’lifecycle.More and more,the BIM approach is related to the sustainability assessment protocols which play an important role in reducing the impact on the environment.In the design and construction phase,the products’sustainability certification is a key issue to be managed and controlled,to achieve higher efficiency in operations.Through this research,a BIM-based methodology to automate the sustainability certification process in construction phase has been developed.According to the proposed method,the contractor proposes a building component to the work supervisor,by uploading the related technical datasheet in a Common Data Environment(CDE).If the component meets the performance requirements defined for the construction stage and agreed with the involved parties(work supervisor,client and sustainability accredited professional),it is validated and uploaded in the BIM model by the BIM manager.The methodology has been tested in a case study,confirming the effectiveness of the proposed approach.However,it should be further validated.Moreover,it can be improved and a higher level of automation can be achieved,in order to cope with product dictionaries and templates under development in CEN technical committee 442.

Transition to Certification Schemes and Implications for Market Access: GlobalGAP Perspectives in Kenya

Voluntary pre-farm certification schemes especially GlobalGAP are increasingly defining market access for smallholders in developing countries. Their strict demand for financial and technical competencies and concerns for producer welfare and environmental conservation imply that transition to certified production could spell smallholders’ exit or shift to alternative markets for no-compliance. But what factors motivate successful transition to certification and does alternative market access exist for the unsuccessful transition? Multinomial logit estimates reveal training and higher farm assets base as key indicators of successful certification and organized production. However, a large cultivated land resource favours certification but disfavours transition to organized production. The results point to sensitivity of certification schemes to expertise on technical information and assets that enhance cultivation of quality, reliable and hygienic produce and economies of scale in farming. The transition to organized production seems efficient if technical knowledge and assets that enhance cultivation of quality, reliable and hygienic produce are present. The results imply that farmer expertise, farm assets and land resource are critical barriers for farmers transiting to certification schemes. This calls for concerted mitigation if smallholders in developing countries are to benefit from the lucrative premium markets in Western Europe.