Assessment & Certification

About assessment and certification 

The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has established an Assessment and Certification Framework to evaluate the products, projects, and services of providers against the Australian Farm Data Code (the Code).  

A provider is defined in the Code as “any entity with a direct contractual relationship (written or verbal) with a farm business, which collects, interprets or manages farm data in the course of that relationship. Providers include but are not limited to: technology providers, research institutions, government bodies.” [Ref: Australian Farm Data Code, Edition 2”] 

Assessment 

Only providers’ products, projects, or services can be assessed against the Code – providers as a whole cannot be assessed or certified. This is because a provider may have several products, projects, or services that have different data terms and policies associated with them, so they need to undergo separate assessments.  

Products, projects, and services submitted by providers for assessment against the Code, receive a Summary Audit Report on how well they comply with the Code. 

Farmers can view Summary Audit Reports in the Register of assessed and certified products, projects, and services. 

Certification 

Only provider products, projects, and services that comply 100% with the Code will be certified and able to use the Certification Mark. 

Farmers can look out for the Certification Mark on providers’ products and promotional materials. The certification number on the Mark is unique to each product, project, or service, and can be used to look up Summary Audit Reports in the Register of assessed and certified products, projects, and services. 

Role of the NFF 

The NFF will: 

• • Assess the terms/contracts and data management policies of products, projects, and services for compliance with the Code 

• • Certify products, projects, and services as compliant with the Code 

• • Administer and evolve the Code and certification 

• • Investigate complaints of non-compliance to the Code and certification 

The NFF does not: 

• • Negotiate, mediate, or arbitrate between farmers and providers 

• • Check provider contracts for whether they are fair, reasonable, or legal (though NFF will call out unfair data-related terms if noticed) 

• • Vet products or services for quality or efficacy, or provide endorsements or guarantees 

Independent review 

The NFF is the peak national body representing farmers and, more broadly, agriculture across Australia. It is one of Australia’s foremost and respected advocacy organisations. 

To review certification applications, the NFF has established a Certification Panel comprising farmers and independent legal and industry experts. 

The current membership of the Certification Panel is: 

• David Jochinke (Chair), Vice-President NFF 
• Adrian Roles, Farmer and NSW Farmers member 
• Caitlin McConnel, Legal expert 
• Peter Leonard, Legal expert 
• Peter Thompson, Farmer and Chair of NFF’s Telecommunications Committee 
• Robin Doss, Technology and Cyber-security expert 

Providers pay a fee for undergoing the assessment process for their products, projects, or services. Fees are set at a level to cover NFF’s costs for administrating the process.  

Governance of the Assessment and Certification Framework 

The Assessment and Certification Framework will be regularly reviewed based on industry consultation and feedback. 

During the Framework’s initial development, the Farm Data Working Group was the first point of consultation.  

For ongoing reviews, community consultation on changes to the Framework will include certified providers, NFF members, agronomists, industry experts, technology providers, research institutions, and government. 

The Certification Panel will decide the appropriate notice and grace period for compliance to the updated Assessment and Certification Framework, depending on the size and impact of the change.