Certification Mark Application Form

This form can be saved at any time and continued later by clicking the Save button located at the bottom of the form.

The term GSAB used in this form stands for Galloway and Southern Ayrshire Biosphere.

Guidance notes are attached below. This document can be downloaded by clicking the far right "..." button. Use the scroll bar to scroll pages.

Guidance Notes

Name Of Business*

Name of Business Owner/Manager*

Contact Email*

example@example.com

Contact Phone*

Please enter a valid phone number.

Business Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityRegion

Post Code

Website Address *

https://www.example.com

1.1 Brief description of business activity and location where you operate.*

1.2 How many Employees / Volunteers do you have?*

1.3 How long has your business been operating?*

1.4 Customer Type - Please drag and drop the following to rate which customer base you receive most frequently

1.5 Why do you want to apply for the Certification Mark?*

1.6 Tell us about any awards, accreditations or membership organisations that you have received or are part of.*

For example - star ratings, quality mark and assurance schemes, farm assurance, animal welfare schemes

1.7 Please provide a link to information you share with potential and existing customers on your sustainable, environmental/green credentials:*

Goods - When applying to certify a Good this refers to a specific product, for example - Apple Juice, Jewellery, Wool.

Service - Applying to certify a Service could include - Serving Food and Drink, Tourism Services, Agricultural Services.

Do you wish to certify a Good or a Service*

GoodsServices

2.1 Goods - Please describe your business and any products / goods for which you are applying to use the Certification Mark – giving details of origin, preparation and/or manufacture and ingredients/materials used (Note: products must be prepared or manufactured using at least 50% ingredients and produce grown, reared, or originating from the GSAB. Sustainable and responsibly sourced produce/ingredients may replace produce/ingredients where no sources exist in GSAB)*

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Do you serve Food / Drink?*

YesNo

2.2 Services - PLEASE DESCRIBE the business or service which you are applying for use of the Certification Mark?*

2.2 - Food and Drinks Only. Please provide information on your menu items and where you source these. (Note: when the serving of food is applicable to business it should be made, manufactured, grown, reared or contains materials originating in the GSAB area (25% of menus)*

	Item	Details of origin/source,
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Do you need more fields?

YesNo

2.2

	Item	Details of origin/source,
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This section helps to tells us more about how you and your business operations are supporting the 6 principles of GSAB. We will be looking at the kind of things you do and how you demonstrate those things to customers. Also consider ways of how you can evidence your answers.

The following questions may have some overlap in their answers. Fill in the information where you believe it is best suited.

3.1 Business Operation - What you are doing to reduce your environmental impact through your business operations, and how do you demonstrate this?*

(Enquiry/Booking/Point of sale/Administration/Energy use and Source/ Water Conservation/ Office or Production)

3.2 Transport/Arrival/Distribution - How does your business try to minimise transport impact in the GSAB? Do you distribute any products in an environmentally friendly way or encourage customers to use sustainable transport?*

Where applicable is packaging recyclable / compostable?*

3.3 Business Premises - How do you manage your business premises or the area in which you operate to improve local biodiversity and preserve cultural features.*

Example - Green spaces, Wildlife supports, Architectural features, Leave no trace.

3.4 Purchasing - Services/Processes What are you doing to support sustainable purchasing? *

Buy recycled or recyclable products. Eco-friendly products. Do you use local suppliers. Do you use local tradesman.

3.5 Employing People - Do you employ local people and/or how do you support the employment of local people? *

How do you look after your employees (If you do not employ staff have you got aspirations to)

3.6 You and your staff - How do you keep your business practices and work-related skills up to date? *

How do you and staff keep informed about GSAB? Have you participated in any events related to your work/business and region

3.7 Local Community - How do you and your business support the local community?*

Are you involved in any local community projects or organisations. do you support visitors or customers to contribute to the local community?

3.8 Networks - How does your business work with other local businesses and/or community organisations? Do you collaborate with anyother business within the Biosphere?*

3.9 Culture, Heritage and Environment - What do you do to champion Culture, Heritage and Environment? *

Think about how are you championing these. How do your customers or visitors learn about the features of your area.

3.10 Marketing and Promotion - We believe our Biosphere is special and that there is great value in sharing our UNESCO accolade. In your marketing and promotional activities, how do you show potential and existing customers your connection to the UNESCO Biosphere? How do you tell customers and visitors that the Biosphere is special? In this answer, also please provide the link to where you display your Biosphere Proud Supporter logo. *

(Displaying your Proud Supporter badge will be an essential requirement in applying for the Certification Mark)

Future Aspirations - What are your future aspirations to be a more sustainable business? Have you got any specific goals you want to achieve over the next 3 years?*

Are you a Farmer / Land Manager?*

YesNo

5.1 Environmental Land Management -

5.2 Sustainable Farming Practices - How do you manage your farm to conserve the special qualities of the GSAB

5.3 Animal Welfare - If you have animals what welfare measures are in place?

5.4 Access - Are you involved in any Access Projects? How do you support community and visitor access across your land holdings?

5.1 Land Management - a - What size property do you have?

5.1b - What amount (ac/ha/%) is used to support the product/service you are applying for?

5.1c - What habitat types exist on your farm or property?

5.1d - Describe any land management plans you have.

5.1e - Identify any audits conducted on your farm or property.

5.1f Does your farm or property hold any sustainability-related certifications?

5.1g - Are you receiving, or have you received, any grant funding such as through an Agri-environment or Forestry scheme?

5.1h - Are you participating in any local environmental project or activity to maintain or restore good habitat conditions on your land?

5.1i - What land sustainability and resiliency goals are you trying to achieve through your land management?

5.1j - What management systems or management practices do you have for your land?

5.1k - What do you do in terms of sustainability related to land management that is beyond the industry standard?

5.2 - Animal Welfare - a - If you have animals, do your animal welfare measures comply with the Animal Health and Welfare Scotland (Act) 2006 and/or the Welfare of Farmed Animals (Scotland) Regulations 2010? If not, please explain why.

5.2 b - What do you do in terms of animal welfare that is beyond the industry standard, if anything?

5.3 - Cultural and Archaeological Features - Are there any cultural or archaeological features on your property, such as stone dykes or cairns? If so, please describe.

5.4 - Access - Are there any public access features on your property, such as core paths, signs or parking areas? If so, please describe.

Certification Mark Application Form

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Section 5