Hoe draagt de DGZK-certificering bij aan duurzame geitenkaasproductie?

In the Dutch goat cheese sector, sustainability plays an increasingly important role. For producers like us at DeJong Cheese, it is not only important to make high-quality goat cheese, but also to do so in a responsible manner. More and more industrial buyers are demanding transparency about the sustainability aspects of their ingredients. One of the ways goat cheese producers can demonstrate their sustainable practices is through DGZK certification. This certification provides a structured framework for sustainable production and helps producers measurably reduce their environmental impact.

What is DGZK certification and why is it important for goat cheese producers?

DGZK certification is the Dutch quality mark for Sustainable Goat Farming and Dairy Chain that certifies the entire production chain from goat milk to end product on sustainability aspects such as animal welfare, environmental management and social responsibility. For goat cheese producers, this quality mark is important because it objectively demonstrates that their production process meets strict sustainability requirements and distinguishes them in a market where buyers are becoming increasingly critical about origin and production methods.

The DGZK quality mark arose from the need of the Dutch goat sector to make sustainability measurable and controllable. Unlike general sustainability certifications, DGZK focuses specifically on the unique aspects of goat farming and goat cheese production. This means that the requirements are tailored to the practice of goat farms and dairy processors.

For cheese producers, DGZK certification offers various advantages. First, it creates transparency throughout the entire chain, from goat farmer to end product. Second, it helps meet the increasingly strict requirements of retail and foodservice. Third, it offers a competitive advantage because certified producers can demonstrate that they go beyond legal minimum requirements.

The certification is particularly relevant for producers who supply to professional buyers. Large food producers and retailers often have their own sustainability goals and seek suppliers who can contribute to these. With DGZK certification, goat cheese producers can objectively demonstrate that their products contribute to these goals.

How does the DGZK certification process work for cheese producers?

The DGZK certification process for cheese producers consists of five main phases: registration and intake, baseline measurement of the current situation, implementation of improvement measures, independent audit by a recognized certifying body, and annual inspections with continuous improvement. The complete process takes an average of six to nine months, depending on the company’s starting situation.

The first step is registration with the DGZK Foundation. During the intake, it is assessed which parts of the company fall under the certification. For a goat cheese producer, this usually means the entire production location, including milk reception, cheese production, ripening, packaging and storage. Administrative processes are also included.

During the baseline measurement, an advisor maps the current situation. This includes energy consumption, water usage, waste streams, working conditions and the origin of raw materials. Based on this measurement, an improvement plan is drawn up with concrete objectives and timelines.

The implementation phase is often the most intensive period. Companies may need to make investments in energy-efficient equipment, improve waste separation or adapt administrative systems. It is important that all employees are involved and trained in the new working methods.

The independent audit forms the conclusion of the certification process. A recognized auditor checks whether all DGZK requirements have been implemented and whether the documentation is in order. With a positive assessment, the company receives the DGZK certificate, which is valid for three years with annual interim inspections.

What are the concrete sustainability requirements within DGZK for goat cheese production?

The concrete sustainability requirements within DGZK for goat cheese production include at least 25% reduction of CO2 emissions per kilogram of cheese within five years, 100% sustainable energy or compensation thereof, maximum 5% product loss in the production process, full traceability of milk deliveries, and strict requirements for water and waste management including separate collection of at least six waste streams.

In the field of energy, DGZK requires that companies must have an energy management plan. This plan must provide insight into energy consumption per production step and contain concrete saving measures. For cheese producers, this often means investments in heat recovery during pasteurization, energy-efficient cooling for ripening chambers and LED lighting in production areas.

Water management is another important aspect. Goat cheese production uses a lot of water for cleaning and cooling. DGZK requires that companies monitor their water consumption and reduce it by at least 2% annually. This can be achieved, for example, through reuse of rinse water, optimization of cleaning procedures and investment in water-saving equipment.

For raw materials, at least 95% of the goat milk must come from DGZK-certified goat farmers. These dairy farmers in turn meet strict requirements for animal welfare, nutrition and housing. Other ingredients such as rennet, salt and any flavor additives must be sustainably sourced where possible.

Social sustainability is also part of DGZK. This means fair working conditions, continuous training of employees and active involvement in the local community. Companies must prepare a social annual report in which they account for these aspects.

What benefits does DGZK certification offer for industrial buyers such as food producers?

DGZK certification offers industrial buyers such as food producers guaranteed supply chain transparency with full traceability from raw material to end product, objective sustainability data for their own reports, risk management through independent inspections, and a simple way to meet their own sustainability goals without conducting separate audits at each supplier.

For purchasers like Marco Visser, who are responsible for purchasing cheese products for industrial processing, DGZK certification mainly means certainty. They can trust that the goat cheese they purchase meets strict sustainability requirements without having to check this themselves. This saves time and costs in the supplier selection process.

An important advantage is the availability of concrete sustainability data. DGZK-certified producers must report annually on their CO2 footprint, water consumption and waste production. Industrial buyers can use this data directly for their own sustainability reports and carbon footprint calculations. This is particularly relevant for companies that must comply with the EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).

DGZK certification also helps manage reputation risks. By choosing certified suppliers, food producers can demonstrate that they purchase responsibly. This is important at a time when consumers and NGOs critically examine the origin of ingredients. An independent quality mark like DGZK offers protection against possible image damage.

Practically speaking, DGZK certification also simplifies purchasing administration. Instead of separate sustainability declarations and audits per supplier, one certificate suffices. This reduces the administrative burden and makes it easier to compare suppliers on sustainability aspects.

How does DGZK certification contribute to lower environmental impact of goat cheese?

DGZK certification contributes to a lower environmental impact of goat cheese by setting mandatory reduction targets for CO2 emissions, energy and water consumption, with certified companies emitting on average 30% less CO2 per kilogram of cheese through optimization of production processes, sustainable energy and more efficient logistics compared to non-certified producers.

The greatest environmental gain is often achieved in energy consumption during production. Cheese production requires a lot of energy for heating during pasteurization and cooling during ripening. DGZK-certified companies invest in heat exchangers that reuse waste heat, frequency-controlled pumps that only run when necessary, and well-insulated ripening chambers that require less cooling.

Transport and logistics form another important focus point. DGZK encourages short chains where milk from nearby goat farmers is processed. This reduces transport kilometers and thus CO2 emissions. Routes are also optimized in distribution to buyers and combined transport is used where possible.

Packaging material is also part of the environmental impact. DGZK-certified producers must demonstrate that they are working on reduction of packaging material and use recyclable or biodegradable materials where possible. For industrial deliveries, this often means choosing reusable transport packaging instead of disposable material.

The focus on circularity within DGZK leads to innovative solutions. Residual streams such as whey are no longer seen as waste but as raw material for other products. Organic waste is digested for energy generation. This circular approach significantly reduces the total environmental impact of cheese production.

What does DGZK certification cost and when does a goat cheese producer earn this back?

DGZK certification costs a goat cheese producer an average of between 15,000 and 35,000 euros in the first year, including certification costs, consulting and necessary investments, with the payback period usually being two to three years through energy savings, more efficient production, better market position and the ability to ask premium prices for certified products.

The direct costs of certification consist of various components. Registration and audit cost approximately 5,000 to 8,000 euros, depending on company size. Annual inspections cost around 2,000 euros. In addition, there are costs for consulting during the process, usually 5,000 to 10,000 euros. The largest cost item is often the investments in more sustainable production equipment.

Against these costs are various savings. Energy-saving measures lead to lower energy costs, often 15 to 25% reduction. More efficient water use and waste management lower operational costs. Better process control results in less product loss, which directly improves profitability.

The market advantages are at least as important. DGZK-certified producers can ask on average 3 to 5% higher prices for their products. For a medium-sized cheese producer with an annual turnover of 10 million euros, this means 300,000 to 500,000 euros in additional revenue. In addition, certified producers often get priority in tenders from large buyers.

A concrete calculation example: a producer who annually produces 1,000 tons of goat cheese and invests 20,000 euros in DGZK certification, can save approximately 8,000 euros per year with 20% energy savings. With a 3% price increase and maintaining sales volume, revenue increases by 30,000 euros per year. The investment is then paid back within one year.

How DeJong Cheese helps with sustainable goat cheese production

At DeJong Cheese, we understand like no other the challenges that industrial buyers such as food producers face. Since 1995, we have been producing high-quality goat cheese specialties where sustainability and quality go hand in hand. Our extensive range of fresh and ripened goat cheeses is produced according to strict sustainability standards.

What we offer for industrial processors:

• Full transparency about our production processes and sustainability measures
• Consistent quality through controlled production according to fixed recipes
• Flexible packaging options from 5 to 15 kg for efficient processing
• Technical support with product development and applications
• Reliable deliveries with guaranteed shelf life

Our goat cheese products such as fresh goat cheese crumble, spread and industrial pizza toppings are specially developed for large-scale processing. With options for both fresh and frozen delivery, we can respond to different production processes and shelf life needs.

Are you looking for a reliable partner for sustainable goat cheese products? Contact our team via our contact page for a no-obligation conversation about your specific needs. Visit our foodservice page for more information about our complete range. For direct availability, you can also visit one of our sales points. Discover on our homepage how we combine tradition and innovation in our sustainable cheese production.

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