How to track IPW certification in Cepaos
Step-by-step guide to managing Integrated Production of Wine sustainability certification using Cepaos.
What is IPW
Integrated Production of Wine (IPW) is South Africa's environmental sustainability scheme administered by the Wine Certification Authority (formerly the Wine and Spirit Board). IPW certification is required for all wines carrying the sustainability seal and is increasingly demanded by international buyers, especially in Europe and Scandinavia. The scheme covers vineyard practices, cellar operations, and environmental management.
Prerequisites
- IPW membership number entered in Settings > Organisation.
- Vineyard blocks and cellar infrastructure configured in Cepaos.
- Spray diary and water usage records up to date.
Step by step
1. Access IPW tracking
In the sidebar, under Compliance, click IPW Certification. The annual self-assessment form appears with sections pre-populated from your Cepaos data.
2. Complete the vineyard section
Cepaos pulls data from your vineyard module:
| IPW Requirement | Cepaos Source |
|---|---|
| Chemical application records | Spray diary |
| Water usage per hectare | Irrigation records |
| Soil conservation measures | Block configuration notes |
| Biodiversity management | Sustainability module |
Review each item. Add manual entries for anything not captured digitally.
3. Complete the cellar section
The cellar section draws from your cellar book:
- Energy consumption per litre of wine produced.
- Water usage in the cellar.
- Waste management and effluent treatment records.
- Cleaning chemical usage.
4. Upload supporting evidence
Click + Attach on any section to upload lab reports, waste disposal certificates, or third-party audit reports.
5. Generate self-assessment report
Click Generate Report. Cepaos produces a PDF matching the IPW self-assessment format with all data and evidence compiled.
6. Prepare for audit
If selected for an IPW audit, use the generated report as your primary reference. All evidence is linked and timestamped.
Frequently asked questions
Is IPW mandatory?
No. IPW is a voluntary scheme. Farm, cellar and bottler must all be IPW-accredited only if you want to carry the joint Integrity & Sustainability seal; the Wine of Origin seal remains available without IPW.
Can I track IPW and SWNZ or organic together?
Yes. Cepaos supports multiple certification frameworks. Each has its own section under Compliance.
If you have more questions, the support team is available. Contact support.