Canadian Organic Standards
Historic Equivalency Agreement | Background | What CCOF is Doing to Support You and What You Need to Do | Noteworthy Canadian Organic Labeling Requirements| Regulatory Bodies in Canada | Complete Standards | Additional Information Sources
July 1, 2009 - Historic US/Canadian Organic Standards Equivalency Agreement Reached.
| On July 1, 2009 the long awaited Canadian Organic Regime (COR) becomes effective for organic products sold in Canada. CCOF has prepared our clients for this important organic standards development with the United States’ largest agricultural trading partner. As the implementation date has approached changes have occurred that positively affect most US organic operations. In response, CCOF has modified our programs and documents to ensure that the needs of CCOF clients are met for products sold to, or produced in, Canada. |
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Background
On June 24, 2009 the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) released updated organic regulations for the implementation on July 1, 2009 that included a new Canadian Organic Logo.
On June 18, 2009 the USDA and Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) signed an agreement that recognizes each country’s organic standards as equivalent. This agreement, the first of its kind for the US,
promises to benefit US and Canadian producers, processors and consumers.
Under this equivalency agreement any raw produce grown without Sodium (“Chilean”) Nitrate after July 1, 2009 and processed products that are certified to the National Organic Program (NOP) standards are not required to become certified to the COR standards. Likewise, Canadian organic products certified to COR standards may be sold or labeled in the United States as organically produced. Both the USDA Organic seal and the Canada Organic Biologique logo may be used on certified products from both countries, in addition to the certifier’s logo.
What CCOF is Doing to Support You and What You Need to Do
If your products are not shipped to Canada at any point, you do not have to do anything.
CCOF’s existing Global Market Access (GMA) program has been updated to provide clients with immediate verification of compliance with the NOP/COR Equivalency and Canadian labeling requirements. Download a new copy of Manual III: CCOF International, A Guide to CCOF Global Market Access today to review labeling and other requirements for shipment and sales to Canada.
CCOF clients who sell any organic products directly or indirectly to Canada should enroll in CCOF’s GMA program.GMA applications can be found online at www.ccof.org/international.php.
For Clients currently enrolled in the CCOF GMA program:
- During future inspection and certification processes CCOF will grant NOP/COR Equivalency to all processed goods, raw produce, and other products that are eligible under the NOP/COR Equivalency agreement.
- Effective immediately, CCOF will review all clients enrolled in CCOF’s GMA program and provide documentation of compliance with the equivalency agreement.
- Clients enrolled in the CCOF GMA program who are requested to provide verification by Canadian buyers of NOP/COR Equivalency should contact CCOF at canada@ccof.org.
Clients who are already certified by CCOF to COR:
- These operations should meet the bulk of COR labeling standards and do not need to take further action immediately.
- Should review their labels to updated COR requirements. CCOF will also review labels during upcoming inspections. A summary of specific retail and produce labeling requirements appears below. See Manual III for more detailed information. These operations should meet the bulk of COR labeling standards.
- Clients already certified under CCOF’s GMA Canada program should meet COR labeling requirements already.
Farm/Grower Requirements for Export to Canada:
- No Use of Sodium Nitrate after July 1, 2009 for raw produce sold in Canada. Under the terms of this agreement, after July 1, 2009, raw produce sold in Canada must be produced without Sodium (“Chilean”) Nitrate. Currently certified raw produce and crops in production, labeled, or otherwise in the stream of commerce may be shipped to Canada. Fields do not have to undergo a three-year transition after applications of Sodium Nitrate.
- CCOF clients must be prepared to demonstrate through their production records that raw produce sold in Canada did not receive any applications of Sodium Nitrate after July 1, 2009. The equivalency agreement includes provisions to allow CFIA to conduct audits and other verifications to ensure compliance with these requirements.
- Hydroponic or Aeroponically grown raw produce may not be sold or represented as organic in Canada under this agreement.
Handler/Processor Requirements for Export to Canada:
- Handlers, brokers, or traders selling raw produce to Canada are required to ensure that these crops were grown without Sodium Nitrate after July 1, 2009. At this time, this requirement does not apply to ingredients in processed goods.
- CCOF handlers may utilize affidavits signed by their raw produce supplier’s organic certifier or documentation of compliance on client profiles or certificates. Documentation of compliance to European (EEC 834/2007) or IFOAM standards will also suffice to demonstrate NOP/COR Equivalency.
CCOF Clients located in Canada or with facilities in Canada:
- Are required to enroll in an additional COR Compliance program to meet specific COR standards for their Canadian operations, email canada@ccof.org for more information.
Noteworthy Labeling Requirements for Organic Products Sold in Canada After July 1, 2009
Review CCOF Manual III for additional labeling requirements and submit all labels to CCOF prior to use.
CCOF has also developed this helpful Canada Organic Regime labeling guide to assist you.
- Per CFIA officials, labels that do not meet COR requirements will be subject to minimal enforcement in Canada. Therefore, CCOF recommends clients avoid potential questions from CFIA officials by reviewing their labels, developing reasonable plans to bring labels into compliance and by modifying labels for products shipped to Canada in the near future. A reasonable plan for compliance will be accepted by CCOF for any label that does not meet COR standards. Please contact CCOF to discuss specific timelines and plans for compliance. COR labeling requirements must be addressed during Canada’s 24 month Stream of Commerce implementation period.
- Products certified by CCOF as “organic” (containing 95% or more organic ingredients) and meeting the NOP/COR Equivalency (see above) may use either the NOP or COR seal beginning July 1, 2009. The COR Seal may not be used on any products in the marketplace prior to July 1, 2009. Products from the US or other countries using the COR seal must include a country of origin statement or the “imported” in close proximity to the seal. Copies of the CCOF, USDA, and COR seals can be found at www.ccof.org/downlogo.php. Use of the COR, NOP, or CCOF seal is optional.
- Products may not use the NOP’s “100% Organic” claim. Products consisting of 95% or more organic ingredients may only be labeled “organic”, “organically grown”, “organically produced” of similar claims.
- Products containing 70%-95% organic ingredients may only be labeled as “X% Organic Ingredients”. US NOP labeling for “Made With Organic…” products will not meet COR standards and a reasonable plan for compliance must be submitted to CCOF if used on products sold in Canada. These products may not use the NOP or COR seal but may use the CCOF seal.
- All organic products must include the phrase “Certified organic by CCOF” somewhere on the package.
- Wines sold in Canada and produced to NOP standards may bear the COR Seal or CCOF seal and may be labeled “organic” even if they include added Sulfites.
Regulatory Bodies that make up the COR Back to top
- Canada Organic Office: Michel Saumur, National Manager,
Tel: (613) 221-7165/ Fax: (613) 221-7296, msaumur@inspection.gc.ca,
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
159 Cleopatra Drive, Ottawa, ON K1A 0Y9
- CFIA- Implements standards, approves accreditors and accredits certifiers (with accreditor recommendation), negotiates equivalency agreements.
- Accreditation Bodies
- Certifiers- CCOF and others within and outside of Canada.
- Canadian General Standards Board- Develops standards and materials lists as part of public consensus-based process. Composed of several working groups: PSL, Crops, Livestock, Processing.
Complete Standards Back to top
Additional Information Sources Back to top
Please call CCOF at (831) 423-2263 or email us at canada@ccof.org with any international organic marketplace questions.
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