Over the last year, CCOF has worked with importers, the USDA National Organic Program (NOP), and others to strengthen the integrity of organic imports. Over the coming year, we will be implementing increasingly robust importer certification programs to allow us to effectively review import systems and identify importers of various goods and commodities. In the interim, the NOP has been updating the organic community regarding existing policies and best practices.
Any CCOF-certified importer or CCOF-certified operation sourcing imported products from uncertified importers, brokers, traders, wholesalers, or distributors must be prepared to provide detailed information about imported shipments during inspections. An importer is anyone who directly imports; in other words, the importer of record. Importers must meet the expectations of NOP Interim Instruction 4013 on Maintaining Integrity of Organic Imports, NOP Policy Memo 18-1 on Impact of Fumigation and Irradiation Requirements, and NOP Policy Memo 18-2 Impact of Prohibited Grain Seed Regulations. Fumigated or irradiated product is not eligible for sale as organic and certain products from specific countries are not allowed to be imported into the United States, even if untreated.
If you import or purchase imported products from an uncertified importer, broker, trader, wholesaler, or distributor, you must request and maintain documentation showing that products were not fumigated or irradiated. Be prepared to address the following at your inspection:
As organic trade spreads globally and imports increase, we look forward to working together to ensure that protocols are robust and we deliver the highest level of organic integrity to consumers.