Labeling and Logos

LABELING

The CCOF name and seal (sunflower logo) are registered trademarks owned by CCOF, Inc. Only CCOF Certified operations or those with an agreement of use CCOF’s Name and Seal may use the CCOF name and seal. All use of the CCOF name and seal or USDA logo or name by CCOF certified operations must be approved prior to printing and sales as organic or "CCOF certified". Review of labels prior to use can save your operation considerable expense and difficulty with compliance issues.

Certified operations may only use the name/seal on products CCOF has specifically certified as organically grown, organically produced or organically processed in accordance with CCOF labeling standards described here and in the National Organic Program 7 CFR Part 205. All use of the CCOF seal is subject to the review and approval or revocation by CCOF, Inc. CCOF certified operations are entitled to use the USDA seal in accordance with Subpart D, Section 205.300 of the Final Rule. Clients with any questions about product labeling should contact CCOF staff for additional guidance.

Basic CCOF Labeling Requirements - All operations must have clear and distinct labeling that distinguishes between products that are: CCOF certified, organic but may be exempt by state or Federal law, certified transitional, and non-organic product. The clear and distinct labeling requirement does not apply in situations where organic product is being marketed as conventional. All operations must submit all labels with any organic claim to CCOF to verify compliance with CCOF labeling standards. The CCOF name and/or seal may not be used on products from acreage/animals/facilities in Certification Pending status. Operations in Inactive status may not use the CCOF name/seal. Contact CCOF for CCOF products that contain the seal, or for graphics of CCOF seal artwork.

CCOF Labeling Requirements for Retailers - The CCOF name/seal may be used in conjunction with a chain of retail stores only if all stores in that chain have been CCOF certified. If not all stores are CCOF certified in a retail chain, only the individual stores may use the CCOF name/seal.

Transitional Labeling Requirements - CCOF maintains a separate logo for transitional product; only CCOF producers may use this logo and only on products that are CCOF Certified Transitional. Certified Transitional product cannot be represented as organic in any way. Product sold as CCOF Certified Transitional must include the statement "CCOF Certified Transitional" on product labeling.

The CCOF Foundation logo is a registered trademark owned by the CCOF Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization. Only CCOF Foundation donors or those with an explicit agreement with the CCOF Foundation may use the CCOF Foundation logo. All use of the CCOF Foundation logo must be approved prior to printing and distribution. We suggest donors explicitly call out the charitable cause of the donation alongside the CCOF Foundation logo.