Regenerative Organic Certified® with CCOF

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CCOF is proud to offer the Regenerative Organic Certified® program in partnership with the Regenerative Organic Alliance (ROA). ROA is the Oversight and Scheme Management Body for the Regenerative Organic Certified® program. ROA oversees and maintains this program’s Framework (standards) which can be found on the Regenerative Organic Certified® website Resources page. 

The Regenerative Organic Certified® Framework requires all operations to be certified organic as a baseline. The Framework then builds on the organic regulations with three Regenerative Organic Certified® pillars: Soil Health, Animal Welfare, and Farmer and Worker Fairness. Operations can achieve three levels of certification for the Regenerative Organic Certified® program: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Each level requires the implementation of a different number and scope of Regenerative Organic Certified® practices. Operations can learn more about the program’s pillars and levels in the Regenerative Organic Certified® Program Manual and the Regenerative Organic Certified® Framework on this Resources page.

CCOF piloted the Regenerative Organic Certified® program in 2022 and 2023 to over 60 operations that held CCOF organic certification. We are pleased to now offer this program permanently to certified organic operations located in the United States. Effective January 1, 2024, operations can achieve certification for the Regenerative Organic Certified® program as a standalone program with CCOF, or bundle this program with our suite of other certifications. CCOF aims to streamline inspections and reviews for all our bundled clients, easing the process of managing multiple certifications with our excellent certification service and support.

How to Apply

If you are already certified organic, the application process is as follows:

  1. Review all Regenerative Organic Certified® governing documents located on the Regenerative Organic Certified® website Resources page. Contact info@regenorganic.org with any questions.
     

  2. Apply with ROA to become Regenerative Organic Certified® via the online application, and inform ROA that you prefer CCOF as your certifier for the Regenerative Organic Certified® program.

  3. ROA will provide your operation with a Regenerative Organic System Plan (ROSP) and other application paperwork. Once you return completed paperwork to the ROA, they will assign your certification to CCOF.
     
  4. Once assigned to CCOF, complete a CCOF Regenerative Organic Certified® contract. Once the contract is completed, CCOF will conduct an initial review of your Regenerative Organic Certified® application for completeness and ability to comply. CCOF will request additional information if needed.
     
  5. Once our initial review is complete, we will conduct an inspection. If you hold certification with CCOF for other programs (i.e., USDA organic), we will aim to combine your audits and reviews for multiple CCOF programs whenever possible. 
     
  6. CCOF will review the inspection report and recommend a certification decision to ROA.
     
  7. If no issues arise, ROA will issue the Regenerative Organic Certified® certificate.
     
  8. Once certification is granted, annual inspections will review practices for compliance to the Regenerative Organic Certified® standards along with standards for any other CCOF certification that you are enrolled in.
     

If you are applying for Regenerative Organic Certified® concurrently with another CCOF program, the application process is as follows:

  1. New applicants should apply with ROA for Regenerative Organic Certified® concurrently with applications to CCOF for our other program(s) (i.e., organic, food safety, or grass-fed).
     
  2. Indicate in your application with CCOF that you are applying for Regenerative Organic Certified® concurrently and inform the ROA that you prefer CCOF as your certifier for the Regenerative Organic Certified® program.
     
  3. Review all Regenerative Organic Certified® governing documents on this Resources page. Contact info@regenorganic.org with any questions.
     
  4. CCOF reviews your organic/grass-fed/food safety application for completeness and ability to comply. CCOF will request additional information if needed.
     
  5. ROA will provide your operation with a Regenerative Organic System Plan (ROSP) and other application paperwork. Once you return completed paperwork to the ROA, they will assign your certification to CCOF.
     
  6. Once assigned to CCOF, complete a CCOF Regenerative Organic Certified® contract. Once the contract is completed, CCOF will conduct an initial review of your Regenerative Organic Certified® application for completeness and ability to comply. CCOF will request additional information if needed.
     
  7. Once all applications are approved, we will move to inspection. If possible, the Regenerative Organic Certified® inspection will be combined with inspections for other CCOF programs.
     
  8. CCOF will review all program inspection reports and recommend a Regenerative Organic Certified® decision to ROA.
     
  9. Once certification is granted, annual inspections will review practices for compliance with the Regenerative Organic Certified® standards along with standards for any other CCOF certification that you are enrolled in.

For Regenerative Organic Certified® fee information, please review the CCOF Certification Services Program Manual and the Cost and Fee Structure located on ROA's website Resources page.

Regenerative Organic Certified® Appeals

Operations appealing a CCOF certification decision for the Regenerative Organic Certified® program shall submit their appeal to to the CCOF Regenerative Organic Certified® Program Manager by emailing ROC@ccof.org. Details regarding the Regenerative Organic Certified® appeals process can be found in the CCOF Certification Services Program Manual.

Regenerative Organic Certified® Complaints and Investigations

Stakeholders wishing to file a complaint with CCOF pertaining to the Regenerative Organic Certified® program may complete our online complaint form. Details regarding the Regenerative Organic Certified® complaint and investigation process can be found in the CCOF Certification Services Program Manual.

Regenerative Organic Certification FAQs

Who can apply for Regenerative Organic Certified®?

In 2022 and 2023, CCOF offered the Regenerative Organic Certified® program to farms and ranches located in the United States that held USDA organic certification with CCOF. This included new applicants. Effective January 1, 2024, we also offer the Regenerative Organic Certified® program to operations holding organic certification with outside certifiers

How much does Regenerative Organic Certified® cost? How long does it take to gain?

CCOF will bill an annual fee per each Regenerative Organic Certified® pillar as well as inspection fees based on time and travel. January 1, 2024, CCOF will bill a one-time application review fee. You can read more on CCOF’s fees in our CCOF Certification Services Program Manual. All other fees will be billed by ROA. You can read more on Regenerative Organic Certified® fees here.

Achieving certification for the Regenerative Organic Certified® takes roughly four months once the ROA assigns your operation to CCOF. Operations should also factor in additional time for the initial application process with the ROA. If you are also applying for certification for another CCOF certification service, you should apply concurrently.