CCOF is proud to offer the Regenerative Organic Certified® program in partnership with the Regenerative Organic Alliance (ROA). Current and prospective organic clients with CCOF can now bundle both organic and regenerative programs under one certification agency!
ROA is the Oversight and Scheme Management Body for the Regenerative Organic Certified® program. ROA oversees and maintains this programs Framework (standards), which can be found on the Regenerative Organic Certified® website Resources page. USDA NOP organic certification is the foundation of being Regenerative Organic Certified® so applicants must be in pursuit or have achieved organic certification with CCOF as a baseline.
The Regenerative Organic Certified® program encompasses three pillars: Soil Health, Animal Welfare, and Social Fairness and has three levels of certification: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Each level requires the implementation of a different number and scope of regenerative organic practices. Operations are required to improve through the different levels over the years to maintain certification. Operations can learn more about these pillars in the Regenerative Organic Certified® Program Manual and the Regenerative Organic Certified® Framework on this Resources page.
How to Apply
For current CCOF-certified organic operations, the application process is as follows:
- Review all Regenerative Organic Certified® governing documents located on the Regenerative Organic Certified® website Resources page. Contact info@regenorganic.org with any questions.
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Apply with ROA to become Regenerative Organic Certified® via the online application located on this Resources page. Indicate CCOF as your organic certifier on the application.
- ROA completes the initial review and will assign your certification to CCOF.
- CCOF will conduct the inspection and when possible, combine it with your USDA NOP organic visit.
- CCOF will review the inspection report and recommend a certification decision to ROA.
- If no issues arise, ROA will issue the Regenerative Organic Certified® certificate.
- Once certification is granted, annual inspections will review practices for compliance to both organic regulations and Regenerative Organic Certified® standards.
For operations that are not CCOF-certified organic, the application process is as follows:
- New CCOF applicants should apply to CCOF for organic certification and apply to ROA for Regenerative Organic Certified® concurrently.
- Download and complete the CCOF organic certification application. Indicate you are interested in also applying for the Regenerative Organic Certified® program.
- Review all Regenerative Organic Certified® governing documents on this Resources page. Contact info@regenorganic.org with any questions.
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Apply with ROA to become Regenerative Organic Certified® via the online application located on the Regenerative Organic Certified® website Resources page. Indicate CCOF as your organic certifier on the application.
- CCOF reviews your organic application for completeness and ability to comply. CCOF will request additional information if needed.
- ROA reviews the Regenerative Organic Certified® application for completeness and ability to comply. You will be assigned to CCOF for inspection when the initial review is complete.
- Once both applications are approved, we will move to inspection. If possible, the Regenerative Organic Certified® inspection will be combined with the operation's initial organic inspection.
- CCOF will review both program inspection reports and recommend a Regenerative Organic Certified® decision to ROA.
- If no issues arise, CCOF will grant organic certification and ROA will grant Regenerative Organic Certified® certification.
- Once certification is granted, annual inspections will review practices for compliance to both organic regulations and the Regenerative Organic Certified® standards.
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 Caitlin Slay, the 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 submit their complaint to Caitlin Slay, the Regenerative Organic Certified® Program Manager, by emailing ROC@ccof.org. 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®?
CCOF is offering the Regenerative Organic Certified® program to farms and ranches located in the United States and holding USDA organic certification with CCOF. This includes new applicants. We are not offering Regenerative Organic Certified® 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 Regenerative Organic Certified® pillar as well as inspection fees based on time and travel. 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.
Operations that are new to organic certification and Regenerative Organic Certified® can expect the process to take roughly three months. You can read more about the organic certification process here. Applying to be Regenerative Organic Certified® should happen concurrently.