Regenerative Organic Certified™ with CCOF

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CCOF is proud to offer the Regenerative Organic Certified™ (ROC™) 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 ROC™ program. ROA oversees and maintains the ROC™ Framework (standards), which can be found on the ROC™ website Resources page. USDA NOP organic certification is the foundation of ROC™, so applicants must be in pursuit or have achieved organic certification with CCOF as a baseline. 

ROC™ encompasses three pillars: Soil Health, Animal Welfare, and Social Fairness, and has three levels of certification: ROC Bronze, ROC Silver, and ROC 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 the ROC™ pillars and levels in the ROC™ Program Manual and the ROC™ Framework on the ROC™ website Resources page.

How to Apply

For current CCOF-certified organic operations, the application process is as follows:

  1. Review all ROC™ governing documents located on the ROC™ website Resources page. Contact info@regenorganic.org with any questions.
     

  2. Apply with ROA to become Regenerative Organic Certified via the online application located on the ROC™ website Resources page. Indicate CCOF as your organic certifier on the application.

  3. ROA completes the initial review and will assign your certification to CCOF.
     
  4. CCOF will conduct the inspection and when possible, combine it with your USDA NOP organic visit.
     
  5. CCOF will review the inspection report and recommend a certification decision to ROA.
     
  6. If no issues arise, ROA will issue the ROC™ certificate.
     
  7. Once certification is granted, annual inspections will review practices for compliance to both organic regulations and ROC™. 
     

For operations that are not CCOF-certified organic, the application process is as follows:

  1. New CCOF applicants should apply to CCOF for organic certification and apply to ROA for ROC™ concurrently.
     
  2. Download and complete the CCOF organic certification application. Indicate in the “Tell us about your operation” field if you are interested in also applying for the ROC™ program.
     
  3. Review all ROC™ governing documents on the ROC™ Resources page. Contact info@regenorganic.org with any questions.
     

  4. Apply with ROA to become Regenerative Organic Certified via the online application located on the ROC™ website Resources page. Indicate CCOF as your organic certifier on the application.

  5. CCOF reviews your organic application for completeness and ability to comply. CCOF will request additional information if needed.
     
  6. ROA reviews the ROC™ application for completeness and ability to comply. You will be assigned to CCOF for inspection when the initial review is complete.
     
  7. Once both applications are approved, we will move to inspection. If possible, the ROC™ inspection will be combined with the operation's initial organic inspection.
     
  8. CCOF will review both program inspection reports and recommend a ROC™ decision to ROA.
     
  9. If no issues arise, CCOF will grant organic certification and ROA will grant ROC™.
     
  10. Once certification is granted, annual inspections will review practices for compliance to both organic regulations and the ROC™ standards. 

For ROC™  fee information, please review the CCOF Certification Services Program Manual and the Cost and Fee Structure located on the ROC™ website Resources page.

ROC Appeals

Operations appealing a CCOF certification decision for the ROCTM program shall submit their appeal to Caitlin Slay, the ROC™ Program Manager, by emailing ROC@ccof.org.. Details regarding the ROC™ appeals process can be found in the CCOF Certification Services Program Manual.

ROC Complaints and Investigations

Stakeholders wishing to file a complaint with CCOF pertaining to the ROC™ program may submit their complaint to Caitlin Slay, the ROC™ Program Manager, by emailing ROC@ccof.org.. Details regarding the ROC™ complaint and investigation process can be found in the CCOF Certification Services Program Manual.

Regenerative Organic Certification FAQs

Who can apply for ROC™?

CCOF is offering the ROC™ 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 ROC™ to operations holding organic certification with outside certifiers.

How much does ROC™ cost? How long does it take to gain ROC™?

CCOF will bill an annual fee per ROC™ 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 ROC™ fees here.

Operations that are new to organic certification and ROC™ can expect the process to take roughly three months. You can read more about the organic certification process here. ROC™ should happen concurrently.