crisis resilience

Accredited Certifiers Association (ACA) Response to COVID-19

The Accredited Certifiers Association (ACA) and the International Organic Inspectors Association (IOIA) are collaborating to develop an industry-wide pandemic contingency plan. We are actively monitoring developments with Novel Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and responding as needed to support certified operators and organic inspectors.

Our foremost concern is the health and safety of our staff, inspectors, individuals at the operations we certify and their families.

CCOF Certification is Here for You During the COVID-19 Pandemic

We know that this is a challenging time for everyone, especially businesses and food producers. Contact your Certification Service Specialist or inbox@ccof.org if you need a deadline extension or if you are struggling to pay a fee.

We are continuing to conduct organic inspections in a safe manner with social distancing measures.

CCOF Launching 100% Virtual Inspections During COVID-19 Pandemic

Organic certification is part of the critical infrastructure of food and agriculture, an essential service. During a public health pandemic with widespread stay-at-home orders, CCOF is using novel inspection techniques to continue providing essential food system services while adhering to social distancing practices as recommended by government health agencies.

CCOF Update on Coronavirus (COVID-19) & Organic Inspections

Read the most recent update from March 23, 2020.

We are actively monitoring developments with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) and pivoting as needed to support our staff and clients.

Beginning March 16th, most certification staff will work from home.

CDC Issues Interim COVID-19 Guidance for Agricultural Workers and Employees

The United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration released recommendations on protecting agricultural workings from exposure to COVID-19. The guidance includes key points to consider, workplace safety checklists specific to agricultural employers, cleaning and sanitation guidelines, and procedures for managing an illness among agricultural employees.

Client Notice for Inspections During the COVID-19 Pandemic

To continue to certify clients to the organic standards, CCOF is proceeding with organic inspections with modifications to protect the safety of our inspectors, our clients, and our communities. We encourage all clients to remain inspection-ready and maintain good documentation of their procedures.

Inspections will minimize COVID-19 risk by limiting the onsite time and using virtual methods whenever possible for segments of the inspection (i.e., interview and recordkeeping portions of the inspection, such as Organic System Plan review and audit trail exercises).

Coronavirus (COVID-19) CCOF Inspection Policy Update

Effective today, all CCOF organic inspections occurring in the United States are postponed with the exception of those necessary for new certifications with production within 60 days (i.e., new applications, add acreages, new facilities). Inspections for new certifications supports essential business infrastructure for our clients. These inspections may occur under the following conditions:

Expanding Organic Offerings During the Pandemic

In CCOF's recent blog post, “We are Essential: Pivoting to Stay Afloat,” Jamie Collins, of Serendipity Farms described a number of innovative ways they have responded to the challenges of farming during the global pandemic. Resiliency is one of the hallmarks of flourishing farms and responding quickly and appropriately to crises is key to thriving and growing as an operation.

Food Safety in the Age of COVID-19: FDA Guidance for Producers

For these and other Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announcements and guidance for food producers, please visit the FDA’s webpage on Food Safety and the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Excerpts of FDA guidance relevant for food producers, facilities, and retail establishments are below:

Currently there is no evidence of food or food packaging being associated with transmission of COVI

Local Food System COVID-19 Resource Hub Launched

The USDA recently announced the launch of a hub designed to assist local and regional food producers as USDA and its partners develop, share, and assess resources on local and regional food system responses to COVID-19. Organic producers may benefit from this new resource.

Learn more about the update from USDA.

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crisis resilience

Accredited Certifiers Association (ACA) Response to COVID-19

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CCOF Certification is Here for You During the COVID-19 Pandemic

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CCOF Launching 100% Virtual Inspections During COVID-19 Pandemic

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CCOF Update on Coronavirus (COVID-19) & Organic Inspections

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CDC Issues Interim COVID-19 Guidance for Agricultural Workers and Employees

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Client Notice for Inspections During the COVID-19 Pandemic

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Coronavirus (COVID-19) CCOF Inspection Policy Update

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Expanding Organic Offerings During the Pandemic

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Food Safety in the Age of COVID-19: FDA Guidance for Producers

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Local Food System COVID-19 Resource Hub Launched

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