Organic certification

Organic certification is a certification process for producers of organic food and other organic agricultural products. In general, any business directly involved in food production can be certified, including seed suppliers, farmers, food processors, retailers and restaurants.

Requirements for certification

Organic certification requires that farmers and handlers document their processes and get inspected every year. Organic on-site inspections account for every component of the operation, including, but not limited to, seed sources, soil conditions, crop health, weed and pest management, water systems, inputs, contamination and commingling risks and prevention, and record-keeping. Tracing organic products from start to finish is part of the USDA organic promise.

Certification process

The process for organic certification includes the following steps:

1. Application: A farm or business that wants to become organic certified submits an application to a certifying agent. The applicant receives a copy of the agent's organic system plan (OSP) to complete.
2. Review: The certifying agent reviews the application to verify that practices comply with USDA organic regulations.
3. Inspection: An inspector conducts an on-site inspection of the applicant's operation.
4. Report: The inspector writes a report and sends it to the certifying agent.
5. Decision: The certifying agent reviews the application and the inspector’s report to determine if the applicant complies with the USDA organic regulations.
6. Annual Inspection and Review: Once certified, the farm or business will go through this process annually, including an on-site inspection, in order to remain certified.

Certifying agents

Certifying agents are accredited by the USDA and are located throughout the United States and around the world. Certifying agents are responsible for ensuring USDA organic products meet or exceed all organic standards. Certifying agents review applications for certification eligibility, perform inspections, make certification decisions, and maintain records.

Benefits of organic certification

Organic certification allows a farm or processing facility to sell, label, and represent their products as organic. The organic brand is a consumer product identity, which has been built on a foundation of trust and integrity. It provides consumers with more choices in the marketplace.

See also

• Organic farming
• Organic food
• Sustainable agriculture
• USDA organic regulations