Organic Products in Canada
Contents:
Labeling Requirements for Organic products Sold in Canada
Operations Outside Canada
Operations Within Canada
Labeling
Labeling Requirements for Organic Products Sold in Canada Back to top
CCOF has developed this helpful Canada Organic Regime labeling guide to explain the requirements for labels on organic products sold in Canada. These requirements apply whether the product originates from outside or inside Canada. All products being shipped to Canada under the US-Canada Organic Equivalency Arrangement must meet the COR labeling requirements.
Please submit all labels to CCOF prior to printing for approval.
The CCOF, USDA, and COR seals for use on labels can be found at www.ccof.org/downlogo.php.
Operations Outside Canada
Information for Operations in the US Whose Products May Be Shipped to Canada
Equivalency Agreement Back to top
On July 1, 2008, the US National Organic Program (NOP) and the Canadian Organic Regime (COR) signed a historic organic standards equivalency agreement. Under the terms of this agreement, product certified to the NOP standards may be shipped to Canada and use the “Canada Organic” seal so long as the products meet three critical variances.
Under this equivalency agreement any products that are certified to the National Organic Program (NOP) standards are not required to become certified to the COR standards. Likewise, Canadian organic products certified to COR standards may be sold or labeled in the United States as organically produced. Both the USDA Organic seal and the Canada Organic Biologique logo may be used on certified products from both countries, in addition to the certifier’s logo. NOP certified products entering Canada must meet the Canadian labeling requirements.
For more information on the Equivalency Arrangement, see:
Critical Variances Back to top
Any NOP certified product sold as organic in Canada must meet the following three critical variances:
- All products must not be produced using sodium nitrate (Chilean nitrate)
- All products must not be produced using hydroponic or aeroponic methods
- All animal products must be from animals that were raised according to the livestock stocking rates as set forth in the Canadian Standard (CAN/CGSB 32.310-2006)
Attestation Requirements Back to top
All NOP certified products crossing the border in to Canada must be accompanied by an Attestation Statement that the product has been produced in compliance with the terms of the US-Canada Organic Equivalency Arrangement, including having met the three critical variances described above. This attestation statement must be included on accompanying documents or packaging for ALL shipments of organic products exported to Canada from the United States. Products that do not have accompanying documentation with this statement may be refused entry into Canada.
If you are a CCOF certified operation, there are two ways for you to provide the required Attestation Statement.
1. Enroll in the CCOF Global Market Access program and request review to the US-Canada Organic Equivalency Arrangement. CCOF will then review your products, and their ingredients where relevant, to verify that your products meet the terms of the equivalency arrangement. The required attestation statement will appear on your Global Market Access (GMA) certificate. To ensure smooth export of your product, you will want to provide your GMA certificate with shipment documentation. Clients enrolled in the CCOF GMA program who are requested to provide verification by Canadian buyers of US-Canada Organic Equivalency should contact CCOF at canada@ccof.org.
2. Complete the Attestation Document (e-form). According to the terms of the US-Canada Organic Equivalency Arrangement, the Attestation Statement does not need to be provided by the certifier (CCOF). This statement may be made by the members of the supply chain. If you have reason to believe that your product meets the terms of the arrangement, you may complete this Attestation Document and provide it to Canadian Border authorities as requested.
Critical Variance Risk Assessment for Equivalency Back to top
Two of the critical variances that must be verified before NOP certified product may be sold as organic in Canada are the use of sodium nitrate and hydroponic/ aeroponic methods in crop production. CCOF researched the use of sodium nitrate, as well as hydroponic and aeroponic growing systems, and found that there are many crops (such as rice, coffee, or grapes) that have little risk of being prohibited due to use of these production practices.
To ensure the US-Canada Organic Equivalency Arrangement verification process is as simple and efficient as possible, CCOF created a list of crops that are at risk of being grown using one of the prohibited production techniques (see below). For any of the crops listed below in the "high risk" category, CCOF will verify that they were grown without the use of sodium nitrate and/or hydroponic or aeroponic production before we will issue a Canadian equivalency verification document.
For crops that CCOF has identified as "no risk" CCOF will not seek additional documentation that they comply with the terms of the US-Canada Organic Equivalency Arrangement.* All livestock products must be verified as having met the stocking density critical variance.
CCOF has identified the following crops as at risk of being grown using sodium nitrate, and will require verification prior to verifying equivalency with Canadian requirements:
- Carrots
- Celery
- Cole crops: including kale, collards, etc.
- Fresh tomatoes
- Greenhouse crops, including tomatoes
- Leafy greens
- Livestock feed crops produced in the Midwest
- Onions
- Potatoes
- Winter citrus from the Southeast United States
- Winter vegetables: including broccoli, cauliflower, etc.
Crops considered high risk for hydroponic or aeroponic production:
- Greenhouse Crops: including herbs and tomatoes
Verifying Compliance with US-Canada Organic Equivalency Arrangement Back to top
- CCOF grower clients must be prepared to demonstrate through their production records that raw produce sold in Canada did not receive any applications of Sodium Nitrate after July 1, 2009. The equivalency agreement includes provisions to allow CFIA to conduct audits and other verifications to ensure compliance with these requirements.
- CCOF handlers may utilize affidavits signed by their suppliers or documentation of compliance on client profiles or certificates. Affidavits signed by a supplier's certifier may also be used but are not required. Documentation of compliance to European (EEC 834/2007) or IFOAM standards will also suffice to demonstrate US-Canada Equivalency.
Operations Within Canada
Information for Operations in Canada Back to top
Any operation or portion of an operation located in Canada that is producing organic food products is required to be certified directly to the Canadian Organic Regime standards. In order to obtain this certification from CCOF, organic operations located in Canada must:
If part of your operation is in Canada and part is in the United States, it is necessary for you to have two separate certifications with CCOF. The facilities in Canada must be certified to COR, and cannot be certified to the NOP. The facilities in the US must be certified to the NOP, and cannot be certified to COR.
Contact canada@ccof.org for more information about how to enroll in the CCOF COR Compliance program.
Background Back to top
On June 24, 2009 the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) released updated organic regulations for the implementation on July 1, 2009 that included a new Canadian Organic Logo.
On June 18, 2009 the USDA and Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) signed an agreement that recognizes each country’s organic standards as equivalent. This agreement, the first of its kind for the US, promises to benefit US and Canadian producers, processors and consumers.
On July 1, 2009 Canadian Organic Regime (COR) standards became effective for organic products sold in Canada. CCOF prepared our clients for this important organic standards development with the United States’ largest agricultural trading partner. CCOF modified our programs and documents to ensure that the needs of CCOF clients are met for products sold to, or produced in, Canada
Full implementation of the US-Canada Organic Equivalency Arrangement came into effect on July 1, 2011. This means full enforcement of the rules regarding export of U.S. certified organic crops and products that are sent, either directly or indirectly, to Canada. Prior to this date, the Canadian Organic Office allowed a "stream of commerce" policy while the industry readied itself for full compliance with the requirements.
Regulatory Bodies in Canada Back to top
- Canada Organic Office (COO): Michel Saumur, National Manager, Tel: (613) 221-7165/ Fax: (613) 221-7296, msaumur@inspection.gc.ca, Canadian Food Inspection Agency
159 Cleopatra Drive, Ottawa, ON K1A 0Y9
- Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) - Implements standards, approves accreditors and accredits certifiers (with accreditor recommendation), negotiates equivalency agreements.
- Canadian General Standards Board- Develops standards and materials lists as part of public consensus-based process. Composed of several working groups: PSL, Crops, Livestock, Processing.
Additional Information Back to top
Organic Trade Association (OTA) and the OTA Canada office have been working to keep the US organic market informed regarding the Canadian organic program and is one of the best sources of information with a US perspective. They are facilitating a Canada/US equivalency task force that CCOF is participating in on behalf of our members.
List of CCOF COR Compliance Program Certified Operations
Code: pr783
Name: Cadbury dba Green & Black’s USA (Gladstone)
Mailing Address: 277 Gladstone Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M6J 3L9 CANADA
Facility Address: 277 Gladstone Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M6J 3L9 CANADA
Phone: 416-530-4055
Certified Since: October 30, 2008
Complexity: Handling
Products: chocolate
Code: pr331
Name: Oppenheimer Group
Mailing Address: 262 Chapman Road Bellevue Bldg #204 Newark, DE 19702 USA
Facility Address 1: Suite 101-11 Burbidge Road Coquitlam, British Columbia V3K 782 CANADA
Facility Address 2: 234175B Wrangler Road SE Rocky View, Alberta T1X 0K3 CANADA
Phone: 302-533-0779
Certified Since: June 24, 2003
Complexity: Handling
Products: apples, cherries, cucumber, kiwi, mangoes, pears, peppers, plums, tomatoes
Code: pr788
Name: Cadbury, Green Road Distribution Center
Mailing Address: 400 Green Road Stoney Creek, Ontario, L8E 2B4 CANADA
Facility Address: 400 Green Road Stoney Creek, Ontario, L8E 2B4 CANADA
Phone: 905-664-3093
Certified Since: October 24, 2008
Complexity: Handling
Products: chocolate
Code: pr491
Name: Dan-D Foods Ltd.
Mailing Address: 11760 Machrina Way Richmond, British Columbia V7A 4V1 CANADA
Facility Address: 11760 Machrina Way Richmond, British Columbia V7A 4V1 CANADA
Phone: 604-274-3263
Certified Since: May 18, 2006
Complexity: Handling
Products: nuts, dried fruits, grains, flours
Code: pr320
Name: Campbell Soup Supply Co
Mailing Address: 6200 Franklin Blvd. Sacramento, CA 95824 USA
Facility Address: 60 Birmingham Street. Toronto, Ontario, M8V 2B8 CANADA
Phone: 916-395-5012
Certified Since: March 1, 2003
Complexity: Handling
Products: soups
Please call CCOF at (831) 423-2263 or email us at canada@ccof.org with any international organic marketplace questions. |
