At this point, you’re likely familiar with the including the initial on-paper review, the inspection and subsequent report, and answering any remaining questions to grant your certificate. But what next?
OSP Updates: We welcome updates anytime! In fact, we encourage them!
As you settle into organic production, you may find you are interested in new inputs, land, products, ingredients, equipment, or systems depending on your activities. As your business changes, please remember to update your Organic System Plan before making those changes.
We are here to ensure your activities comply with the USDA NOP standards, and the products you produce can get the organic recognition they deserve.
Giving CCOF as much notice as possible gives us the opportunity to review those changes before you need to make them. We do our best to review all updates in a timely fashion and will reach out if we need more information to approve a change. All updates can be submitted to inbox@ccof.org for processing, and you can reach out to your Certification Service Specialist (listed in your MyCCOF Portal and on your Compliance Report) at any time with questions.
Inspection: We will be back!
One of our primary responsibilities as a certifier is to verify that you are practicing the plan laid out in your application (your Organic System Plan). Short of helping pick carrots with you every day (though that might be a lot of fun), there needs to be a system between us that confirms you are doing what you had planned. This is where recordkeeping comes in.
The first inspection is in part to confirm that you have a strong recordkeeping system mapped out. The next visit, occurring in the next calendar year, will look to see your captured records. The easier records are to understand, the smoother and more affordable your inspection will be.
Renewals: May we have this next dance?
Picture it now: you’ve made it. You’re certified organic. You’ve got a certificate framed on the wall, your first inspection is far behind you, organic products are out the door, and things are clicking. November rolls around, and you see a note from CCOF. Fear not! We aren’t asking you to start all over! We just want to know if you would like to keep our certification dance going.
