regulatory

Organic Cannabis Certification?

As various states decriminalize or approve both medicinal or recreational cannabis, CCOF Certification Services is frequently asked to help ensure organic cannabis production. As an organization that envisions a world where organic is the norm, we would like to see cannabis production and processing meet organic standards. In fact, it is our understanding that the gray market nature of this production system has resulted in significant agricultural and chemical use issues.

Tags

Notice Regarding Certified Livestock Brokers and Organic Slaughter Eligible Animals

To ensure consumer confidence in organic livestock production, CCOF Certification Services is working with other certifiers, including Oregon Tilth, to clarify implementation of the USDA National Organic Program (NOP) Standards as well as additional oversight we are implementing regarding handling organic animals and identification of organic slaughter eligible animals.
 
Any operation that handles organic animals and represents them as “organic” must be certified per the USDA NOP Standards.

Tags

Expand Your Market Access and Prepare for the FSMA Produce Safety Rule with CCOF

 
The berry harvest has started in earnest here on the Central Coast, and some distributors and buyers are asking producers for evidence of a third-party food safety audit. Some are even beginning to ask their suppliers if they are in compliance with the new Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule.  
 
While CCOF has been certifying operations to the GLOBALG.A.P.

Tags

Requirements for Imported Grain, Bean, and Seed Shipments

This notice has been replaced by the policy announced on April 19, 2021. Learn more.

On May 11, 2017, CCOF Certification Services notified handlers, importers, and others of new requirements for seeking approval for imported grain shipments. Our goal is to help ensure the integrity of organic trade, which is also shared below.

Tags

Update on Court Ruling Against USDA Compost Guidance

On June 20, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California held that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) did not properly issue guidance on the allowance of green waste in compost used for organic production. USDA has 60 days to appeal the decision.

The ruling is the outcome of a federal lawsuit filed against USDA that challenges the USDA National Organic Program (NOP) guidance on the allowance of green waste in organic production systems. The Court held that USDA did not properly issue the guidance because it did not provide for public notice and comment.

Tags

Subscribe to regulatory