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What is Organic Certification?
The USDA National Organic Program (NOP) is administered by United States Department of Agriculture. In the USA, an organic labeled product must be certified by an approved USDA organic certification agency (NFC is such an agency) The USDA – NOP regulations can been downloaded by going to : www.ams.usda.gov/nop
When your company applies for organic certification, you are indicating to the certifying agency that you i) understand the rules and regulations of the NOP ii) your facility and its manufacturing process functions in a manner compliant with these requirements and iii) you are submitting your company’s Organic System Plan (OSP) that describes and reflects your facility’s compliance with the NOP
Do I need organic certification?
If you want to make a label claim that your product is organic you probably need organic certification. If you grow, manufacture, or repackage organic products and want to label your product as organic you are legally obligated to organic certify your facility (a company that sells less than $5,000.00 a year of organic product, or does not open previous organic certified products, or does not wish to label the product as organic, are exempt from organic certification).
If I am not certified organic may I legally use the word "organic?"
Producers and handlers that qualify for exemption or exclusion from certification may use the term "organic" in compliance with the labeling requirements specific to their exemption or exclusion (see section 205.101 of NOP regulations).
What is the process to become organic certified?
The following describes the NFC organic certification program:
- Step 1: Applicant requests organic certification from NFC.
- Step 2: Applicant completes Organic System Plan (OSP) Questionnaire and application, attaching appropriate attachments.
- Step 3: NFC reviews application to determine that forms have been completed, and the organic plan is complete. Contractual Agreements signed.
- Step 4: Inspection is arranged
- Step 5: Inspector conducts on site inspection. Inspector files his/her report to NFC
- Step 6: Application and inspection report sent to NFC review committee for organic
certification approval
How much does it cost to become organic certified?
Though each company’s certification is site specific, the general outline of costs are the following:
- Yearly Organic Fee: $1,000.00 (includes all products certified organic by facility regardless of number of SKU’s or changes throughout the year)
- Original Organic System Plan Application: $450.00
- Inspection: Varies. Call NFC for more information
How long does it take to become organic certified?
Though this can vary due to time of year, nature of organic application and location of organic facility, NFC strives to complete the certification process in 4-6 weeks from the time we receive your application.
Can NFC help complete my application or develop my organic certification program?
NFC will be happy to answer some questions you may have. However, we are a certifier, not a consultant. We will be happy to refer you to an organic consultant who we trust that can develop your program.
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