U.S., Canada Agree Their Organic Standards ‘Equivalent’

A product certified as organic in the United States is also certified organic in Canada, and vice versa.

Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kathleen Merrigan announced June 17 that an “equivalency agreement” has been reached between the two trading partners. Merrigan made the announcement at the All Things Organic Trade Show and Conference in Chicago.

The agreement follows a review by both nations of the other’s organic certification.

It is expected to expand opportunities for organic producers in both countries.

”The production of organic foods is a vibrant growth opportunity for American agriculture, and by agreeing on a common set of organic principles with Canada, we are expanding market opportunities for our producers to sell their products abroad,” Merrigan said. “Today’s agreement between the world’s two largest organic trading partners is an important first step towards global harmonization of organic standards.”

Under a determination of equivalence, producers and processors that are certified to the National Organic Program (NOP) standards by a USDA-accredited certifying agent do not have to become certified to the Canada Organic Product Regulation (COPR) standards in order for their products to be represented as organic in Canada. Likewise, Canadian organic products certified to COPR 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.

The agreement goes into effect on June 30.

The two letters determining equivalence and Q&A’s discussing the details of these actions can be found on the NOP Web site, under Today’s News at www.ams.usda.gov/nop.