In April 2019, the OTCO program started strategy development and a feasibility assessment of our service programs. The goal is to focus our service(s) delivery to ensure OTCO’s high integrity and quality organic certification.

Following analysis of our accreditation to the Canadian Organic Regime (COR) program, we have made the decision to no longer offer COR certification services starting in 2020.

After serious consideration of many factors — technical, financial, legal, etc. — we concluded that despite the small size of our COR program, there is a considerable effort and investment of resources to maintain high-quality certification service, conduct critical staff and inspector training, and administer frequently changing COR standards and accreditation requirements. The cost for meeting our internal standards for the program’s delivery is unsustainable. While this decision was not easy, we feel that it is in the best interest of both OTCO and our clients. We are working with all of our current COR-certified clients to transition to another qualified certification body.

For producers looking to pursue certification to COR, please refer to the list of accredited certifiers from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

We have greatly appreciated the opportunity to work with and support the organic community in Canada for the last 20 years.