Exporting organic products from the U.S. to Canada

The U.S.–Canada equivalency arrangement allows USDA National Organic Program (NOP) certified products to be imported into Canada without requiring additional certifications.

Are there requirements for exporting USDA NOP certified products to Canada?

To be sold, labeled, or represented as organic in Canada, exported organic products must meet additional requirements:

• All OTCO clients that wish to list products on their organic certificate as U.S.–Canada equivalent must complete additional documentation. Please contact your client service team to obtain the forms relevant to your situation.
• All USDA NOP agricultural products produced with sodium nitrate cannot be sold or marketed as organic in Canada
• All USDA NOP agricultural products derived from animals must be produced according to livestock stocking rates as set in the Canadian Organic Standards
• All USDA NOP agricultural products produced by hydroponic or aeroponic production methods cannot be sold or marketed as organic in Canada
• U.S. organic products exported to Canada must be accompanied by an organic certificate issued by a USDA-accredited certifying agent recognized under the terms of the U.S. – Canada Equivalency Arrangement. The organic certificate issued by the USDA certifying agent must include the following statement: “Certified in accordance with the terms of the U.S. – Canada Organic Equivalency Arrangement.”
• All USDA NOP products being shipped to Canada must meet the COR labeling requirements.