Requiring certification

Organic certification is not required for all operations. However, for certain types of food businesses the standards are clear that certification is necessary. Businesses working with organic products that require certification include:

• Manufacturers
• Processors
• Packers / re-packers (including repacking certified organic products into new packaging)
• Labeling / re-labeling businesses

Do I need certification if I apply labels to packaged and sealed organic products?

If you apply a label that makes an organic claim — e.g., uses the word organic, the USDA organic seal, etc. — you must be certified. Labels without organic claims do not require certification.

Do I need certification if placing a sealed organic product into additional, labeled packaging?

If the additional packaging makes an organic claim you must be certified. However, additional packaging labels without organic claims do not require certification.