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Canada
#Importing organic products to the U.S. from Canada
The U.S.–Canada equivalency arrangement allows Canada Organic Regime (COR) certified products to be imported into the U.S.
Are there requirements for imported COR certified products to the U.S.?
To be sold, labeled, or represented as organic in U.S., organic products must meet additional requirements:
- Agricultural products derived from animals treated with antibiotics shall not be marketed as organic in the United States
- Written documentation is required to verify that additional production requirements have been met and attestations can be made by either the operation or the certifying agent
- COR organic products exported to the U.S. must be accompanied by an organic certificate issued by a COR-accredited certifying agent recognized under the terms of the U.S. – Canada Equivalency Arrangement. The organic certificate issued by the COR certifying agent must include the following statement: “Certified in compliance with the terms of the U.S. – Canada Organic Equivalency Arrangement.”
#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.