CANADA
Canada Organic Regulations
FOR OPERATIONS LOCATED IN CANADA
Oregon Tilth offers services to evaluate crop and handling operations that comply to the Canada Organic Regulations (COR). All operations located in Canada growing or manufacturing organic products within the scope of the Canada Organic Products Regulations are required to become certified to the COR.The Canada Organic Products Regulations (OPR) define specific requirements for organic products to be labeled as organic or that bear the Canada Organic Logo. The OPR Scope covers food and drink intended for human consumption and food intended to feed livestock, including agricultural crops used for those purposes, and also the cultivation of plants. Please note, products excluded from the scope cannot be certified under the Canada Organic Regime and cannot use the Canada Organic logo.
Review the Canada Organic Labeling and Regulations Guide
How do I apply for organic certification to the COR?
Basic forms to summarize the terms and conditions of organic certification with OTCO.
- Farm & Livestock COR-Organic System Plan (For Operations located in Canada)
- Processing & Handling COR-Organic System Plan (For Operations located in Canada)
Email your application to organic@tilth.org or mail the hard copy with correct certification fees to 2525 SE 3rd Street, Corvallis, OR 97333. One of our staff members will be in contact with you once we receive and process your application.
United States – Canada Equivalency Arrangement
The National Organic Program and Canada Organic Office signed an Equivalency Arrangement detailing the requirements for importing and exporting organic products.
OTCO US-Canada Equivalency Policy
US-Canada Equivalency Affirmation – Farm | Handler
- All shipments of organic products crossing the Canadian border in either direction need to be accompanied by documentation which includes the statement: “Certified in compliance with the terms of the US-Canada Organic Equivalency Arrangement.»
- OTCO certified clients whose products are crossing the Canada border need to verify that their products are in compliance with the Equivalency Arrangement. Please contact the OTCO Office to begin the process of listing your products as compliant to the terms of the US-Canada Equivalency Arrangement. OTCO will automatically evaluate all crop products for compliance but will only review livestock and processed products that have been requested.
Conditions of the US-Canada Equivalency Arrangement include the following:
- U.S. agricultural products produced with the use of sodium nitrate cannot be sold or marketed as organic in Canada.
- U.S. agricultural products produced by hydroponic or aeroponic production methods cannot be sold or marketed as organic in Canada.
- U.S. agricultural products derived from animals must be produced according to livestock stocking rates as set out in the Canadian Standard.
- Canadian agricultural products produced from animals treated with antibiotics will not be allowed to be sold as organic in the US.
EU – Canada Equivalency Arrangement
The European Commission and the Canadian Organic Office announced a bilateral Equivalency Arrangement. The Arrangement allows full access to the Canadian Market by EU Member State producers, but it limits access to the EU market to products grown in Canada.
- No further verification is required for COR organic exports to the EU or for EU organic imports into Canada
- The Arrangement applies to the following: live or unprocessed agricultural products and vegetative propagating material, seeds for cultivation, processed agricultural products for use as food and feed.
- Products exported to the EU must be 100% Canada grown.
- Products exported to Canada can be produced with COR and EU certified ingredients from anywhere in the world but must be «final processed and labeled» in the EU.
- Product Labels must be compliant with the country in which they are being sold.
– Using either or both the COR or EU logos is allowed.
- Each export and import shipment must be accompanied by a Certificate of Import issued by OTCO.