International Standards
In Canada, the largest international export markets for organic product are the United States, the European Union and Japan.
United States
The US National Organic Program (NOP), a branch of the United States Department of Agriculture, is the body which governs standards and regulation of organic product in the US. All organic food products in the United States must meet the defined National Organic Standard (NOS) and be certified by an accredited agency. The NOP accredits Canadian certifiers to certify products for export to the US.
European Union
The European Union has regulations for the production, labeling and marketing of organic products and an established certification system. To export to EU, countries must be approved as having standards considered to be equivalent to those of the European Union.
On December 21, 2006, the EU Council of Agriculture Ministers adopted amendments to the import provisions of Regulation (EEC) No 2092/91 on organic production of agricultural products and indications referring thereto to in agricultural products and foodstuffs. Details on the EU amendment can be found at:
As a result, Canadian exporters of organic agricultural products may continue exporting to the EU. In the meantime, Canada has made a submission to the European Commission so that Canada can be added to the EU's list of approved third countries for the import of organic products, in order to secure longer term, permanent access to the EU organics market.
Japan
Japan regulates organic product through its JAS organic certification program. All organic agricultural products in Japan must be certified by an agency accredited by the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Organic operators who wish to export to Japan must be JAS certified by a registered certification organization or a registered foreign certification organization, and all products must carry the JAS organic label.
International Standards Organizations
International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM)
IFOAM’s mission is “leading, uniting and assisting the organic movement in its full diversity”. The International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements advocates for the adoption of organic agriculture on a global scale, though the implementation of a variety of programs. IFOAM has created an accreditation program whose purpose is to set an internationally accepted organic standard.
Codex Alimentarius Commission
The Codex Alimentarus Commission provides guidelines which outline the minimum standards that must be met for a food product to be considered organic in most countries in the world.
Guidelines for the Production, Processing, Labelling and Marketing of Organically Produced Foods
Last Updated: 2009-05-04 09:18:35