The Steps to Organic Certification

If you decide to become an "organic" food producer the next step is to decide to become "certified organic". After June 30, 2009 all organic food producers in Canada will have to be certified if they are selling organic products outside the country (export) or outside of their province (inter-provincial). Currently there are no "intra-provincial" regulations for producers within Ontario who are selling to customers within Ontario, however many stores, processors and food buyers will request products be "certified organic" for the benefits of their business.

The main reason to become certified is to assure your customers and buyers that your operation has been inspected and that your products meet the requirements of the Canadian organic regulations and the related standards. Being certified will cost farmers approximately $500-$1000 per year depending on the size and complexity of their farm. The fees for food processors tend to be higher depending on size and complexity of the operation. The other cost of certification is the paperwork for the application and to satisfy the certification body (CB) and inspectors that you are managing your business in a way that can verify that you are in compliance with the standards and can document the audit trail on products to show their traceability and your ability to maintain the organic integrity of the product.

Steps to Organic Certification:

1. Contact certification bodies -CBs operating in Ontario are listed at
   "Organic Food and Farming Certification" - http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/crops/organic/certification.htm
   You should:
   
   • Identify certification costs, appropriate details of the standards,
     
   • Inquire about accreditations needed for the sale of your products,
     
   • All accredited CBs will be using the Canadian Organic Standards,
     
   • request a copy of the standards;
     
2. Read and understand the standards and the requirements of being certified organic;
   
3. Research various organic production practices - compare to your farm situation and to certification and standards details;
   
4. Begin the transition of your farm and/or facilities to organic. In most cases you can transition the property in stages assuming you can maintain the organic integrity of the products you are producing. Develop necessary paperwork and audit trail to document your products, inputs, and various procedures for traceability and organic integrity;
   
5. Understand the time period required to operate as organic before you can become certified (for crops - 36 months prior to the sale of the organic products). Understand at what stage you need to apply for transitional inspection (for crop producers this is in the year prior to becoming organic;
   
6. Compare CBs and select the CB you want to work with - get necessary application forms and other details and updates;
   
7. Apply for inspection for transition (fee payment) - the operator must be registered with a CB at least 12 months before the harvest of the organic crops;
   
8. Application is reviewed by the CB;
   
9. CB appoints organic inspector to attend the farm and to do inspection while the product is being produced - prior to the inspection the producer needs to make sure they have all of their paperwork in order for the inspection;
10. Inspector's report is reviewed by CB;
    
11. CB notifies applicant of decision;
    
12. In the following year the producer applies to become certified organic, inspector is appointed by the CB, inspects the farm or production facility, CB reviews report and notifies applicant of decision on their certification status;
    
13. Annual certification application (fees payment), inspection, certification status review. For most farms applications are made in early spring;
    
14. Sell your certified organic products;
    
15. Regularly (at least annually) review any changes to certification requirements and other production practices to improve your food production business.

Note that you should not start the transition to becoming organic until you understand the details of the standards and requirements of the certification body. During the transition period your operation will have to operate to the requirements of the organic system but since it is not considered organic there is not usually a price premium. This can create financial hardship and must be managed. A staged transition to organic is often preferable depending on your farm situation. With food processing and new building structures transition details should be discussed with the CB for specifics on your particular situation. Livestock generally has to be fed 100% organic feed for one year prior to being certified (which may lengthen the transition period) but this will vary with the species, again discuss your particular details with the CB.

The road to "certified organic" will be interesting and you can expect some "potholes" but most producers will find that it rewards you with a better business and more opportunities.