The organic production and certification in the United States

The U.S. organic production system is managed in accordance with the Organic Foods Production Act (OFPA) of 1990 and regulations in Title 7, Part 205 of the Code of Federal Regulations to meet the specific conditions of the site by integrating cultural, biological and mechanical practices that encourage the recycling of resources, promote ecological balance and conserve biodiversity. The National Organic Program (NOP) develops, implements and manages national production, handling and labeling rules.

The USDA, AMS, National Organic Program (NOP) certifies private companies, organizations and state agencies to certify farmers and processors of agricultural products under the NOP regulations.

Exporting to the USA under the NOP regulation

 The government of the United States and the European Union signed an agreement recognizing their respective regulations of organic productions and their control systems making it equivalent for trading of organic products, except in the cases of wines, products in conversion, feed produced with antibiotics and aquatic animals.

The new procedure for exporting to the United States market consists of filling out the product import certificate for each commercial operation, and sending it to the CCPAE to authorize the product. Once authorized by the control and certification entity, it is returned to the operator, who must attach this certificate to the exported order.

This procedure is different for wines and derivatives. You must contact the CCPAE to consult the process.

Related information:

 Export to the United States under the NOP regulation