Potential Changes to the US – Canada Organic Equivalency

COTA‘s latest webinar highlighted the proposed changes to the US-Canada Equivalency Arrangement and is seeking your voice to influence the final decision and reduce the potential impact of these significant changes. The National Organic Program (NOP) is proposing a change that is limited to multi-ingredient products certified under the NOP or Canadian Organic Regime (COR) in third countries (a country that is not the US or Canada) that are imported to Canada or the US. These possible changes may create significant barriers for the organic business, as all multi-ingredient goods produced outside of the United States and Canada will be required to obtain DOUBLE certification. As a result, the cost of certification would rise, having a significant influence on international trade, as well as a loss of revenue and clients due to the increased time required to obtain certification and accessibility to certification.

Summary of Key Changes:
-For USDA organic products that have multiple ingredients that are exported to Canada, the product must have only NOP certified products listed in its ingredients. This means that a multi-ingredient product that has a mix of COR and NOP certified ingredients will no longer be permitted.
– For COR organic products that have multiple ingredients that are exported to the US, the product must have only COR certified products listed in its ingredients. This means that a multi-ingredient product that has a mix of COR and NOP certified ingredients will no longer be permitted.

What Can We Do?

To influence the final position, COTA is asking you to share your voice! Complete the consultation here to log your feedback with CFIA. The deadline to submit feedback is August 22nd, 2021.

For more information on how the proposed changes could have implications on your supply chain, please watch COTA’s webinar on the potential changes to the Organic Equivalency Arrangement with the USA. Please contact info@canada-organic.ca or call 613-482-1717 ext 205 with any questions.