VORCETT

In preparation · International organic

What is Organic JAS?

The certification system you need to sell your product as organic in Japan.

Who runs it?
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan (MAFF)
Who is it for?
Producers, processors and exporters selling organic products to Japan.
Status
We cannot issue certificates in this programme yet; it will open once the authorisation process is complete.Who issues the certificate? Notify me when it opens

Frequently asked questions

What do I need to sell organic products in Japan?

The Organic JAS logo may only be used by operations certified by a certification body registered with MAFF.

Which products are covered?

Organic plant products, organic processed foods, organic livestock products, organic feed, organic alcoholic beverages and organic algae.

Where can I see the registered certification bodies?

MAFF publishes the list of registered domestic and foreign certification bodies.

Does VORCETT currently offer services in this programme?

No. This programme is in preparation at VORCETT; no service is offered until the relevant authorisation, recognition or approval processes are complete.

Answers are for general information only; the binding rules are in the official sources of the relevant authority and scheme owner.

Details

What does it mean for the Japanese market?

Organic JAS is Japan’s JAS system for organic products. Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) publishes the lists of registered domestic and foreign certification bodies for Organic JAS.

Organic JAS is one of the core parts of the organic labelling and certification structure in Japan. The Organic JAS logo may only be used by operations certified by a registered certification body. MAFF also publishes lists of foreign certification bodies and foreign certified operations.

The scopes defined by MAFF include organic plant products, organic processed foods, organic livestock products, organic feed, organic alcoholic beverages and organic algae.

Who is this programme relevant to?
  • Producers and businesses aiming to supply organic products to the Japanese market
  • Foreign operations that need certification under Organic JAS requirements
  • Eligible operators in the Japanese organic supply chain
How does the process work?
  1. Assessing the product and activity scope against Organic JAS
  2. Preparing the system against the applicable JAS requirements
  3. Assessment through a registered certification body
  4. Verification of conformity and certification
  5. Maintaining labelling and continuation requirements under the programme rules

This flow is for general information. Actual application and assessment steps may vary with the current legislation/rules of the programme and with the scope and characteristics of the operation.

Relationship with ISO/IEC 17065
Authority / scheme owner
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan (MAFF)
Required of the body
MAFF registration (registered certification body)
Role of 17065
To certify under Organic JAS, a body must be registered by MAFF as a registered certification body. In the registration assessment, FAMIC reviews conformity with ISO/IEC 17065 and the relevant JAS criteria; the final registration decision rests with MAFF. No other accreditation replaces this registration.

What is ISO/IEC 17065?

Official sources
Japan MAFF — Organic JAS Japan MAFF — Organic certification bodies USDA AMS — Peer review of Japan’s organic program

Page last updated:

VORCETT is not a registered foreign certification body under Organic JAS and does not currently offer active services in this programme. Organic JAS is being considered as one of our long-term international programme options.