VORCETT

In preparation · International organic

What are USDA Organic and the NOP?

The certification system you need to sell your product as “USDA organic” in the United States.

Who runs it?
USDA Agricultural Marketing Service — National Organic Program
Who is it for?
Farms and processing or packing facilities selling organic products to the US.
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 as “USDA organic” in the US?

The operation must be certified by a USDA-accredited certifying agent. Accredited certifying agents are listed on the USDA’s certifying agents page .

What is an Organic System Plan (OSP)?

The plan describing the operation’s organic production or handling practices; it is reviewed by the certifying agent during the application process.

Is certification a one-off?

No. Certification is subject to annual continuation; updates and on-site reviews continue every year.

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 USDA Organic certification verify?

The USDA National Organic Program (NOP) administers US organic regulations. To be certified organic under USDA organic standards, an operation must work with a certifying agent accredited by the USDA.

The USDA states that organic certification verifies that a farm or handling facility complies with USDA organic regulations. The system sets the rules for selling, labelling and representing products as organic. The USDA defines four main categories: crops, livestock, handling and wild crops.

Who is this programme relevant to?
  • Farms wishing to market their products as USDA organic in the US
  • Facilities that process and pack organic products
  • Operations in the US organic supply chain that require certification
  • International operations seeking certification under USDA organic rules
How does the process work?
  1. Choosing a USDA-accredited certifying agent and applying
  2. Review of the Organic System Plan (OSP) and records
  3. On-site review
  4. Evaluation of the application and review report by the certifying agent
  5. Issue of the organic certificate if compliant, followed by annual continuation

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
USDA Agricultural Marketing Service — National Organic Program
Required of the body
Direct USDA accreditation (7 CFR Part 205, Subpart F)
Role of 17065
Bodies certifying under the NOP must be accredited directly by the USDA under 7 CFR Part 205, Subpart F. ISO/IEC 17065 accreditation does not replace USDA accreditation; the application, evaluation and accreditation decision are handled separately by USDA AMS.

What is ISO/IEC 17065?

Official sources
USDA AMS — Organic Certification and Accreditation USDA AMS — Becoming a Certified Operation USDA AMS — Accredited Certifying Agents USDA AMS — Becoming a Certifying Agent eCFR — 7 CFR Part 205, Subpart F

Page last updated:

VORCETT is not a USDA-accredited NOP certifying agent and does not currently offer certification services under the NOP. Opening this programme depends on completing the USDA’s separate accreditation process and the necessary organisational requirements.