What is an NOP certification and what is it used for?
NOP Certification is the central aspect of America’s National Organic Program. Since 2002, it has been illegal to label food as organic unless it has been certified as such. In order to receive NOP certification, growers must adhere to strict guidelines.
There are three main requirements to receive NOP Certification:
1. The methods of growing and materials used in production must meet strict organic guidelines.
2. Every aspect of production must be clearly and accurately documented to prove that these standards have been met.
3. This documentation must form a clear paper trail that can be followed through all aspects of production for verification purposes.
Not only must primary producers be certified, but all handlers must also be certified to guarantee that the product remains strictly organic to the point of sale. A handler is defined as any operation that processes, packages or stores these products. However, in this instance storage does not include brokering, warehousing or transportation functions.
However, there are exceptions to these requirements:
• Very small producers who gross less than $5,000 per year do not have to be NOP certified. Instead, it is recommended that they sign a declaration that they have grown the products in accordance with NOP certification requirements.
• Retailers do not have to be certified unless they are repackaging the products and in so doing become handlers.
The process of NOP Certification begins before the seeds are planted or other aspects of farming have been established. The first step is to submit an organic farm plan or an organic handling plan to a USDA-accredited private or state certification program. The organic plan must detail current methods and materials involved in primary production as well as future plans for production. Records of all production and management practices as well as of materials used in these practices must be kept for five years.
To maintain NOP Certification a grower or handler must pass an annual inspection conducted by the certification agency. Even so, accreditation is only valid for up to five years and must be renewed. Certifying agents are also strictly monitored and must keep records pertaining to their certification decisions for ten years. USDA certification agencies can experience on-site audits and can lose their status if they are found not to comply with the strict guidelines governing their actions.
NOP Certification is very important for American consumers as it guarantees that they are purchasing genuinely organic produce.
