Latin America

Organic Certification

USDA National Organic Program

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What is Organic Certification?

USDA Organic certification verifies that the farms or handling facilities located in the LATAM region comply with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) organic regulations allowing labeling and sales of products as organic in the U.S. market. Organic certification means the farmers and businesses have met strict standards for the growing, processing, and handling of their products. This certification is also recognized outside the U.S. in Canada, the European Union, Japan, Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom allowing farm products of all kinds to be accepted and preferred in additional global markets. The USDA organic seal on products assures consumers that the product contains a minimum of 95 percent organic content. USDA Organic Certification by SCS Global Services verifies that products are in fact organic, setting them apart in the market and giving customers the confidence they need to make informed purchasing decisions.

Why Choose SCS Global Services?

One of LATAM’s most trusted agriculture and food labeling certification bodies, SCS Global Services was among the first certifiers to be accredited under the USDA National Organic Program (NOP) and works successfully with innovative growers and handlers in Latin American countries to promote responsible agricultural practices. We provide Organic certification across the entire central and south American region. With competitive rates, first-class service, native-language speaking auditors, and prompt turnaround times, we will help you become a part of the growing organic movement. In addition, you can save time and money by combining your organic certification with complementary certification, auditing and testing services including Non-GMO Project Verification, Sustainably Grown, Fair Trade, SCS Gluten-Free certification and SCS Plant-Based certification.

  • Program Details
  • Process
  • Benefits
  • FAQs
  • Documents

Eligibility

The US Department of Agriculture's National Organic Program (NOP) provides certification opportunities to producers, processors, distributors and other handlers of food, fiber and personal care products.

Certification Criteria

The NOP standard defines acceptable practices, lists substances approved or prohibited from use, and describes record-keeping requirements for the production and handling of organic products. Guidelines and requirements for marketing and labeling organic products are also defined.

To meet certification criteria, companies must:

  • Prepare and implement an Organic Production or Handling System Plan
  • Comply with Organic Management Practices
  • Maintain relevant records for at least 5 years
  • Label products in an appropriate manner

Annual certification review is required to maintain certification.

Equivalency for Export

USDA NOP standards are recognized by Canada and all EU countries. For certain countries, an addendum may be required to be completed at time of audit.

Fee Schedule

Access the Organic Certification Fee Schedule here.

Complementary Services

Save time and money by combining your organic certification with complementary certification, auditing and testing services including: Sustainably Grown, Fair Trade, and Food Safety.

While the specifics of certification vary depending on whether the company seeking certification is a food producer, shipper, distributor, wholesaler or handler, the certification process generally involves the following steps:

  1. Apply for Certification

    Complete the SCS Application for Organic Certification. This provides our auditors with basic information about your organic handling practices.

  2. Determine Eligibility

    SCS reviews your application to determine if we can offer certification services to your operation in compliance with the NOP standard. We prepare an Application Review Letter with the findings. If information provided is satisfactory, we proceed with your certification.

  3. Authorize a Proposal

    SCS prepares a proposal for your approval with suggested scope of work, timeline and quote. If the proposal meets your needs, you sign a Work Order. We then contact you to schedule an audit.

  4. On-site Audit and Testing

    SCS conducts an annual on-site audit, including collection of samples for testing as may be deemed necessary. The audit includes physical inspection of the site, review of records, interview with personnel, and an exit interview. We prepare a Report of Findings after the audit (and any associated testing) is completed.

  5. Certification Decision

    If certification is granted, a Certificate of Compliance is issued. If certification is not granted, then the Report of Findings is accompanied by a declaration of status and explanation. The status may be one of the following:

    • additional information or corrective actions required;
    • existing certification should be suspended or revoked, or
    • certification is denied.

    Should additional inspections be required, SCS will prepare a Notification of Additional Inspection that describes the purpose of the additional inspection. SCS can also provide client marketing support.

  6. Maintaining Certification

    Annual audits are required to maintain certification.

Organic certification has a variety of well-recognized benefits:

  • Satisfy the growing market for organic foods
  • Fine-tune your agrochemical applications and save money
  • Take the first step toward achieving broader sustainability objectives
  • Meet or exceed residue testing requirements of GlobalG.A.P., SQF Integrated Pest Management Program and Tesco Nurture
  • Prove compliance with the maximum residue limits (MRL) of all countries where your products are sold

Once certified by SCS, you can reinforce your brand with both the USDA Organic seal and the SCS Kingfisher logo, shown to increase brand value.

In addition, certification through SCS gives you the added opportunity to market your pesticide residue free status during the three-year mandatory transition period to organic.

  • What is USDA Organic?

    USDA Organic is the official organic product certification program of the US Department of Agriculture. It was developed in response to passage of the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (OFPA). The National Organic Program (NOP) was first published in the Federal Register in 2000, and the first organic products appeared in the marketplace with the USDA Organic seal in 2002. 

  • How do I know what products are certified as organic under the NOP?

    A full list of products that have been certified and are in good standing can be found at the USDA Organic Integrity Database. To see companies certified by SCS Global Services, select our name in the drop-down box for accredited certification bodies. 

  • What is an Organic Production System Plan?

    Your OSP provides details about who you are, what you produce, and where your products are grown or made. The plan outlines your land’s history, the seeds and inputs you use, and how you build healthy, fertile soil. It also explains your methods for managing pests and weeds. For handlers and processors, the OSP describes how organic products are kept separate and protected from contamination during processing, storage, and packaging. It also includes your recordkeeping practices to ensure transparency and traceability, along with how your products are labeled and marketed. Altogether, your OSP provides a clear, honest picture of your organic operation — from seed to sale — showing your commitment to integrity, sustainability, and trust in every product you offer. 

  • What materials and practices are prohibited under the USDA NOP?

    • Most synthetic, pesticides, fertilizers, additives and food ingredients  
    • Excluded methods (e.g., genetically modified organisms),
    • Ionizing radiation
    • Sewage sludge 

  • What claims can be made for certified organic products?

    Organic products are divided into four categories, each with its own set of labeling requirements. Your certification will fall within one of these categories: 

    • 100 Percent Organic. Single ingredient agricultural products (e.g., raw fruits and vegetables), or products made entirely from 100% organic ingredients.
    • Organic. Any agricultural product that, by weight (excluding water and salt), is at least 95% organically produced raw or processed. Up to 5% may be from the list of allowed non-organic substances. (Such substances may not be produced using prohibited methods or processes.)
    • Made with Organic (specified ingredients). Any multi-ingredient product containing 70-95% organic ingredients by weight (excluding water and salt). Up to 3 ingredients (or food groups) may be named in this statement. Processed and packaged foods could fall in this category.
    • Organic Ingredients. Any multi-ingredient product with more than 70% organic ingredients by weight. 

  • What are the USDA labeling requirements?

    Labeling requirements are based on the percentage of organic ingredients in a product, as described above. In general, any multi-ingredient product labeled as organic must identify each organically produced ingredient in the ingredient statement on the information panel. The name of the certifying agent of the final product must be displayed on the information panel for 100%, organic and "made with" products.  There are no restrictions on the use of other verified labeling claims in accordance with the USDA labeling guidelines. More detail on the USDA's organic labeling requirements are available on their website. 

Document Name Document
USDA National Organic Standards Visit Site
USDA Organic INTEGRITY Database Visit Site

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