Organic Rules Go into Force in Canada

In the US, we look for the USDA label on foods to be sure they are organic.

Now, Canadians can do the same. Organic regulations became law in 2009, but two years later, as of June 30, they are being enforced. 

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), analogous to our USDA, has given operators a 2-year grace period to become compliant with the rules, simply notifying and educating people when they crossed the line, and giving them plenty of time to comply. 

"Full compliance with all provisions of the Organic Products Regulations is now mandatory. The Stream of Commerce policy was a great help for organic operators working to bring their documentation and labeling into compliance," says Matthew Holmes, Executive Director of the Canada Organic Trade Association. "Now products labeled as ‘organic’ in Canada and subject to the regulations must be certified by a CFIA-accredited certification body, and all organic product labels must carry the name of the certifier."

Like the US, Canadian organic standards are based on pre-existing industry certification criteria.

Canada’s organic standards apply to domestic and imported products, and have the familiar "Biologique Canada Organic" logo.

The CFIA oversees and enforces the organic certification system, as well as organic claims in the marketplace. Now in full effect, the Organic Products Regulations have leveled the playing field and given both domestic and foreign consumers confidence in the organic label.

In addition to providing people with confidence in the products they buy, the Canadian organic system is trusted by its major  trading partners: the US and Europe.

In 2009, Canada and the U.S. announced the world’s first organic equivalency agreement, which allows for trade of organic products between the two countries. In June 2011, the European Union added Canada to its "third country list," recognizing Canadian organic products and certification as valid for import into the EU.

"Recognition of Canada’s organic standards by both the EU and U.S. shows that our standards are among the best in the world, assuring consumers that strong organic standards have been followed, while eliminating the burdensome costs of multiple organic certifications now carried by farmers, processors and traders," Holmes says.