About Certification
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Feel free to call us at (805) 684-6494 or email info@occert.com for more information.
At Organic Certifiers, we understand that organic certification can be challenging as a first time pursuit. That is why each client is assigned a Certification Specialist (CS) to guide you through the certification process. Our clients may contact their CS at any time with questions or concerns regarding their organic certification. We believe that the client-to-representative relationship, combined with quick response time and sensible paperwork, is the cornerstone of our business.
¿Cuáles son los alcances?
Productores de cultivos
Plantas que se cultivan para ser cosechadas.
Los grupos de productores están dentro de este ámbito.
Operaciones ganaderas/lácteas
Animales que pueden ser utilizados para la alimentación o en la producción de alimentos,
fibra o pienso.
Manejadores/Procesadores
Procesado, a menudo de múltiples ingredientes, productos (incluye cosméticos). Los propietarios de marcas, corredores y distribuidores se encuentran dentro de este ámbito.
cultivos silvestres
Plantas de un sitio de cultivo que no se cultiva.
Steps to Certification
Step 1
Submit OC Inquiry Form to Organic Certifiers to receive Estimate & Application. For assistance with certification costs, see the USDA's Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP) (link).
Step 2
Submit completed application documents & payment to Organic Certifiers.
Step 3
Organic Certifiers reviews your application and pairs you with a Certification Specialist on our team.
Step 4
An inspector visits your site(s) and writes up an Inspection Report. Find inspection resources here.
Step 5
Our Final Review Board reviews the Inspection Report and supporting documents to verify compliance with the USDA National Organic Program Standards.
Step 6
Organic Certifiers sends you the Notice of Decision which may contain a list of requests to be resolved within 30 days of issuance (if any). Resolution of the requests (if any) will confirm your ability to comply with the National Organic Program. Pay the final invoice and receive your Organic Certificate! You will need to renew each year to stay active in the program.
¿Cuánto tiempo tarda el proceso?
APROX. 2-3 MESES
El proceso de certificación tarda aproximadamente de 2 a 3 meses en completarse desde el momento en que envía un paquete de solicitud completo (incluido el depósito). La velocidad del proceso puede verse afectada por qué tan completa está la solicitud cuando se envía, qué tan compleja es su operación orgánica y/o qué tan rápido responde a las solicitudes de información durante el proceso de revisión.
Ofrecemos un servicio rápido para completar la certificación en aproximadamente 4 a 6 semanas por una tarifa adicional. Por favor Contáctenos para más información sobre nuestros precios.
Annual Renewal
CERTIFICATION IS RENEWED ANNUALLY
Organic Certification is ongoing and must be renewed annually. Your renewal or anniversary date will be displayed on your certificate. We will send you courtesy reminders when it is time to begin the process over again.
In order to initiate the renewal of organic certification, you will need to complete these two tasks:
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Complete Annual Update Summary form indicating whether or not there are any changes to your operation.
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Submit payment for the next certification cycle.
Your Certification Specialist will be available to answer questions you may have about your renewal. If you decide you do not want to renew, you will need to complete a Voluntary Surrender form to properly exit the National Organic Program and avoid adverse penalties.
Inspecciones no anunciadas
TODOS LOS CLIENTES ESTÁN SUJETOS A INSPECCIONES NO ANUNCIADAS
Como recordatorio amistoso, el Programa Orgánico Nacional requiere que los Certificadores Orgánicos seleccionen aleatoriamente operadores para inspecciones sin previo aviso y extraigan muestras para análisis de residuos durante todo el año.
OCCSP provides cost share assistance to producers and handlers of agricultural products who are obtaining or renewing their certification under the National Organic Program (NOP). Certified operations may receive up to 75 percent of their certification costs paid during the program year, not to exceed $750 per certification scope.
Eligible OCCSP applicants include any certified organic producers or handlers who have paid organic certification fees to a USDA-accredited certifying agent.
Cost share assistance covers expenses including application fees, inspection costs, fees related to equivalency agreement and arrangement requirements, inspector travel expenses, user fees, sales assessments and postage. OCCSP pays a maximum of $750 per certification category for crops, wild crops, livestock, processing/handling, and state organic program fees (California only).
Please note: the USDA has not yet updated their OCCSP webpage to indicate whether this funding will be available for the 2025 certification year, however, we will provide further updates as we receive them. See links to the USDA OCCSP and California Department of Food & Agriculture (CDFA) sites below: