OIA North America

Organic Growers--What to Expect During the Inspection

The annual onsite inspection is the key to the USDA NOP Organic certification process. It is the chance for the certifier to verify that the operator is complying with the organic grower plan the applicant or certified operation has submitted to the certifier. The inspector’s job is to be the eyes and ears of the certifier, but the ultimate decision on whether or not an operation qualifies for organic certification is the responsibility of the certifier. Being prepared for the onsite inspection makes the inspection and certification process quicker and simpler. It is also a good time to double check your operations to be sure they comply with the plan you have submitted.

In preparing for the inspection, please consider the following key areas which an inspector will look at during the inspection:

Documents and Recordkeeping

 The inspector will want to look at documentation which may include, but is not limited to:

-Verifying that you have a copy of the USDA Final Rule on hand

-Verifying that you have a copy of your Organic System Plan (application you sent to OIA)

-Verifying that you have documentation on the acceptability of organic inputs and (seeds, fertilizers, pest control products, disease control products, planting media, etc.)

-Verifying that you maintain all of the records that you indicate are kept in your application for organic certification (purchase records, sales records, fertility input applications, weed control applications and activities, cleaning records, etc. )

-Verifying specialized records which are particular to your operation ( proof of non-availability of organic seeds if non-organic seeds are used, proof of non-treated status for non-organic seeds, records of manure application dates and harvest if manure is used, compost production records if compost is used, etc.)

-Verifying labels and packing materials

Special attention to prohibited substances

 The inspector will look for evidence verifying that prohibited substances and practices are not used in the operation, including:

-Treated seeds or non-organic seeds which have not been approved by the certifier are not being used

-Genetically Modified Organisms are not being used

-Prohibited fertilizers, weed control, pest control, or disease control products (or ones which have not been listed in the application and approved by the certifier) are not being used

-Sewage Sludge or Bio-Solids are not being used

-Irradiation is not being used

Contamination and Commingling

 The inspector will verify that there are effective practices in place to prevent contamination and commingling of organic and non-organic products, through:

-separation and identification in storage of approved organic inputs and non-organic inputs

-separation and identification of organic and non-organic production from seed to harvest

-practices and records in place to document that appropriate cleaning practices are in place to prevent contamination and commingling through use of equipment and tools

-use of appropriate labels and packing materials

Verification of basic land requirements

-Organic production areas are clearly defined and distinct from non-organic areas

-Appropriate buffers and barriers are in place to prevent contamination from surrounding land use

-That land is free from the application of prohibited substances currently and going back at least three years prior to the date of certification

The key points to remember is that the inspection is where the certifier verifies that the operator is complying with the USDA NOP Organic regulations and the plan submitted to the certifier. This includes maintaining the practices described in the plan, maintaining the records described in the plan, and obtaining approval for the use of each input from the certifier prior to use.

Using these guidelines, any operation can be confident that there inspection will be a smooth and successful one. As always, if you have any question about inspections, the certification process, or the organic regulations, please do not hesitate to contact OIA North America.