Resources
OIA North America is now
Americert International. For
more information, please
vist the Americert
International website at
General Resources for First Time Applicants and Those Seeking Information About Becoming Certified Organic:
Simple Steps to Certification: Describes the general process of becoming certified.
ATTRA Guide to the NOP Standards: Provides a good overview of the regulations governing handlers and growers under the USDA National Organic Program.
ATTRA Guide to Organic Farm Certification: Provides a good overview of the applicable regulations for growers.
ATTRA Guide to Inspection and Certification: Provides a good overview of the inspection and certification process.
ATTRA Guide to Organic Handling Standards: Provides a good overview of the applicable regulations for handlers.
12 Basic Rules of Organic Production: Provides a good overview of the regulations for growers.
The ATTRA website, a part of the National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service, has literally dozens of guides about organic production and handling, including information on materials, specific crops, and model documents for certification.
General Web Resources for Organic Certification:
E-CFR: View the latest version of the USDA NOP Organic regulations in their entirety.
USDA National Organic Program: Keep up to date on guidance and news from the USDA National Organic Program.
Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI): Find materials acceptable for use in certified organic production and handling.
OMRI Seed Sources: Find organic seeds for use in certified organic production.
Organic Trade Association (OTA): Find out the latest information about organic marketing and trade at the website of the organic industries largest trade association.
OIA North America Guidance and Forms:
12 Basic Rules of Organic Production
OIA North America USDA NOP Fee Schedule
OIA North America Abridged NOP Regulations for Handlers
OIA North America Abridged NOP Regulations for Producers
Simple Inputs Affidavit: For requesting approval of a simple input.
Multiform Simple Ingredients OPP: A variant of the OPP form to be used for products with few or one ingredient.
The OIA North Amercia NOP Certification Manual describes the policies and procedures governing applicants and OIA North America under the USDA NOP Organic certification program.
The Certification Cost Estimate Form is used to develop an individualized quote for the estimated fees and costs associated with certification.
October 8, 2010-OIA Guidance for Grower Operations with Only A Portion of the Operation Certified Organic explains additional requirements for operations certifying only a portion of a parcel of land as organic. Non-Organic Land Management Form.
October 12, 2010-OIA Policy on Organic System Plan Changes and Summary for Interim Inspections explains how OIA North America will communicate organic system plan changes by operators to inspectors for interim inspections and describes how written communications are incorporated into the Organic System Plan.
USDA National Organic Program Announcements and Guidance Memos:
Feb 2009 Memo re: Food Safety Violations
March 2009 Clarification re: Liquid Fertilizers
April 2010 Memo re: Nutrients and Vitamins
April 2010 Memo re: Green Waste
(FOR OIA STAFF USE ONLY: STANDARD PROCESS FORMS)
NOP Certification Fee Cost Estimate Form A2A-NOP
NOP Initial Admin Review Form ZA-NOP
NOP Initial Admin Review Memo ZA1-NOP
NOP Pre-Initial Compliance Review Form ZA2-NOP
NOP Initial Compliance Review Form ZA3-NOP
NOP Initial Compliance Review Memo and Findings Form ZA4-NOP
NOP Inspection Assignment Memo Form ZA5-NOP
NOP Grower Review Checklist-Optional
NOP Handler Review Checklist-Optional
Staff Training Materials
February 2012 Training: Labeling Review.
1. View the NOP Presentation located at http://www.ams.usda.gov/AMSv1.0/getfile?dDocName=STELPRDC5096487&acct=nopgeninfo.
2. Record your answers to the exercises on pages 19-27, and 30-31, 52-56 and email or fax to the OIA office.
3. Complete the Training Affirmation and email or fax to the OIA office.
You will receive feedback and guidance on areas where further study would be beneficial.
