Equivalency agreement signed between Canada and the United States

Canada and the US entered into an arrangement recognizing their national organic systems as equivalent. They have reached an agreement that will allow Canada to export organic products certified in accordance with Canadian organic standards to be marketed in the US as organic without the need to be certified in addition to National Organic Program (NOP) standards, with the exception of products derived from animals treated with antibiotics.

Canada would also deem imports of US organic products certified in accordance with NOP standards as meeting the Canadian requirements for organic products, with the exception of :

• Agricultural products produced with the use of sodium nitrate
• Agricultural products produced by hydroponic or aeroponic production methods
• Agricultural products derived from animals produced according to livestock stocking rates not corresponding to those set out in CAN/CGSB- 32.310-2006 (amended October 2008)

Both the Canada Organic / Biologique logo and the United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) Organic seal may be used on certified organic products from both countries. Under this agreement that will come into force on 30 June 2009, the Canadian Food inspection Agency (CFIA) has the ability to recognize certification bodies in the US and ensure they are complying with the Canadian standards.