Considering that the CARTV standard (Quebec Organic Reference Standards) being included in the COR Stream of Commerce and Enforcement Policy until June 2011, can we assume that the products that are certified to CARTV standard are on their own USDA/NOP equivalent without being first certified to the Canadian Organic Standards (COS)?
Answer: Any Product that is referred to as “a product that comply with the Regulations and may bear the organic agricultural product legend” in the COR Stream of Commerce and Enforcement Policy is deemed USDA/NOP equivalent when the standard against which it was certified is listed among those mentioned in above mentioned Policy. CARTV approved organic standard (QOS) is covered by Section 7.3 of this Policy. To be exported to the USA from Canada, organic products that comply with the Canadian Regulations and may bear the organic agricultural product legend must however conform to the additional requirement prescribed in the Canada-USA Equivalency Agreement, i.e.: Agricultural products derived from animals treated with antibiotics shall not be marketed as organic in the United States. Moreover, their labeling must be compliant with USDA requirements.