   
Breaking News! The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has reached an agreement to make the Canadian organic standards publicly available (follow links below). OTA in Canada has written the government to thank them on behalf of the organic sector, new entrants to organic agriculture, and consumers.
Regulations:Organic Products Regulations (2009) - Outline the mandatory regulations for organic food products that cross provincial or national borders. Available in French, or as a PDF (2.39MB) on page 98 of 238.
Standards:General Principles and Management Standards CAN/CGSB-32.310-2006 (Updated for December 2009) Permitted Substances List CAN/CGSB-32.311-2006 (Updated for December 2009) Both documents are available free of charge on the Canada General Standards Board website To suggest any additions, subtractions, or ammendments to the Permited Substances List, fill out and submit the following form: English / French.
Equivalency Agreement:Canada/US Equivalency Determination Agreement - The historic agreement of bilateral recognition of the US National Organic Program and the Canadian Organic Regime as equivalents.
CFIA Stream of Commerce & Enforcement Policy:
Stream of Commerce and Enforcement Policy - A document that outlines how the CFIA will transition from the old voluntary organic certification to the new mandatory organic certification system.
Approved Certifiers:
OTA in Canada has released the list of Conformity Verification Bodies and Certifying Bodies approved to operate under Canada's Organic Products Regulations. See the list.
Members-only: OTA Members can view a comprehensive list of the CVB and CB list sorted by country of operation and including complete contact information here (requires member ID and password).
Quality Management Systems (QMS):
The QMS Manual (English 1.3MB / French 1.2MB) is a document, produced by the Canada Organic Office on January 8, 2008. It describes the administration and enforcement of the Canadian Organic Regime.
The QMS is subject to annual updates, and OTA sits on the COO's technical advisory committee for this purpose. Please check this page for information on upcoming public consultations on the QMS.
Ammendments:
Want to see what has changed in the standards and permitted Substances List (inclusive of "Third Ballot")? OTA members can see the amendments to Canada's organic standards (requires member ID and password).
Other:
Matthew Holmes and Katherine DiMatteo (Wolf, Dimatteo + Associates) presented the following powerpoint on the regulations and standards in Canada at Expo East 2008.
For a look at OTA in Canada's past involvement in the development and implementation of the Organic Products Regulations Check out our Regulations/Standards History Page.
For more information on Canada's Standards, PSL, or OPR, contact Matthew Holmes at mholmes@ota.com
Return to OTA in Canada. | 
