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Amendments to directive 09-01 - Certification of organic products to the requirements of the US-Canada Organic Equivalency Arrangement

To: Conformity verification bodies

Date: June 18, 2010

On July 6, 2009 the Canada Organic Regime sent a request to the CFIA designated CVBs to communicated Directive 09-01 to the CFIA accredited CBs. This directive outlines the requirements for the CFIA accredited CBs on how to certify to the terms of the US-Canada Organic Equivalency Arrangement and applies to all CFIA accredited CBs certifying to the terms of the Arrangement for imports and exports to US.

Directive 09-01 remains in force with the following amendment:

Documentation requirements

Products imported or exported under the terms of this arrangement must be accompanied by documents which would have the following attestation added to the product by the certification body that verified the product: certified to the terms of the US-Canada Organic Equivalence Arrangement. The documentation on which attestation could be added may be in the form of a transaction certificate, certificate addendum or any other affirmative attestation issued by the certification body. Copies of these documents must be maintained by the accredited certification body, exporter and importer for review by NOP, CFIA designated CVBs and/or CFIA officials.

CFIA-accredited certification bodies are responsible for ensuring that products intended for the US market are certified in accordance with the terms of the Arrangement and this directive. CFIA designated CVBs are responsible for monitoring the certification activities of the CFIA accredited CBs with respect to this arrangement. CVBs shall review export compliance verification procedures and records of exports to US under the terms of this arrangement during each onsite audit of the CB.

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