Language selection

Search

Letters exchanged: Japan – Canada Organic Equivalency Arrangement (JCOEA)

Letter to the Director General, Minister's Secretariat, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Senior Deputy Commissioner, National Tax Agency

1400 Merivale Road
Tower 2, 6th Floor
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0Y9

July 28, 2023

Mr. Miyaura Kouji
Director-General for New Business and Food Industry
Minister's Secretariat
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Tokyo, JAPAN

Mr. Hoshiya Kazuhiko
Senior Deputy Commissioner
National Tax Agency
Tokyo, JAPAN

Subject: Recognition of Equivalency with Japan – Scope Expansion to Include Alcohol Beverages

Dear Mr. Miyaura and Mr. Hoshiya

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) reviewed the Japan organic certification program as set out in the Japan Agricultural Standard (JAS). Based on the review outcome, the CFIA has determined that the scope of the current Japan-Canada Organic Equivalency Arrangement (JCOEA) can be expanded to include organic alcohol beverages, under the conditions set forth in Appendix 1.

Pursuant to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Act and the Safe Food For Canadians Act, the CFIA has determined that agricultural products of plant origin, including fungi and processed foods of plant origin, including alcohol beverages, livestock products and processed food product containing livestock ingredients limited to the specified scope of the livestock by organic JAS, which are grown or produced in Japan or whose final processing or packaging occurs within Japan and are:

are deemed equivalent to those products that have been produced and processed in accordance with Part 13 of Safe Food for Canadians Regulations ((SFCR) 2019); and may be sold, labelled and represented in Canada as organic, including display of the Canada Organic Logo as well as the Japanese organic seal.

This recognition will be effective as of August 31, 2023 under the conditions set forth in Appendix 1.

The requirements outlined in Appendix 2 apply to imported organic products.

The CFIA team, which administers Part 13 of the SFCR, is committed to working with Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries to carry out the terms of this letter.

Sincerely,

Dr Parthi Muthukumarasamy
Executive Director
International Programs Directorate
Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)

Appendix 1 – Conditions for granting equivalency

The equivalency decision of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is subject to the following:

  1. The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) and National Tax Agency (NTA) (NTA only with respect to the organic alcohol beverages) of Japan will notify the CFIA in a timely manner of any;
    1. Changes with respect to Japan's competent authority and accredited Certification bodies;
    2. Proposed legislation or rulemaking in Japan that would modify the Japan Agricultural Standard (JAS);
    3. Instances of significant non-compliance with the Japanese organic certification program. For purposes of this equivalency determination, "significant" means any non-conformity that materially affects the integrity of the organic product subject to this recognition.
  2. Following advance notice from the CFIA, the MAFF will permit the CFIA to conduct evaluations (document reviews or on-site visits) to verify how the JAS accredited certification bodies carry out the requirements of Japan's organic certification program. The MAFF will cooperate and assist the CFIA, to the extent permitted under domestic law, in carrying out such evaluations.
  3. The MAFF will submit an annual report to the CFIA that will cover the organic activities for the previous year by March 31 of the current year.
  4. The CFIA and the MAFF will participate in discussions or other means they deem appropriate to resolve any issue raised regarding the application of, or the activities covered under, the JCOEA, such as establishing a Technical Working Group to address and resolve application and other issues with the equivalency recognition.
  5. If the CFIA decides to change its criteria for determining equivalency, it will notify the MAFF and NTA in writing in advance.
  6. By July 2025, the Technical Working Group will review the functioning of this letter with a view to proposing any changes, as needed.

Appendix 2 – Import conditions

The following import conditions apply:

  1. JAS non-regulated Japanese organic products (for example, honey, aquaculture products, seaweed) as well as organic feed can be imported and sold in Canada as organic as long as they are certified to the Canadian Organic Standard by a CFIA accredited Certification Body. These imported organic products must be accompanied by a valid organic certificate issued by a CFIA accredited Certification Body.
  2. JAS products covered under this letter and imported into Canada will be accompanied by an export certificate issued by a MAFF accredited Certification Body recognized under the current JCOEA that attests to compliance with the terms of this letter.

Letter to the Executive Director, International Programs Directorate, Canadian Food Inspection Agency

28 July, 2023

Dr Parthi Muthukumarasamy
Executive Director
International Programs Directorate
Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)

Dear Dr. Parthi Muthukumarasamy:

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in Japan (MAFF) and National Tax Agency (NTA) (NTA only with respect to the organic alcohol beverages) have reviewed the Canadian organic certification program.

Based on the review outcome, MAFF and NTA (NTA only with respect to the organic alcohol beverages) have determined that the scope of the current Japan-Canada Organic Equivalency Arrangement (JCOEA) will be expanded to include organic alcohol beverages, under the conditions set forth in Appendix 1.

Accordingly, the relevant organic products (organic products of plant origin (including fungi), organic livestock products and organic processed food products (including organic alcohol beverages)) which are:

may be sold, labeled and represented in Japan as organic, including display of the Organic JAS logo as well as the Canada Organic Logo. This scope expansion will be effective as of 31st August 2023.

The requirements for other imported organic products are outlined in Appendix 2.

MAFF and NTA are committed to working with the CFIA to carry out the terms stipulated in this letter.

Sincerely,

Miyaura Kouji
Director-General for New Business and Food Industry
Minister's Secretariat
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

Hoshiya Kazuhiko
First Deputy Commissioner
National Tax Agency

Appendix 1 – Conditions for granting equivalency

The equivalency decision made by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) and National Tax Agency (NTA) (NTA only with respect to the organic alcohol beverages) will be subject to the following:

  1. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) will notify the MAFF and NTA in a timely manner of any;
    1. changes with respect to Canada's competent authority and accredited certification bodies;
    2. proposed legislation or rulemaking in Canada that would modify Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR) 2019;
    3. instances of significant non-compliance with the CFIA organic certification program. For purposes of this equivalency determination, "significant" means any non-conformity that materially affects the integrity of the organic product subject to this recognition.
  2. Following advance notice from the MAFF CFIA will permit the MAFF to conduct evaluations (document reviews or on-site visits) to verify how the CFIA accredited certification bodies carry out the requirements of Canada's organic certification program. CFIA will cooperate and assist the MAFF to the extent permitted under domestic law, in carrying out such evaluations.
  3. CFIA is expected to submit an annual report to the MAFF that contains information regarding the types and quantities of Canadian organic products exported under this recognition for the previous year by March 31 of the current year.
  4. MAFF and CFIA will participate in discussions or other means they deem appropriate to resolve any issue raised regarding the application of or the activities covered under this recognition for example, establishing a Technical Working Group to address and resolve application and other issues.
  5. Should the MAFF and NTA (NTA only with respect to organic alcohol beverages) decide to change its criteria for determining equivalency, they will notify CFIA in writing in advance.
  6. By July 2025, the Organic Working Group will review the functioning of this letter with a view to proposing any changes, as needed.

Appendix 2 – Import of other organic products

The following import –requirements apply;

  1. JAS non-regulated Canadian organic products (for example, honey, seaweed,) as well as organic feed can be imported and sold in Japan as organic as long as they are certified to the Canadian Organic Standard by a CFIA-accredited Certification Body and comply with the Organic Products Regulations, including labelling requirements for the use of the Canada Organic logo. These can be labelled and sold in Japan as organic without JAS logos or certification.
  2. Any plants, livestock products and processed plant or livestock products limited to the specified scope of the livestock by Organic JAS certified under CAN/CGSB-32.312 can not be labelled and sold in Japan as organic even if certified as organic in Canada.

Letter to the Director General, Food Industry Bureau, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

1400 Merivale Road
Tower 2, 6th Floor
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0Y9

July 7, 2020

Mr. Shiokawa Shirara
Director General
Food Industry Bureau
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
Tokyo, Japan

Subject: Recognition of Equivalency with Japan

Dear Mr. Shiokawa,

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) reviewed the Japan organic certification program as set out in the Japan Agricultural Standard (JAS).

Pursuant to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Act and the Safe Food For Canadians Act, the CFIA has determined that agricultural products of plant origin, including fungi and processed foods of plant origin as well as livestock products and processed food product containing livestock ingredients limited to the specified scope of the livestock by organic JAS, which are grown or produced in Japan or whose final processing or packaging occurs within Japan and are:

are deemed equivalent to those products that have been produced and processed in accordance with Part 13 of Safe Food for Canadians Regulations ((SFCR) 2019); and may be sold, labelled and represented in Canada as organic, including display of the Canada Organic Logo as well as the Japanese organic seal. This recognition will be effective as of July 16 2020 under the conditions set forth in Appendix 1.

The requirements outlined in Appendix 2 apply to imported organic products.

The CFIA team, which administers Part 13 of the SFCR, is committed to working with Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries to carry out the terms of this letter.

Sincerely,
Lyzette Lamondin
Executive Director
International Programs Directorate
Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Appendix 1 – Conditions for granting equivalency

The equivalency decision of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is subject to the following:

  1. The Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) will notify the CFIA in a timely manner of any;
    • (a) changes with respect to Japan's competent authority and accredited Certification bodies;
    • (b) proposed legislation or rulemaking in Japan that would modify the Japan Agricultural Standard (JAS);
    • (c) instances of significant non-compliance with MAFF's organic certification program. For purposes of this equivalency determination, "significant" means any non-conformity that materially affects the integrity of the organic product subject to this recognition.
  2. Following advance notice from the CFIA, MAFF will permit the CFIA to conduct evaluations (document reviews or on-site visits) to verify how the JAS accredited certification bodies carry out the requirements of Japan's organic certification program. MAFF will cooperate and assist the CFIA, to the extent permitted under domestic law, in carrying out such evaluations.
  3. MAFF will submit an annual report to the CFIA that will cover the organic activities for the previous year by March 31 of the current year.
  4. Canada and Japan will participate in discussions or other means they deem appropriate to resolve any issue raised regarding the application of or the activities covered under the arrangement such as establishing Technical Working Group to address and resolve implementation and other issues with the equivalency recognition.
  5. If the CFIA decides to change its criteria for determining equivalency, it will notify MAFF in writing in advance
  6. By July 2025, the Technical Working Group will review the functioning of this letter with a view to proposing any changes, as needed.

Appendix 2 – Import provisions

The following import provisions apply:

  1. JAS non-regulated Japanese organic products (e.g. honey, aquaculture products, seaweed) as well as organic feed can be imported and sold in Canada as organic as long as they are certified to the Canadian Organic Standard by a CFIA accredited Certification body. These imported organic products must be accompanied by a valid organic certificate issued by a CFIA accredited Certification body.
  2. JAS – product covered under Appendix 1 and imported into Canada:
    • Must be accompanied by an export certificate issued by a MAFF accredited Certification body recognized under the existing organic equivalency agreement between Canada and Japan that attests to compliance with the terms of this letter.

Letter to the Executive Director, International Programs Directorate, Canadian Food Inspection Agency

July 9, 2020

Ms. Lyzette Lamondin
Executive Director
International Programs Directorate
Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)

Dear Ms. Lamondin,

The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in Japan (MAFF) has reviewed the Canadian organic certification program.

Based on the review, MAFF recognizes that the organic products system (livestock products and processed food product containing livestock ingredients limited to the specified scope of the livestock by organic JAS) in Canada stipulated by the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR) 2019 is equivalent to the organic certification system under the Act on Japanese Agricultural Standards under the conditions set forth in Appendix 1.

Accordingly, agricultural products of plant origin, including fungi and processed foods of plant origin, as well as livestock product and processed food product containing livestock ingredients which are grown or processed in Canada or whose final processing or packaging occurs within Canada and are:

may be sold, labelled and represented in Japan as organic, including display of the Organic JAS logo as well as the Canada Organic Logo. This recognition will be effective as of July 16, 2020.

The requirements for other imported organic products are outlined in Appendix 2.

MAFF is committed to working with the CFIA to carry out the terms of the determination as stipulated in this letter.

Sincerely,
Shiokawa Shirara
Director-General
Food Industry Bureau
Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

Appendix 1 – Conditions for granting equivalency

The equivalency decision of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) is subject to the following:

  1. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) will notify the MAFF in a timely manner of any;
    • (a) changes with respect to Canada's competent authority and accredited certification bodies;
    • (b) proposed legislation or rulemaking in Canada that would modify Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR) 2019;
    • (c) instances of significant non-compliance with the CFIA organic certification program. For purposes of this equivalency determination, "significant" means any non-conformity that materially affects the integrity of the organic product subject to this recognition.
  2. Following advance notice from the MAFF, CFIA will permit the MAFF to conduct evaluations (document reviews or on-site visits) to verify how the CFIA accredited certification bodies carry out the requirements of Canada's organic certification program. CFIA will cooperate and assist the MAFF, to the extent permitted under domestic law, in carrying out such evaluations.
  3. CFIA is expected to submit an annual report to the MAFF that contains information regarding the types and quantities of Canadian organic products exported under this recognition for the previous year by March 31 of the current year.
  4. MAFF and CFIA will participate in discussions or other means they deem appropriate to resolve any issue raised regarding the application of or the activities covered under this recognition e.g. establishing a Technical Working Group to address and resolve implementation and other issues.
  5. Should the MAFF decide to change its criteria for determining equivalency, it will notify CFIA in writing in advance.
  6. By July 2025, the Organic Working Group will review the functioning of this letter with a view to proposing any changes, as needed.

Appendix 2 – Import of other organic products

The following import – requirements apply;

  1. JAS non-regulated Canadian organic products (e.g., honey, seaweed,) as well as organic feed can be imported and sold in Japan as organic as long as they are certified to the Canadian Organic Standard by a CFIA-accredited Certification Body and comply with the Organic Products Regulations, including labelling requirements for the use of the Canada Organic logo. These can be labelled and sold in Japan as organic without JAS logos or certification.
  2. Any plants, livestock products and processed plant or livestock products limited to the specified scope of the livestock by Organic JAS certified under CAN/CGSB-32.312 can not be labelled and sold in Japan as organic even if certified as organic in Canada.
  3. If the alcoholic beverage is labelled with the word "organic" in the Japanese language, then a certificate that includes the name of the certified alcoholic beverage, the name and the address of the certified farm or brewery, the number and date of certification, the address and name of the operator, the country of origin, and the address and name of the certifying body is required to accompany export. The certificate must be issued by a CFIA accredited certification body.
Date modified: