US-Canada Organic Equivalency Arrangement

To: Conformity verification bodies

Date: June 15, 2010

On June 17, 2009 the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) exchanged letters confirming the equivalency of the two countries' organic programs with some exceptions.

The Arrangement covers the accreditation system of both regulations in its geographical entirety meaning that agricultural products certified in accordance with the terms of the US-Canada Organic Equivalency Arrangement are eligible for sale as organic in both countries. The product being traded under this arrangement does not have to originate within either country.

The arrangement only applies to those certification bodies who are accredited directly by either authority. Pursuant to section 27(2) from the Organic Products Regulations, National Organic Program (NOP) has already provided to CFIA the list of the foreign certification bodies that are under the oversight of the NOP.

The arrangement does not cover other country to country agreements by either party.

Product covered under the agreement may carry either or both logos provided it follows the rules for using the logos.

The product must meet the labelling requirements of the country where the product is marketed.