Organic Certification

 of Farms and Businesses Producing Agricultural Products

By Ann H. Baier, National 

Center for Appropriate 

Technology (NCAT) 

Agriculture Specialist and 

Lisa Ahramjian, National 

Organic Program (NOP) 

Publications Manager

November 2012

Contents

What is organic?

Organic is a labeling term for food or other agricultural products that have been 

produced according to the USDA organic regulations. These standards require the 

integration of cultural, biological, and mechanical practices that foster cycling of 

resources, promote ecological balance, and conserve biodiversity. This means that organic 

operations must maintain or enhance soil and water quality while also conserving wetlands, 

woodlands, and wildlife. Synthetic fertilizers, sewage sludge, irradiation, and genetic engineering may not be used. 

All organic crops and livestock must be raised in a production system that emphasizes protection of natural resources; plant and animal health; preventative management of pests, 

diseases, and predators; and compliant use of allowed materials. All organic products must 

be protected from prohibited substances and methods from the field to the point of final 

sale, whether it is a raw agricultural commodity or a multi-ingredient, processed product. 

This publication provides an overview of organic certification and provides some 

additional resources for prospective organic farms and businesses.

What is organic certification?

Organic certification verifies that your farm or handling facility located anywhere in the 

world complies with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) organic regulations and 

allows you to sell, label, and represent your products as organic. These regulations describe 

the specific standards required for you to use the word “organic” or the USDA organic seal 

on food, feed, or fiber products. The USDA National Organic Program (NOP) administers 

these regulations, with substantial input from its citizen advisory board and the public.

Your farm or handling facility would be certified by a private, foreign, or State entity. These 

certifying agents are accredited by the USDA and are located throughout the United States 

and around the world. Certifying agents are responsible for ensuring that USDA organic 

products meet or exceed all organic standards. Certification provides the consumer, whether 

end-user or intermediate processor, assurance of the organic product’s integrity.

Who needs to be certified?

If your farm or business receives more than $5,000 in gross annual organic sales, it must 

be certified.

If your farm or business receives less than $5,000 in gross annual organic sales, it is considered “exempt” from two key requirements.

Certification. Your farm or business doesn’t need to be certified in order to sell, label, or represent your products as organic. However, you may not use the USDA organic seal on your 

products or refer to them as certified organic. If your operation is exempt and you would like 

to use the USDA organic seal, you are welcome to obtain optional organic certification.

What is organic?...................................1

What is organic certification?.......1

Who needs to be certified?...........1

What types of products 

are eligible for organic 

certification?...........................................2

Why is certification required?......2

How do I pick a certifying 

agent?.........................................................2

How do I get certified?....................3

Is there a transition period?..........4

How much does organic 

certification cost?................................4

How often does my 

certification need to be 

renewed?..................................................4

How are the certifying 

agent and inspector related?.......4

What does the inspector 

typically look for?.................................5

What happens if an 

operation violates the 

USDA organic regulations?............6

Can I use the USDA 

organic seal?...........................................6

What about other labeling 

claims?........................................................6

Once certified, can I export 

USDA organic products to 

another country?.................................6

Resources.................................................7
Page 2 www.ams.usda.gov/nop Organic Certification

Organic System Plan. You are not required to document the specific practices and 

substances used to produce and/or handle organic products. 

You must follow all other requirements in the USDA organic regulations, including production or handling requirements and recordkeeping. You may not sell your products as 

ingredients for use in someone else’s certified organic product. Buyers may require that you 

sign an affidavit stating that you adhere to USDA organic regulations. 

What types of products are eligible 

for organic certification?

USDA standards recognize four categories of organic production: 

•	 Crops. Plants that are grown to be harvested as food, livestock feed, or fiber used 

to add nutrients to the field.

•	 Livestock. Animals that can be used for food or in the production of food, 

fiber, or feed.

•	 Processed/multi-ingredient products. Items that have been handled and packaged 

(e.g., chopped carrots) or combined, processed, and packaged (e.g., bread or soup).

•	 Wild crops. Plants from a growing site that is not cultivated.

Why is certification required?

In the 1980s, there were multiple organizations in the United States offering certification 

to different, and often conflicting, organic standards. Coupled with fraud and resulting 

consumer mistrust, this landscape created a need for Federal standards and oversight. 

The Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 established national standards for the production and handling of organic agricultural products. The Act authorized USDA to create 

the NOP, which is responsible for developing, and ensuring compliance with, the USDA 

organic regulations. 

Consumers choose to purchase organic products with the expectation that they are grown, 

processed, and handled according to the USDA organic regulations. A high-quality regulatory program benefits organic farmers and processors by taking action against those who 

violate the law and thereby jeopardize consumer confidence in organic products. 

How do I choose a certifying agent?

You may choose any of the USDA-accredited certifying agents listed at www.ams.usda.gov/

NOPACAs, which lists certifying agents by U.S. State and around the world.

Each of these certifying agents is authorized to issue an equivalent organic certificate to 

operations that comply with the USDA organic regulations. When selecting a certifying 

agent, you may wish to consider the following criteria:

•	 Distance to your farm or business.

•	 Fee structure.

•	 Accreditation to other standards. See “What about other labeling claims?” below.

•	 Additional services, such as educational resources or member services.

Additional tips from the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Institute on selecting 

a certifying agent are available at http://bit.ly/certifierselection.

Related ATTRA 

publications

www.attra.ncat.org

Preparing for an 

Organic Inspection: 

Steps and Checklists 

Organic Standards for 

Crop Production: Excerpts of 

USDA’s National Organic 

Program Regulations 

Organic Standards for 

Livestock Production: 

Excerpts of USDA’s National 

Organic Program Regulations

Organic Standards for 

Handling: Excerpts of USDA’s 

National Organic Program 

Guide for Organic 

Crop Producers

Guide for Organic 

Livestock Producers

Guide for Organic Processors
Organic Certification Page 3

How do I get certified?

To become certified, you must submit an application for organic certification to a USDAaccredited certifying agent, which may be a State, private, or foreign organization. This 

application must include:

•	 A detailed description of the operation to be certified.

•	 A history of substances applied to land during the previous three years.

•	 The names of the organic products grown, raised, or processed.

•	 A written Organic System Plan (OSP) describing the practices and substances 

to be used.

Certifying agents first review your written application in order to ensure that practices comply with organic regulations. They will also schedule a qualified inspector to visit your operation to verify that you are following your OSP, maintaining appropriate records, and meeting 

all requirements of the USDA organic regulations. Afterward, the certifying agent reviews 

the inspector’s report. If the written application and the inspection report show that your 

operation complies with the organic regulations, the certifying agent will grant an organic 

certificate to your operation. The process is described below:

Certifying agent reviews materials

to verify that practices comply 

with USDA organic regulations

Inspector conducts an onsite 

inspection of applicant’s operation

Certifying agent reviews the 

application and the inspector’s 

report to determine if the applicant 

complies with the USDA organic 

regulations

Certifying agent issues organic 

certicate to applicant

Certifying agent reviews

the application and the 

inspector’s report to

determine if the applicant 

still complies with the 

organic standards

Inspector conducts an 

onsite inspection of the 

applicant’s operation

Producer or handler 

provides annual update

and fees to certifying agent

Annual 

Recertification 

Process

Producer or handler adopts organic 

practices; submits application and 

fees to certifying agent

Figure 1: The Organic Certification Process
Page 4 www.ams.usda.gov/nop Organic Certification

Is there a transition period?

Yes. Any land used to produce raw organic commodities must not have had prohibited substances applied to it for the previous 3 years. Until the full 36-month transition period is 

met, you may not do the following:

•	 Sell, label, or represent the product as “organic.”

•	 Use the USDA organic or certifying agent’s seal.

The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service provides technical and financial assistance during the transition period through its Environmental Quality Incentives Program. 

For more information, go online at www.nrcs.usda.gov.

How much does organic certification cost?

Actual certification costs or fees vary widely depending on the certifying agent and the 

size, type, and complexity of your operation. Certification costs may range from a few 

hundred to several thousand dollars. Before you apply, it is important that you understand 

your certifier’s fee structure and billing cycle. Typically, there is an application fee, annual 

renewal fee, and assessment on annual production or sales, as well as inspection fees. If you 

are well prepared for an efficient inspection, your inspection fees will typically be lower. 

Some certifiers combine these costs into a single, fixed annual fee calculated for each operation; others charge them separately. 

Once certified, the USDA Organic Certification Cost-Share Programs reimburses producers and handlers up to 75 percent of organic certification costs. To learn more, visit 

www.ams.usda.gov/organicinfo. 

How often does my certification 

need to be renewed?

Your certification will need to be renewed each year. Your certifying agent will request 

recertification fees and an updated application (including an OSP) that reflects any 

changes since your initial certification. The certifying agent will also schedule a qualified inspector to visit your farm or business to verify that you are following your 

updated OSP, maintaining appropriate records, and meeting all requirements of the 

USDA organic regulations. Most inspections are scheduled with you in advance, but 

some inspections are unannounced. The inspector then submits a report to the certifier, 

and, as described in the steps above, the certifier makes the certification decision based 

on information provided in the report and your OSP.

How are the certifying agent and 

inspector related?

Since the inspector is often the only person you meet face-to-face throughout the certification process, it is natural to equate the inspector with the certifying agent. Since both 

parties have distinct roles, it is important to understand which services each party can and 

cannot provide. 

Certifying agent. The certifying agent is responsible for collecting fees, reviewing your 

application and the inspection report, and determining whether your operation is certified 

organic. The certifying agent must maintain strict confidentiality, protect your proprietary 

information, and prevent conflicts of interest among the three key parties: you (the certified operation), the certifying agent, and the inspector. 

Your 

certification 

will need to be 

renewed each year.
Organic Certification Page 5

Inspector. The primary role of the inspector is to gather onsite information and provide an 

accurate report to the certifier. The inspector works at the direction of, and on behalf of, 

the certifier. 

The knowledge and experience of many inspectors make them an excellent resource on 

matters ranging from pest management and livestock health care to marketing and sources 

of purchased inputs. You have the option of hiring an organic consultant who may or may 

not also be an organic inspector. To manage potential conflicts of interest, the following 

rules apply:

Organic inspectors can do the following:

•	 Provide you with information about the certification process.

•	 Answer general questions about requirements of the USDA organic regulations.

•	 Describe the range of practices and/or types of documentation that the certifier 

considers sufficient to demonstrate compliance.

•	 Make referrals to public resources or sources of information, such as Cooperative 

Extension services or publications, USDA agencies, farm organizations, trade associations, and ATTRA resources.

Organic inspectors cannot do the following:

•	 Make the certification decision.

•	 Give you advice or provide consultancy services for overcoming identified 

barriers to certification.

•	 Inspect your operation if he/she is an immediate family member.

•	 Inspect your operation if he/she holds any type of financial interest in it.

•	 Inspect your operation if he/she has provided paid consulting services within one 

year of application.

•	 Accept gifts, favors, or payments from you other than the prescribed fee.

What does the inspector typically look for?

On the farm, an inspector would observe your onsite practices and compare them 

to your OSP; assess the risk of contamination from prohibited materials; and 

perhaps take soil, tissue, or product samples as needed. The inspector will also look at the 

following depending on your farm:

Crop inspection. Fields, soil conditions, crop health, approaches to management of weeds 

and other crop pests, water systems (for irrigation and post-harvest handling), storage 

areas, and equipment. 

Livestock inspection. Feed production and purchase records, feed rations, animal living 

conditions, preventative health management practices (vaccinations and other medications used or planned for use), health records, and the number and condition of animals 

present on the farm. 

At a handling or processing facility, an inspector would inspect your facility and compare their observations with your OSP. The inspector would evaluate the receiving, 

processing, and storage areas used for organic ingredients and finished products. The 

inspector would also analyze potential hazards and critical control points in your operation. The inspector would also ensure that your organic control points—procedures to 

prevent contamination from sanitation systems, pest management materials, or nonorganic processing aids—are adequate. If your facility also processes nonorganic ingredients or products, the inspector will also evaluate your measures to prevent commingling 

with nonorganic ingredients or products. 

An organic 

inspector must 

not make the 

certification decision.
Page 6 www.ams.usda.gov/nop Organic Certification

What happens if an operation violates 

the USDA organic regulations?

Punishments may include financial penalties up to $11,000 per violation and/or suspension 

or revocation of an operation’s organic certificate. If the USDA or your certifying agent suspects that your farm or business is violating the USDA organic regulations, USDA or the 

agent may perform an unannounced inspection as part of the investigation. 

Can I use the USDA organic seal?

The following products may be labeled with the USDA organic seal:

•	 Raw agricultural commodities that have been certified organic.

•	 Processed or multi-ingredient products that have been certified organic and 

contain 95 to 100 percent organic content.

The following products may not be labeled with the USDA organic seal:

•	 Any product that has not been certified organic by an accredited certifying agent.

This includes exempt operations, described in “Who needs to be certified?” above.

•	 Processed or multi-ingredient products that contain less than 95 percent 

organic content.

If your product contains at least 70 percent organic content, it may be labeled as “made 

with” up to three specified organic ingredients but not labeled with the USDA organic seal. 

For example, a soup label’s principle display panel could state, “made with organic carrots, 

lentils, and potatoes.” These products must be overseen by a certifying agent.

If your product contains less than 70 percent organic content, any organic ingredients may 

be specified on the list of ingredients.

What about other labeling claims?

All marketing claims, including organic, must reflect reality and fulfill truth-in-advertising 

rules. Many of these claims also require additional certification to government or association standards before they can be used. Examples of other claims that may or may not be 

appropriate for you to include on your organic product label include: Kosher, Halal, Fair 

Trade, biodynamic, free-range, grass-fed, humane, wildlife-friendly, and pesticide-free. Be 

sure that any and all terms are appropriately used.

Once certified, can I export USDA organic 

products to another country?

The United States currently has organic trade agreements that allow USDA organic products to be exported to Canada, the European Union, Japan, and Taiwan as long as the 

terms of the agreement are met. These partnerships avoid the need for you to maintain 

certification to multiple organic standards. You can learn more about each partnership at 

www.ams.usda.gov/NOPInternationalAgreements. 

If you want to export organic products to a country not listed above, you will need to use 

a certifying agent that is accredited to that country’s organic standards. If you want to sell 

products in both the United States and that country, you will need to maintain certification to both standards.

I

f the USDA or your 

certifying agent 

suspects that your 

farm or business is 

violating the USDA 

organic regulations, they 

may do an unannounced 

inspection as part of their 

investigation.
Organic Certification Page 7

Resources

ATTRA

www.attra.ncat.org

ATTRA-National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service is managed by the National 

Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT). ATTRA has produced more than 300 publications on a variety of sustainable-agriculture topics as well as a number of webinars and 

other resources. 

Independent Organic Inspector’s Association (IOIA) 

www.ioia.net

IOIA is a professional, nonprofit association of organic farm, livestock, and processing 

inspectors. IOIA provides comprehensive organic inspector training worldwide, promotes 

consistency and integrity in the certification process, and addresses issues and concerns 

relevant to organic inspectors. 

International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM)

www.ifoam.org 

IFOAM is the worldwide umbrella organization for the organic movement, uniting more 

than 750 member organizations in 116 countries. 

Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service (MOSES) 

www.mosesorganic.org

MOSES serves farmers striving to produce high-quality, healthy food using organic and 

sustainable techniques that support thriving ecosystems and vibrant rural communities. 

National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT)

www.ncat.org

The National Center for Appropriate Technology is a national, nonprofit organization that 

offers programs in sustainable agriculture, sustainable energy, and community development. One of the sustainable-agriculture programs is ATTRA, listed above. 

Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) 

www.omri.org

OMRI evaluates materials for use in most aspects of organic production and handling, 

including processing. It publishes guides of approved inputs to help you understand which 

substances are allowed (including restrictions or annotations, as applicable) and prohibited 

in your operation. 

Organic Trade Association (OTA)

www.ota.com

This membership-based business association represents the organic industry in the United 

States, Canada, and Mexico. It works to promote organic products in the marketplace and 

to protect the integrity of organic standards. 

USDA National Organic Program (NOP)

www.ams.usda.gov/nop

NOP’s mission is to ensure the integrity of USDA organic products in the United States and 

throughout the world. The NOP implements the Organic Foods Production Act through 

development and enforcement of the USDA organic regulations. One of its publications, 

the NOP Program Handbook, helps organic operaitions and certifying agents comply with 

the USDA organic regulations.
Page 8 www.ams.usda.gov/nop Organic Certification

For more information, please contact the 

USDA National Organic Program:

 National Organic Program

Agricultural Marketing Service

U.S. Department of Agriculture

1400 Independence Avenue, SW

Stop 0268, Room 2648-S

Washington, DC 20250-0268

Tel. 202-720-3252

Fax 202-205-7808

www.ams.usda.gov/NOP

This publication is available online at:

www.attra.ncat.org

or by calling NCAT’s ATTRA project: 800-346-9140

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