1

INDUSTRY / USDA-APHIS-PPQ OFFSHORE GREENHOUSE 

CERTIFICATION PROGRAM (OGCP) FRAMEWORK

Version 2.0- August 2022

Table of Content:

1 Background .............................................................................................................................. 2

2 Program Requirements............................................................................................................. 3

2.1 Eligible commodity.......................................................................................................... 3

2.2 Annual Certification......................................................................................................... 3

2.3 Use the APHIS’s CORE Message Set.............................................................................. 3

2.4 Import Requirements........................................................................................................ 3

3 Minimum sanitation and production Protocol.......................................................................... 4

3.1 Plant Production Process.................................................................................................. 4

3.2 Place of Production Infrastructure.................................................................................... 5

3.3 Minimum Production and Sanitation Standards............................................................... 6

3.4 Pest and Pathogen Best Management Practices............................................................... 9

3.5 Training program for all personnel ................................................................................ 10

4 Greenhouse Certification Process .......................................................................................... 11

4.1 Cooperative Service Agreement and Trust Fund ........................................................... 11

4.2 Annual certification........................................................................................................ 11

5 Port of Entry Clearance Process............................................................................................. 11

5.1 Phytosanitary Certificate ................................................................................................ 11

6 Program oversight and suspension......................................................................................... 11

6.1 Non-compliance ............................................................................................................. 11

6.2 Non-conformance........................................................................................................... 12

7 Appendix 1: Glossary............................................................................................................. 13

8 Appendix 2: APHIS-Approved Plant Taxa List for the OGCP ............................................. 15

9 Appendix 3: List of Approved Disinfectants ......................................................................... 16

10 Appendix 4: Example of Checklist for Certification Audit- Offshore Greenhouse 

Certification Program.................................................................................................................... 21

11 Appendix 5: Example of Corrective Action Request (CAR) Form................................... 34
2

1 BACKGROUND 

PPQ and the U.S. nursery industry are working together to protect American agriculture by 

ensuring that imported plant cuttings are free from potentially harmful regulated pests and 

diseases. Growing plants in certified greenhouses under a systems approach can effectively 

mitigate most of the pest risk offshore. Channeling the bulk of the high-volume, highly seasonal 

vegetative cutting trade into a certification program will not only safeguard American agriculture 

but will also address peak season challenges at PPQ’s plant inspection stations. By inspecting low 

risk plant material at a reduced intensity or frequency, PPQ inspectors can focus inspections on

higher risk imports.

To do this, PPQ and the nursery industry partnered to implement the offshore greenhouse 

certification program (OGCP). As part of this program, participating offshore facilities may benefit 

with a reduced inspection frequency at the U.S. plant inspection stations (PIS) when shipping pest 

free plant cuttings for commercial consignments that meet the following criteria: 

• Consist of only unrooted cuttings from the APHIS-approved taxa list (see Appendix 2)

• Unrooted cuttings must be produced in a greenhouse which is certified yearly by APHIS.

• Use APHIS CORE Message Set1 single window system to submit required import data

• Meet all permit and import requirements as stated in 7 CFR 319.37 and Plants for 

Planting Manual.

Participation in the OGCP is voluntary, and it is not a condition of entry for generally admissible 

plants.

While similar to the APHIS Minimum Sanitation Protocols for Offshore Geranium Cutting 

Production, OGCP will remain distinct from the Pelargonium program, a greenhouse certification 

program designed to mitigate the risk of introducing the select agent Ralstonia solanacearum race 

3 biovar 2, a serious pathogen of tomatoes, potatoes, and eggplants.

For additional information, please refer for the OGCP website, review the Frequently Asked 

Questions or contact the program manager at OGCP@usda.gov.

1 For more information about APHIS CORE Message Set please visit: 

https://www.cbp.gov/document/guidance/aphis-ace-pga-message-set-implementation-guide-core

and https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/importexport/ace.
3

2 PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

2.1 ELIGIBLE COMMODITY 

Only unrooted cuttings of generally admissible approved taxa are eligible in the OGCP (see 

Appendix 2). Several types of cuttings can be taken from the parent stock depending on the point 

at which the cutting is taken, including stem cuttings, leaf cuttings, and leaf-bud cuttings. For stem 

cuttings, the stage of the cutting shall be herbaceous or softwood only. 

2.2 ANNUAL CERTIFICATION

All offshore facilities or productions site must be certified by APHIS before participating in the 

OGCP. Certification will require a mandatory, yearly, full system facility audit by APHIS which 

includes meeting or exceeding minimum standards for facility construction, security, production 

and sanitation, pest management, training, and record-keeping. APHIS will work with the nursery 

industry and appropriate national plant protection organizations (NPPOs) to audit and issue/reissue the facility certificate once a year.

2.3 USE THE APHIS’S CORE MESSAGE SET

Facilities participating in the program must submit the required import information, producer name 

and certified facility number using the APHIS’s core message set in all unrooted cuttings 

consignments (eligible and not eligible for the OGCP) from the certified facility. This system 

allows for an expedited inspection process at the USDA plant inspection stations. Shipments from 

participating facilities will be inspected at a reduced rate, unless pest or problems are experienced, 

expediting the transit time from the facility to the end customer. 

For questions about the APHIS core message set, please contact ACE.ITDS@usda.gov.

2.4 IMPORT REQUIREMENTS

All OGCP exports of generally admissible unrooted cuttings must meet all the permit and import 

requirements stated in 7 CFR 319.37 and the Plants for Planting Manual. 

Only consignments consisting solely of approved plant taxa from a single approved facility are 

eligible for the program and will benefit from the reduced frequency of inspection at the port of 

entry. Comingling of approved and non-approved plant taxa or comingling of plants from different 

approved facilities is not eligible for the program and, hence, will be not benefit from a reduced 

inspection rate at the port of entry.
4

3 MINIMUM SANITATION AND PRODUCTION PROTOCOL

3.1 PLANT PRODUCTION PROCESS

3.1.1 Nuclear Block- The first generation (G1) refers to the tissue culture or original 

nuclear plants that have been tested and found free of pathogens of concern. Nuclear

stock plant blocks are subject to periodic renewal.

3.1.2 Increase Block- Generation two (G2) or generation three (G3-second increase block)

plant material is propagated from G1 or G2, respectively, in separate, defined 

growing zones or increase blocks subject to the minimum facility, production, and 

sanitation standards mentioned in this document.

3.1.3 Production Block- Generation three (G3) or four (G4) plant material is propagated 

from G2 or G3, respectively, in dedicated structures or production zones that are 

separate from increase blocks, and subject to the minimum facility, production, and 

sanitation standards. Plant material destined for delivery to the nursery’s customer.

3.1.4 Under this systems approach, there is a unidirectional flow of plants for planting 

which starts with nuclear stock, then increase, then production (Figure 1). Production 

stock is not used to renew the nuclear stock unless plants are subjected to the cleanup and testing process used to develop the nuclear stock in the first place. Facilities 

must provide documentation that confirms the clean-up and testing process, if 

applicable. 

3.1.5 In order to safeguard against cross-contamination, approved plant taxa should be 

grown on a dedicated growing area with adequate spacing and/or physical barriers 

from unapproved, generally admissible plant taxa. OGCP approved plant taxa must 

not be grown in the same greenhouse compartment with any other plant genus that is 

restricted importation into the United States.

3.1.6 Access to increase blocks and production blocks should be restricted and only 

allowed when adequate preventive hygiene measures are taken.

FIGURE 1: VEGETATIVE CUTTING PRODUCTION PROCESS
5

3.2 PLACE OF PRODUCTION INFRASTRUCTURE

3.2.1 A place of production (or facility) is considered the regulated physical entity for 

purposes of this program. Entry to places of production must be secured to avoid 

passage of contaminated plant materials. Trucks entering the facility must have tires 

cleaned and disinfected before entry into the production area or vehicles should be 

excluded from the production area.

3.2.2 All plant material grown for the purpose of production of approved plants for 

planting destined for the United States must be propagated and maintained in 

greenhouses.

3.2.3 Greenhouse and Grading area Infrastructure:

3.2.3.1 Any infrastructure where plants are exposed to the environment such as in 

greenhouses and grading area must be covered with an approved material

(glass, polycarbonate, or polyethylene). The sides of greenhouses must be 

enclosed with an approved covering or screen with openings of 1.2 mm x 1.2 

mm (No. 16) or less. Screens and other physical barriers must be used to 

prevent entry of pests into the structure.

3.2.3.2 A buffer composed of gravel, crushed rock, concrete, or covered by weed cloth 

must surround the outer perimeter of the greenhouses. This buffer must be at 

least one meter wide, free of plants, grass or weeds and, sloped and/or with 

canals so that water drains away from the greenhouse.

3.2.3.3 Floors must be a hard surface such as concrete, crushed rock, or weed cloth 

with a layer of gravel covering all bare soil. Floors must drain properly to 

prevent puddles of water.

3.2.3.4 Equipment surfaces that regularly come in contact with stock production plants 

(e.g., ends of hoses or watering wands) must be surface disinfected before each 

use and may not come in contact with the floor while in use (see Appendix 3).

3.2.3.5 Production stock plants shall be rooted and grown in approved growing media 

(see Table 7-1 in Plants for Planting Manual) on benches raised at least 46 cm 

above the floor to prevent contamination from splashing water.

3.2.3.6 Entry to the greenhouse must be through a vestibule with closing doors to deter

the entry of pests. The vestibule must have two separate doors (screens or solid 

material) that form a distinct enclosed environment separating the outdoors 

from the inside of the greenhouse. One door to the vestibule must be closed 

before the second one is open. The vestibule must be directly next to or provide

direct access to the sanitation station- an area equipped with wash station(s), 

foot bath(s), and protective clothing (e.g., aprons, lab coats, gloves). 

3.2.3.7 At the discretion of APHIS and NPPO representatives, resolutions of pest 

problems may involve actions against only certain greenhouses within a place 

of production, as individual structures may effectively isolate pest problems.

3.2.4 Packinghouse and Cold Room Infrastructure:

3.2.4.1 Packing area must be cleaned and disinfected before use. 
6

3.2.4.2 Packing and loading must take place inside an enclosed structure during the 

day.

3.2.4.3 Physical barriers (such as a double door system, air curtains, screens with a

minimum mesh size of 1.2 mm x 1.2 mm and / or transparent plastic strips that 

hang vertically on the doors) must be installed to prevent possible entry of pests 

or hitchhiker insects into the packing area. There must be no gaps between the 

wall and floor and between the walls and the ceiling.

3.2.4.4 OGCP plant material destined for the United States should be segregated from 

plant material destined for other markets.

3.2.4.5 All packing and shipping containers must be free of soil, weeds, dirt and pests.

3.2.4.6 Packing material must meet import requirements under section 2-21 “Packing 

and Approved Packing Material” in the Plants for Planting Manual.

3.2.4.7 If live plant pests are found during the packing plant operation, the process 

must be suspended until a phytosanitary corrective action (e.g., treatment, reconditioning of plant material) is implemented that guarantees the pest control 

and that action must be properly documented.

3.3 MINIMUM PRODUCTION AND SANITATION STANDARDS

3.3.1 All facility employees must wear protective clothing and follow the sanitation 

practices described below to mitigate the risk of introducing regulated pests into 

production areas. Sanitation practices in greenhouses, cold rooms and grading 

facilities will be strictly enforced. See Appendix 3 for a list of surface, skin and 

clothing APHIS-approved disinfectants.

3.3.2 Wash Stations: 

3.3.2.1 Facilities must have sanitation stations in greenhouses for employees to clean 

all exposed body parts (e.g., hands, arms, legs) that may come in contact with 

plant material. All exposed body parts must be properly washed with soap 

and/or disinfectant prior to entering the production area of the greenhouse. 

3.3.2.2 If latex or vinyl gloves are used, they must be disinfected or changed before 

and after each use.

3.3.3 Footwear:

3.3.3.1 Facilities must provide a sanitation area for employees to ensure their footwear

is clean prior to entering the facility. Facilities must provide foot baths and 

tools to brush or rinse footwear free of soil and debris or provide footwear to be 

worn specifically within production zones.

3.3.3.2 The volume of disinfectant used in footbaths must be adequate to ensure that 

soles and lower portions of footwear are submerged. Disinfectant must be 

changed a minimum of twice daily, with debris in reservoirs being removed 

prior to replacement of the disinfectant. The facility must maintain a log of 

disinfectant type, and the time and personnel responsible for changing the foot 

bath(s).
7

3.3.4 Protective Clothing:

3.3.4.1 All personnel upon entry into plant stock increase or production areas must 

wear protective clothing (e.g., clean lab coats, aprons, or clothing dedicated for 

use within specific plant production zones). Separate sets of protective clothing 

designed to come into contact with the plant material must be dedicated to each 

greenhouse. Personnel will put on protective clothing after leaving the 

sanitation station but prior to entering plant production areas. Personnel must 

remove greenhouse-specific protective clothing prior to entering the sanitation 

station. If lab coats are worn between greenhouses within a production area, 

then they should be covered with or exchanged for a clean apron upon entering 

the production area of each greenhouse.

3.3.4.2 Protective clothing must be stored to avoid contact with the floor. Clothing is to 

be maintained free of debris, potting media, soil, or plant material. Protective 

clothing should be washed in detergent weekly or replaced in the case of 

disposable aprons.

3.3.5 Personal Hygiene:

3.3.5.1 While in the greenhouse facility during production, personnel must regularly 

disinfect their hands and forearms or gloves by dipping or spraying with 

disinfectant after a definable production unit (e.g., every 200 cuttings) and 

between plant varieties and species.

3.3.6 Tools and Equipment:

3.3.6.1 Knives, scalpels, scissors, and other equipment that come into contact with 

plants must be routinely disinfected after a definable production unit (e.g., 

every 200 cuttings) and between plant varieties and species.

3.3.6.2 Carts and collection baskets are to be sprayed with disinfectant on all surfaces 

that are likely to come in contact with the plants or equipment used in 

processing the plant cuttings. The volume of disinfectant used to surface 

disinfect tools should be adequate to submerge entire blade or portions of tools 

that contact the plants. 

3.3.7 Handling of Cuttings and Traceability:

3.3.7.1 The facility must demonstrate trace forward/trace back capability to a specified 

level (i.e., row or bench) at the place of production (e.g., farm, greenhouse, 

growing zone). Upon harvest, cuttings will be placed directly into new plastic 

bags or into plastic containers that can be disinfected between each use.

Waterproof labels must accompany each bag of cuttings; these labels will allow 

cuttings to be traced forward through rooting stations (if the cutting is sold as 

un-rooted or callused) to the first wholesale grower customer. 

3.3.7.2 When transferring cuttings to grading facilities, bags or containers of cuttings 

may not come in contact with any material that could expose them to regulated 

pests.
8

3.3.8 Greenhouse Floors:

3.3.8.1 Greenhouse floors must be free of debris and weeds. Greenhouse personnel who 

are in the process of handling production stock plants should not retrieve plant 

parts (e.g., cuttings, trimmings) that fall to the floor. Other workers (or same 

workers after harvesting of cuttings) should remove and dispose the debris 

daily.

3.3.8.2 Floors must be sanitized routinely, at a minimum before each new production 

cycles begins. Floors must drain properly to prevent long-standing puddles of 

water. Water in contact with flooring must never come in contact with surfaces 

upon which plants are grown (splashing, watering, etc.). Disinfecting hose ends 

that have been in contact with greenhouse floors or other potentially hazardous 

surfaces may be treated with surface disinfectants.

3.3.9 Growing Media and Plant Containers:

3.3.9.1 Plastic bags or pots may be used as stock plant containers. Plastic bags or pots 

may be new, disinfected with an APHIS-approved disinfectant (Appendix 3) or 

treated with an APHIS-approved method (see 3.3.17).

3.3.9.2 Stock plants must be grown in APHIS-approved media (see table 7-1 in Plants 

for Planting Manual) which has been sourced, stored, treated, and/or handled to 

prevent pest contamination. 

3.3.9.3 Growing media intended for use in greenhouses must be stored in a manner that 

prevents contact with the ground, soil or turf surfaces. Growing media must be 

new or reused if treated by any of the following APHIS-approved methods:

1) Steam pasteurization:

• Media must reach and uniformly hold a minimum temperature of 75o Celsius (167o

Fahrenheit) for 30 minutes.

• A minimum of eight sensors must be used. 

• All sensors must reach a minimum of 75oC before the 30-minute treatment begins.

If any sensor drops below the minimum temperature during treatment, repeat the 

entire 30-minute treatment when all sensors are maintaining a minimum of 75oC.

• Sensors must be placed a foot below the surface. At the bottom, sensors must be 

kept in four corners at 3-6 inches above the bottom

• Sensors must be evenly spaced on left, right, and center.

• Sensors must be tested and calibrated before use.

• Records must be kept and available upon request

2) Fumigation:

• If methyl bromide is used, the fumigation rate is 3 grams per liter of media for 72 

hours at 21o Celsius (70o Fahrenheit) or above.

• If Vapam 3% is used, the concentration must be 50 ml per 5-liter pot or bag, keep 

it covered for 72 hours.
9

3.3.10 Irrigation:

3.3.10.1Water treatment may be required depending on the source, storage method, and 

irrigation system. Treatment is not required for potable municipal water or 

water collected from sealed deep wells, provided the water is used immediately 

or stored in tanks that cannot be contaminated by native soil or plant 

material/debris.

3.3.10.2An APHIS-approved treatment is required if water from unsealed wells, 

rainwater collection systems, ponds, lakes, streams, or any other type of open 

body of water and recycled or recirculated water is used for irrigation. The 

irrigation water may be contaminated, thus a minimum of two independent

water purification systems are required: one primary and a second serving as 

back up, to ensure that the crop does not become infected with pathogens due to 

potential failure of one of the water purification systems. 

3.3.10.3Any water purification system must consist of filtration of water through reedbed systems and slow sand filters in combination with one of the following 

purification methods:

• Ozonation (0.4 ppm residual ozone for a minimum of 4 minutes)

• Ultraviolet irradiation: 300J/m2 of UV light at 254 nm with at least 50% light 

transmission.

• Peroxygen products: a minimum residual level of 4 mg per liter of peracetic acid for 2 

minutes. This may be achieved by injection of irrigation water during pumping at 15-

35 m3 per hour) with a commercial formulation of 50-100 ml/m3 of peracetic acid.

• Chlorine dioxide: Dosage of 0.1mg per liter of residual chlorine dioxide sustained for 

a two-minute minimum reaction time. This may be achieved by injecting irrigation 

water with 5 mg per liter using a chlorine dioxide generator.

3.3.10.4Records must be maintained of any breaches that occur in any part of the 

irrigation system, including the date, exact location, and remedial measures 

taken, and tests performed to ensure that the irrigation system remains free of 

pathogens.

3.3.10.5Plants must not be irrigated using ebb, overhead, and flow or flood irrigation 

systems as these methods may contribute to spread of regulated pests. 

Irrigation systems must be constructed so that emitters are not in contact with 

potting media and/or are equipped with backflow devices to prevent 

contamination of the watering system. 

3.4 PEST AND PATHOGEN BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

3.4.1 Each facility must have a pest management plan that covers the aforementioned 

standards as well as the following elements:

3.4.1.1 Identification of a designated facility pest manager.
10

3.4.1.2 Periodic structure inspections to ensure compliance with minimum facility 

standards (e.g., integrity of insect screening).

3.4.1.3 Description of the inspection for incoming plant material before the plant 

material enters the production area. 

3.4.1.4 Pest monitoring and control program appropriate for crops being produced and 

to mitigate against the introduction of pathogen-carrying insects, mollusks, 

pathogens, and any other pest of concern.

3.4.1.5 Crop scouting, removal, and disposal of infested/infected plants. For known 

pests and pathogens, schedule scouting according to predicted emergence dates 

and or key life cycle events. Schedule scouting at intervals that are frequent 

enough to prevent or manage outbreaks. Indicate percentage of plants inspected

per greenhouse. 

3.4.1.6 Traceability mechanisms to facilitate targeting, port of entry clearance, and 

trace back/trace forward in the event of noncompliance.

3.4.1.7 Description of the shipping inspection for outgoing plant material. 

3.4.1.8 Description of the procedures, documentation, and corrective actions if a nonregulated pest or a regulated pest is detected during the inspection of incoming 

plant material, during plant production, or in the shipping inspection, 

grading/packaging of cuttings. Include the procedure to identify and report 

pests.

3.4.1.9 Access to production facilities is limited to individuals certified to work in 

facilities and authorized visitors. Facilities must maintain lists of approved 

personnel.

3.4.1.10Records of pest monitoring and management activities must be maintained and 

made available to APHIS upon request.

3.5 TRAINING PROGRAM FOR ALL PERSONNEL

3.5.1 The designated pest manager is responsible for managing and training all personnel 

in proper practices required to prevent regulated pests from entering the facility and 

from becoming established. 

3.5.2 The training will include greenhouse and packinghouse practices and the 

fundamentals for preventing plant pest spread from plants outside the facility, as well 

as the required sanitary practices to prevent pest and disease transmission. This 

training should include information on spreading pests from plants commonly found 

in workers’ yards or environs.

3.5.3 Personnel will be trained at least annually, more often if required. 

3.5.4 Facilities must maintain records of training and personnel certifications for at least 3 

years and provide to APHIS upon request.
11

4 GREENHOUSE CERTIFICATION PROCESS

4.1 COOPERATIVE SERVICE AGREEMENT AND TRUST FUND

4.1.1 Facilities interested in participating in the OGCP must contact their NPPO, to 

establish a cooperative service agreement with APHIS and coordinate the required 

facility audit and certification. APHIS will provide industry with a budget estimate

for full reimbursement of costs associated with certification activities (e.g. auditor’s 

salary, benefits, travel, etc.). Facilities will deposit funds for the visits into a trust 

fund established with APHIS prior to facility audit and certification activities.

4.2 ANNUAL CERTIFICATION 

4.2.1 Certified APHIS auditors will perform a full system certification audit during the 

facility’s peak plant production and harvesting season. The APHIS auditor will 

observe the harvesting process and evaluate the candidate facilities using the 

Certification Site Visit Checklist (Appendix 5). Only facilities that meet the 

minimum sanitation standards described in this framework will be certified as part of 

the program. The facility certification is valid for one year and the list of certified 

participating facilities will be published in the Plants for Planting Manual.

5 PORT OF ENTRY CLEARANCE PROCESS

5.1 PHYTOSANITARY CERTIFICATE

5.1.1 The phytosanitary certificate must follow the requirements stated in Chapter 2 of the 

Plants for Planting Manual and must include the certified facility number in the 

following additional declaration for all OGCP-eligible consignments: 

All plant taxa in this consignment were produced and prepared for export from 

[approved facility number] in accordance with the Offshore Greenhouse Certification 

Program.

5.1.2 Please note that this additional declaration is not required for consignments that are 

not eligible for the OGCP (e.g., OCGP plants commingled with non-OGCP plant 

taxa).

6 PROGRAM OVERSIGHT AND SUSPENSION

APHIS reserves the right to suspend the facility from the program (i.e., revert to 100% 

frequency of inspection) based on non-compliance or non-conformance failures.

6.1 NON-COMPLIANCE

6.1.1 Any quarantine2 pest interception at a U.S. port of entry from any consignment 

originating from an OGCP-facility will result in the following immediate actions:

• APHIS will issue an Emergency Action Notification (EAN)

• Shipment will be destroyed, reexported or treated

2 For a list of U.S. regulated plant pests please visit: 

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/planthealth/import-information/rppl/rppl-table
12

• Facility will be automatically suspended from the program and the facility’s

consignments will undergo 100% frequency of inspection for next 5 shipments. 

o If no other quarantine pests are found in those 5 shipments, the facility may be 

reinstated, and the suspension removed by APHIS.

o If another quarantine pest is found in those 5 shipments, the facility will 

continue to be suspended until issue is resolved. 

• Before reinstatement, APHIS will communicate with NPPO and offshore facility to 

discuss and agree on mitigation actions to reduce the risk of future pest interceptions.

6.2 NON-CONFORMANCE

6.2.1 Offshore facilities that do not conform with the program’s framework may not be 

certified/re-certified to participate in the program. Examples of non-conformance 

include, but are not limited to, not using the APHIS CORE message set, not 

including the certified facility number and/or producer name in all unrooted cuttings 

consignments and presence of non-quarantine pests. 

6.2.2 In the event of two or more non-conformances in one calendar year, APHIS will 

communicate with the NPPO and the offshore facility to discuss corrective actions. 
13

7 APPENDIX 1: GLOSSARY

Definitions for phytosanitary terms used may be found in ISPM 5, Glossary of Phytosanitary 

Terms (IPPC, 2015), in RSPM 5, NAPPO Glossary of Phytosanitary Terms (Revised) (NAPPO, 

2012), RSPM 24, Integrated Pest Risk Management Measures for the Importation of Plants for 

Planting into NAPPO Member Countries (NAPPO, 2005) and ISO 9000:2015 Quality 

management systems-Fundamentals and vocabulary. 

Additional Declaration: A statement that is required by an importing country to be entered on a 

phytosanitary certificate and which provides specific additional information on a consignment in 

relation to regulated pests or regulated articles.

APHIS: United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

Audit: A systematic examination of the organizational structure, infrastructure, procedures, 

processes, records management, and resources used by the place of production in implementing 

the program.

Broker: An entity that purchases or takes possession of plants for planting from an approved place 

of production for the purpose of exporting those plants without further growing beyond 

maintaining the plants until export.

Certificate: A document (e.g., official correspondence) by which an APHIS’s auditor affirms that 

a production site meets the OGCP requirements.

Commercial shipment: Goods that are imported for resale purposes or for profit (example 

cuttings to be grown in a nursery for resale as a whole plant); not for personal use.

Commingled: Consignments in which different commodities (or commodity types) have been 

mixed together within individual sampling units (e.g., boxes)

Commodity: A type of plant, plant product, or other article being moved for trade or other purpose. 

Consignment (or Shipment): A quantity of plants, plant products or other articles being moved 

from one country to another and covered by a single phytosanitary certificate, when required (a 

consignment may be composed of one or more lots or taxa). 

Country of origin: The country where the plants, or plants from the plant products were derived 

or grown, or where the non-plant articles were produced.

Eligible plant: A plant that meets the prerequisite phytosanitary and programmatic conditions to 

be entered into the OGCP.

Full Systems Audit: A systematic examination of the organizational structure, procedures, 

processes and resources used by the facility in implementing the OGCP.

Generally admissible: Plant taxa imported for planting that meet general restrictions and do not 

have any specific restrictions as listed in the USDA Plants for Planting Manual.

Greenhouse: The physical location where plants are grown within, under, or sheltered by 

structures to provide a modified growing condition and/or protection from pests and the outdoor 
14

environment. These structures may include greenhouses, hoop houses, screen houses, shade 

houses, or other structures that are determined by the NPPO of the exporting country to meet the 

minimum operating requirements of OGCP.

Hybrid: When applied to kinds or varieties of seed, means the first-generation seed of a cross 

produced by controlling the pollination and by combining two or more inbred lines; one inbred or 

single cross with an open pollinated variety; or two selected clones, seed lines, varieties, or species. 

Controlling the pollination means to use a method of hybridization that will produce pure seed that 

is at least 75% hybrid seed. Hybrid designations shall be treated as variety names. As defined by 

CITES, a plant that is produced as a result of crossbreeding between two species.

NAPPRA: Not authorized pending pest risk analysis. A category of regulations governing the 

importation of plants for planting, commonly known as the Q37 regulations.

National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO): The official service established by a 

government to discharge the functions specified by the International Plant Protection Convention.

Non-compliance: Activities or products found to be contrary to, or in violation of, APHIS’ import 

regulatory requirements.

Non-conformance: Activities or products found to be contrary to, or in violation of, the program

requirements as described in this document. 

Phytosanitary Certificate: A document including electronic versions, that is related to a restricted 

article not more than 15 days prior to shipment of the restricted article from the country in which 

it was grown and that: (1) Is patterned after the model certificate of the International Plant 

Protection Convention, a multilateral convention on plant protection under the authority of the 

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO); (2) Is issued by an official of a 

foreign national plant protection organization in one of the five official languages of the FAO; (3) 

Is addressed to the national plant protection organization of the United States (Animal and Plant 

Health Inspection Service); (4) Describes the shipment; (5) Certifies the place of origin for all 

contents of the shipment; (6) Certifies that the shipment has been inspected and/or tested according 

to appropriate official procedures and is considered free from quarantine pests of the United States; 

(7) Contains any additional declarations required in the Plants for Planting Manual; and (8) 

Certifies that the shipment conforms with the phytosanitary requirements of the United States and 

is considered eligible for importation pursuant to the laws and regulations of the United States.

Place of Production (or Facility): Any premises or collection of fields operated as a single 

production or farming unit. Specific to this program, a place of production or facility is “a 

contiguous property that is used to produce vegetative cuttings of plants for planting.”

Plant pest: Any living stage of any of the following that can directly or indirectly injure, cause 

damage to, or cause disease in any plant or plant product: A protozoan, a nonhuman animal, a 

parasitic plant, a bacterium, a fungus, a virus or viroid, an infectious agent or other pathogen, or 

any article similar to or allied with any of these articles.

Plant unit: The smallest unit in the inspection unit (e.g., cutting, plant, stem).
15

Plants for Planting: Plants intended to remain planted, to be planted or replanted.

Production site: A defined portion of a place of production utilized for the production of a 

commodity that is managed separately for phytosanitary purposes. This may include the entire 

place of production or portions of it. Examples of portions of places of production are a defined 

orchard, grove, field, greenhouse, screenhouse, or premises.

Quarantine pest: A plant pest or noxious weed that is of potential economic importance to the 

United States and not yet present in the United States, or present but not widely distributed and 

being officially controlled.

Suspension: A facility not allowed to ship material under the OGCP. An OGCP participating

facility can be suspended if found in violation of any condition of the program, unable to 

implement corrective actions in a timely manner and maintain the required phytosanitary 

conditions of entry. The facility will be removed from the list of OGCP approved facilities.

Unrooted cuttings: a section of a plant that is removed and used for propagation. While roots are 

not present, callus tissue (a mass of large, thin-walled, undifferentiated cells that typically form as 

a precursor to rooting) may be present.

8 APPENDIX 2: APHIS-APPROVED PLANT TAXA LIST FOR THE OGCP

The list of APHIS-approved, generally admissible plant taxa that can be imported into the United 

States as part of the OGCP can be found on the program’s website. Only vegetative, unrooted 

cuttings are eligible for the program. An unrooted cutting is defined as an excised section of a 

plant, without roots, that is used for propagation. Callus tissue (a mass of large, thin-walled, 

undifferentiated cells that typically form as a precursor to rooting) may be present. For stem 

cuttings, the stage of the cutting shall be herbaceous or softwood only.

The following are not eligible under the OGCP: 1) Tissue culture/in vitro plantlets; 2) Genetically 

engineered varieties; 3) Plants and country combination as indicated in Chapter 3 and 6 of the 

USDA Plants for Planting Manual, for planting with specific requirements in addition to 

requirements listed in the USDA Plants for Planting Manual, Chapter 2: General Restrictions; and 

4) Hybrids and varieties without known parental information.

To request the addition of new plant taxa to the APHIS-approved list, you may contact APHIS at 

OGCP@usda.gov. Please note that the review process can take three to six months. It is 

recommended that new plant taxa be submitted for approval well in advance of the shipping 

season.
Page 16 of 35

9 APPENDIX 3: LIST OF APPROVED DISINFECTANTS

Table 1: The following table provides an example list of APHIS-approved surface disinfectants3. Any product used for disinfection 

should be approved for use by the NPPO, labeled for use by the appropriate authority in the country where the facility is located, and 

must be efficacious against regulated pests.

Trade Name EPA Reg. No. Active Ingredients Use Sites

ANTHIUM DIOXCIDE 5% 

AQUEOUS STABILIZED 

CHLORINE DIOXIDE

9150-2 Chlorine dioxide Boot wash/shoe wash

BIO-FRESH CD 9804-3-65516 Chlorine

Greenhouses, hard nonporous surfaces (flower 

buckets, floors, walls, coolers, benches and counter 

tops)

COIL & DUCT SPRAY 9804-3-46463 Chlorine

Greenhouses, hard nonporous surfaces (flower 

buckets, floors, walls, coolers, benches and counter 

tops)

ECOTREAT 9804-3-7909 Chlorine

Greenhouses, hard nonporous surfaces (flower 

buckets, floors, walls, coolers, benches and counter 

tops)

ENVIROCON 9804-3 Chlorine dioxide 

Greenhouses, hard nonporous surfaces (flower 

buckets, floors, walls, coolers, benches and counter 

tops)

3 Disclaimer: Mention of companies or commercial products does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture over others 

not mentioned. USDA neither guarantees nor warrants the standard of any product mentioned. Product names are mentioned solely to report factually on available 

data and to provide specific information.
Page 17 of 35

Trade Name EPA Reg. No. Active Ingredients Use Sites

TOTALINE COIL & DUCT 

SPRAY 9804-3-40536 Chlorine

Greenhouses, hard nonporous surfaces (flower 

buckets, floors, walls, coolers, benches and counter 

tops)

ProKure V 87508-3-89334 Sodium chlorite 

Greenhouses, hard nonporous surfaces (flower 

buckets, floors, walls, coolers, benches and counter 

tops)

Virkon 39967-137

Potassium peroxymonosulfate and 

sodium chloride

Greenhouse equipment, hard nonporous surfaces 

(flower buckets, floors, walls, coolers, benches and 

counter tops), vehicles

Zero Tol 70299-1 Hydrogen dioxide

Greenhouse structures, benches, pots, watering 

systems, evaporative coolers, storage rooms, 

ventilation equipment, floors and other equipment

AFCO 4330 4959-16-833 Iodine

Greenhouses, hard nonporous surfaces (flower 

buckets, floors, walls, coolers, benches and counter 

tops)

BIOSENTRY IODINE 

DISINFECTANT 65020-4 Nonylphenoxypolyethoxyethanol 

Greenhouses, hard nonporous surfaces (flower 

buckets, floors, walls, coolers, benches and counter 

tops)

CSAN 2339 IDOPHOR 

SANITIZER 4959-16-67829 Iodine

Greenhouses, hard nonporous surfaces (flower 

buckets, floors, walls, coolers, benches and counter 

tops)

OAKITE TRISANITE 4959-16-1020 Iodine

Greenhouses, hard nonporous surfaces (flower 

buckets, floors, walls, coolers, benches and counter 

tops)
Page 18 of 35

Trade Name EPA Reg. No. Active Ingredients Use Sites

SANI DINE 4959-15-64328 Iodine

Greenhouses, hard nonporous surfaces (flower 

buckets, floors, walls, coolers, benches and counter 

tops) shoe/boot wash

WESCODYNE 4959-16-1043 Iodine

Greenhouses, hard nonporous surfaces (flower 

buckets, floors, walls, coolers, benches and counter 

tops)

WEST AGRO ZZZ 

DISINFECTANT 4959-16 Iodine

Greenhouses, hard nonporous surfaces (flower 

buckets, floors, walls, coolers, benches and counter 

tops)

ZEP-I-DINE 4959-16-1270 Iodine

Greenhouses, hard nonporous surfaces (flower 

buckets, floors, walls, coolers, benches and counter 

tops)

Lonza Formulation S-18 6836-77 Quat. Ammonium

Farm, Poultry, Swine, and Mushroom Premise 

Sanitation Veterinary Practice/Animal Care/Animal 

Laboratory Disinfection

MAQUAT 128-MT 10324-112 Quat. Ammonium

Outer clothing, field harvesting equipment, 

walls/floors of coolers, flower buckets, and 

greenhouse packing areas

MAQUAT 615-HD 10324-72 Quat. Ammonium

Greenhouses, hard non porous surfaces (flower 

buckets, floors, walls, coolers, benches and counter 

tops)

MAQUAT 64 MN 10324-113 Quat. ammonium

Florist shops, wholesale florist, shippers, greenhouse 

packing areas, flower buckets, floors/walls of coolers, 

benches, and counter tops)
Page 19 of 35

Trade Name EPA Reg. No. Active Ingredients Use Sites

Physan 20 55364-5 Quat. Ammonium

Greenhouses, hard surfaces, lawn and turf grass, 

seedlings, cut flowers, decorative fountains, pools, 

birdbaths, and plants

Menno-Florades

Not EPAapproved. Must 

be approved by 

the NPPO.

Benzoic Acid Greenhouses, harvesting equipment

Trade Name EPA Reg. No. Active Ingredients Use Sites

ProKure G 87508-2-89334 Sodium chlorite Mold and mildew odor remover

Table 2. List of (a) active ingredients for skin disinfectants (CDC recommendations) and (b) examples of specific products labeled for 

use on skin or clothing in the United States. Any product used for disinfection should be approved for use by the NPPO, labeled for use 

by the appropriate authority in the country where the facility is located, and must be efficacious against plant pathogens.

a) Skin disinfectant

Active Ingredient(s)

Alcohols (>60% ethanol)

Chlorhexidine (0.5%-4% depending on preparation)

Chloroxylenol (0.3%-3.75%)

Iodine and Iodophors (7.5%-10% povidone-iodine)

Quaternary Ammonium Compounds 
Page 20 of 35

b) Examples of specific products useful for disinfection of skin and clothing* used 

Product Company

*GX-1027 Antimicrobial Soap Galloway Chemical

Hibiclens; Hibistat AstraZeneca

*Canker Guard Flo Tech. Inc.

*Csan 154 QT Soap Bell Chem Corporation

EcoCare 250, EcoCare 260, EcoCare 350, *EcoCare 360 Ecolab

AgriCure; Pure & Clean Antibacterial Handwash with Germsafe International Laboratory Technology Corp.

FS Antimicrobial Hand Cleaner; FS E-2 Sanitizing Hand Soap; 

Acclaim Antibacterial Liquid Hand Soap

ZEP Manufacturing Co.

*C-Soap Genesis Technologies
Page 21 of 35

10 APPENDIX 4: EXAMPLE OF CHECKLIST FOR CERTIFICATION AUDIT- OFFSHORE GREENHOUSE 

CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

1. FACILITY INFORMATION

Facility Name Date of 

Inspection 

Country

Name & Address of Company (as shown on Phytosanitary Certificate used for CBP Consignment Clearance)

New or renewing certification? 

Finance Officer Email (at parent company headquarters)

Physical Address of Inspected Site

GPS Coordinates of Inspected Site 

Certified Facility Number

Facility Manager Name: 

Email: Phone: 

Trust Fund Manager Name:

Email: Phone:

Total Facility Area (1) OGCP-Eligible Area

Total No. of Greenhouses OGCP-Eligible No. of Greenhouses

Total No. of Plants at Facility OGCP-Eligible No. Plants at Facility (2)
Page 22 of 35

Total No. of employees (peak 

season) Greenhouses audited today

Greenhouses audited during last 

inspection 

(1) Attach map with total number of employees and layout of facility/greenhouses, (2)

Attach list of OGCP-approved 

plant taxa at the facility

U.S. 

Importer(s)

U.S. Broker(s)

Exporting cuttings to the following countries:

Dates of shipping season 

Dates of Peak season

What day(s) does the facility harvest cuttings for shipment? 

 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

What day(s) of operation does the facility ship material?

 SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

Where does the facility source their nuclear stock? (Provide facility name and physical address)

Primary means of shipment Land Air Sea 

2. PLACE OF PRODUCTION INFRASTRUCTURE

Entry to the main facility is secure and excludes any external source of plant pathogen or 

contaminant from entering the facility.
Page 23 of 35

Trucks entering the facility have tires cleaned and disinfected before entry into the production 

area or are excluded from the production area.

All plants are located within an enclosed greenhouse during all stages of growth.

There is complete separation between increase (G2 or G3) and production (G4) blocks 

Employees work exclusively in production block greenhouses or increase block greenhouses 

during a single workday. 

3. GREENHOUSE BUFFER ZONE

Sanitation Buffer zone free of weeds, grass, and dicotyledonous plants.

Size There is at least a one-meter buffer zone around the entire greenhouse.

Slope Buffer has slopes or canals that prevents waters from entering the 

greenhouse.

Composition Gravel Crushed Rock Concrete Weed Cloth 

Other:

4. GREENHOUSE AND GRADING AREA INFRASTRUCTURE 

Material

Top Glass Polycarbonate Polyethylene 

Other:

Sides Glass Polycarbonate Polyethylene Screen (1.2 mm X 1.2 mm or less)

Other:

Describe condition (optional)
Page 24 of 35

All vents and openings in greenhouse are covered with screening to prevent 

the entry of quarantine pests.

5. ENTRY AND SANITATION STATION

Entry

Single entrance into the greenhouse. 

Direct access to vestibule prior to entering plant production area.

Vestibule area with closing double-doors.

Entry to production area restricted to authorized personnel.

Personal items stored before entry to greenhouse.

Footbath

There is a footbath with rough bottom surface prior to entering the 

greenhouse.

 

Disinfectant: 

Volume covers soles and lower portions of footwear.

Disinfectant is changed at least twice daily.

If no, 

explain:

Time and date of disinfectant change is recorded/logged 

Wash/

Disinfection 

Stations

There is a sink or disinfection station for handwashing prior to entering the 

production area.

 

Disinfectant:

Sink drains immediately to outside of production area. 

Water source for sink: Sealed Well Municipal Other: 

Treatment:

Workers wear latex or vinyl gloves.
Page 25 of 35

Dressing Area There is a protective clothing dressing area outside the production area.

Protective clothing stored to prevent contact with the floor. 

Protective 

Clothing

Protective clothing worn by all personnel on entry to production area.

Types Washable lab coats Washable or disposable aprons 

Washable or disposable aprons over lab coats 

Other: 

Protective clothing dedicated to each greenhouse and removed before 

exiting.

If lab coats are worn between greenhouses, are they covered with or 

exchanged for an apron at each greenhouse?

If no, 

explain:

Clothing is maintained free of debris, potting media, soil, or plant material.

Protective clothing washed in detergent weekly or replaced in the case of 

disposable aprons.

Other:

6. GREENHOUSE PRODUCTION AREA

Floors and 

Walkways

Floors Gravel Crushed stone Concrete 

Other:

Walkways Gravel Crushed stone Concrete 

Other:

Is native soil present on floors or walkways?

If yes, describe:
Page 26 of 35

Debris-free Weed-free Free of standing water (puddles) 

If no, 

describe:

Floors and walkways are swept daily.

Describe: 

If floors and walkways are swept daily, is debris removed after or during 

harvesting or pruning?

Floors and walkways sanitized at least annually. How Often?

Disinfectant: 

Production 

Surfaces

Plants elevated at least 46cm above greenhouse floor. How high?

Water from the floor come in contact (e.g. splashing, watering) with plants 

or benches.

All hard surfaces (e.g. floors and benches) were sanitized prior to use.

Disinfectant:

Production surface design and composition ensures drainage.

Irrigation water does not make pot to pot contact. 

Irrigation 

System

Ebb and flow irrigation system present.

Evidence of flood or sub-irrigation system.

Emitters are separate from media in pots.

Emitters equipped with backflow devices or raised above media.

Hose ends (last 1.2 meters) and irrigation nozzles are off greenhouse floor 

or production surface. 
Page 27 of 35

If contact is made, hose and watering equipment treated with surface 

disinfectant.

Disinfectant:

Personal 

Hygiene

Are hands or gloves and forearms disinfected by dipping or spraying with 

approved disinfectant?

Disinfectant: 

Hands or gloves are disinfected after a definable production unit? 

Production 

Unit:

Food excluded from greenhouse.

Tools and 

Equipment

Carts and collection baskets sprayed with disinfectant.

Disinfectant: 

Tools for harvesting (e.g. knives) soaked in disinfectant prior to use 

Tools for harvesting (e.g. knives) soaked in disinfectant after a definable 

production unit:

Production 

Unit:

Tools for harvesting (e.g. knives) rotated between each stock plant or stock 

plant container. 

If No, answer questions below:

Are tools permanently assigned to a specific bench and appropriately rotated 

and disinfected between plants on that bench?

Are tools appropriately rotated and disinfected between plants in a definable 

production unit?
Page 28 of 35

Production 

Unit:

What is the total number of knives in a bucket used for harvesting? 

Disinfectant volume adequate to submerge entire blade and portions of tools 

that contact plants. 

Bags/

Containers

Only new or disinfected plastic bags or containers are used for collection of 

harvested cuttings.

Disinfectant: 

Cuttings

Cuttings placed in plastic bags labeled with non-water-soluble ink. 

Labels accompany each bag of cuttings.

Label system allows trace forward through rooting stations or directly from 

farm to first wholesale customer.

Transfer to grading facilities or cold room are such that cuttings or containers 

do not contact soil or other material harboring pathogens.

Grading

Grading is done during harvest.

If No, is Grading done in a separate room?

If YES, grading facilities satisfy same conditions as greenhouses with respect to:

Wash Stations Hand Washing Footbath

Protective Clothing Personal Hygiene Tools

Handling of Cuttings Floors Productions 

Surfaces

Water Treatment Training 

Personnel

Table/counter surfaces surface disinfested between bags or baskets of 

cuttings processed.

7. GROWING MEDIA
Page 29 of 35

Type

APHIS-approved growing medium (e.g. Scoria, Volcanic rock, potting mix): 

Describe:

If no, describe:

Safeguarding Media and pots are stored on soil/dirt or turf surfaces.

Treatment

Media is sterilized or pasteurized.

Method (Check one)

Steam pasteurization (30 min after all sensors reach at least 75 ̊C)

Fumigation: Methyl Bromide (3g/liter for 72h @ ≥70 ̊F)

Fumigation: Vapam 3% (equivalent to 50 ml per bag covered for 72 hours)

Media is fumigated on a non-porous surface.

Containers

Select One: Plastic pots Plastic bags 

Are pots/bags new each year?

FOR POTS ONLY- If no, describe below:

8. WATER TREATMENT

Source

Municipal Deep, Sealed Well

*Other:

*If “other”, describe and indicate treatment:
Page 30 of 35

Stored water is safeguarded for contaminates such as native soil and plant 

material/debris.

Reed-bed filtration systems and slow sand filters in combination with one of the following:

Ozonation (0.4 ppm residual ozone for ≥4 minutes)

Ultraviolet irradiation (300J/m2 UV @ 254 nm, ≥ 50% transmission)

Peroxygen products (residual level ≥ 4mg / liter per acetic acid for 2 min) 

Chlorine dioxide (residual level ≥ 0.1 mg / liter chlorine dioxide for ≥ 2 min)

Independent backup water treatment system in place in case primary system 

fails.

Is there a log of any breaches in irrigation system kept on site?

Detailed description of water treatment (use additional pages if necessary):

9. PEST SURVEY AND DETECTION

Pest/ List of pests/pathogens of concern specifically targeted for monitoring by testing and/or visual 

inspection in the facility pest management plan:
Page 31 of 35

Pathogen of 

concern 

(if applicable)

Pest Management Plan available and with the required information as 

described in 3.4. (Attach copy of pest management plant)

Water testing for pathogens of concern

Diagnostics 

(if applicable)

What testing methods, if any, are used (e.g. ELISA, PCR, microscopy): 

Describe: 

Tests conducted at approved/certified: 

In-house laboratory NPPO laboratory

Third party laboratory Other: 

Tests conducted by, or under the supervision of, the plant protection 

organization of the country of origin or their designee.

Records available for inspection.

If propagating from Production block:

Plants subjected to same clean-up process as nuclear stock?

Describe:

Plants subjected to same testing process as nuclear stock?

Describe:
Page 32 of 35

Sampling

What is the sampling rate of Production block (G4)?

Describe:

Sampling done prior to first shipment and throughout shipping season.

Plants scouted regularly for signs of pests and tested as necessary.

Test performed prior to destruction of discarded plants (except when all plants 

destroyed at end of season).

10. Packinghouse and Cold Room Infrastructure

Packing area is cleaned and disinfected before use.

Packing and loading takes place inside an enclosed structure during the day.

Physical barriers (e.g., double door system, air curtains etc.) are installed to prevent entry of 

insects to packing area.

OGCP plant material destined for the United States is segregated from plant material destined 

for other markets

All packing and shipping containers are free of soil, dirt, weeds, and pest

Packing material meet the “Packing and Approved Packing Material” import requirements in 

the Plants for Planting Manual.

11. TRAINING

Employee 

Training

Number of Employees during peak season.

There is a training program covering proper greenhouse procedures.

Description of training:
Page 33 of 35

How often is training provided? (select all that apply)

 Annual Monthly Quarterly Weekly Bi-weekly

Describe:

A list of trained personnel is maintained. 

List the last date of training conducted.

Access to greenhouses is limited to trained and certified individuals.

Facility maintains record of training of personnel and certifications.

I have reviewed and agreed with the above and will immediately resolve outstanding issues detected:

APHIS Inspector: Signature: Email: Date:

NPPO Inspector: Signature: Email: Date:

Production Manager: Signature: Email: Date:
Page 34 of 35

11 APPENDIX 5: EXAMPLE OF CORRECTIVE ACTION REQUEST (CAR)

FORM 

CAR Number: _______________________

Program Facility Name

Audit Type Facility Code/Number

Audit Date Address

Country

Auditor Facility Representative

Name Name

Phone Phone

Email Email

Step 1: DESCRIPTION of NON-CONFORMANCE AND OBSERVATIONS

Non-Conformance Type: □ critical □ major □ minor

Description:

Reference to Operational Work Plan/Framework:

Date of CAR:

APHIS Signature: Date

Facility Representative Signature: Date

STEP 2: DESCRIPTION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION

Please submit proposal for corrective action within 7 days of this form. 

Immediate Corrective Action Description

Proposed Completion Date

Long-Term Corrective Action Description
Page 35 of 35

Proposed Completion Date:

Facility Representative Signature:

Date Submitted:

APHIS Signature:

Date Received:

STEP 3: VERIFICATION OF CORRECTIVE ACTION

Note: The facility will not be certified/approved until all corrective actions are closed.

Immediate Corrective Action

Corrective Action Documentation □ Acceptable □ Not Acceptable □ N/A

Corrective Action is Acceptable □ Yes □ No

Follow-up Visit Required □ Yes □ No

Comments

Long-Term Corrective Action

Corrective Action Documentation □ Acceptable □ Not Acceptable □ N/A

Corrective Action is Acceptable □ Yes □ No

Follow-up Visit Required □ Yes □ No

Comments

CAR Closed □ Yes □ No

APHIS Signature:

Date Closed: