Further to the email we sent in June regarding the “Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE)” final rule which will be implemented March 19, 2024, this new USDA rule requires that ALL certified organic products imported into the US shall be accompanied by a NOP Import Certificate issued by an accredited Certifying Body (CB) through the USDA Organic Integrity Database. Under the current US/Canada Organic Equivalency Arrangement we expect the CFIA will adopt policies to be in compliance with these new requirements.
We are working with a group that includes most other Canadian CB’s and have forwarded a substantial list of questions to the CFIA for guidance on this coming requirement but haven’t received suitable guidance from the CFIA yet.
We are working on it and will be able to issue this new certificate and any other documents required by our certified operators that export to the US.
We don’t have all the answers at this point, but as we get further guidelines regarding the new requirements and develop the systems to accommodate them we’ll keep you informed.
Thank you!