402.477.2323 info@ocia.org

OCIA International

Organic Certification since 1985
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OCIA International: a leader in organic certification

OCIA International is one of the world’s oldest, largest, and most trusted organic certification agencies. OCIA International is a member owned non-profit committed to environmentally sound stewardship. Whether your operation specializes in production, processing, or handling, we provide the highest quality organic certification services. And others agree. The Cornucopia Institute has consistently rated OCIA International as an exemplary certifier—the highest qualification possible.

Got questions? We've got answers.

About OCIA

We’re one of the oldest and most trusted organic certification agencies in the business. But there is so much more to our story than our age.

Why should you certify with OCIA International?

We know that choosing an organic certification agency is one of the most important decisions you will make for your business. OCIA is one of the oldest and most trusted certifiers in the organic industry, and we are here to support you and your operation.

Certification Process

We know that the certification process can be stressful and intimidating. But we believe knowledge is power. Learn what to expect throughout your certification journey.

Meet the Team

We’re not going to sugarcoat it. We have the hardest working coordinators and certifying agents in the business on our team.

Upcoming Travel

We can’t wait to see you at an Organic Tradeshow, Farmer’s Market, Conference, or Farm Start.

What’s new at OCIA?

OPERATOR SPOTLIGHT

Every operator’s path to organic certification is different. Learn more about the different paths to organic certification in our “Operator Spotlight” series.

Putting Health First: Askegaard Organic Farm

Putting Health First: Askegaard Organic Farm

For couple Mike and Barb Askegaard of Askegaard Organic Farm, organic farming provided a way to balance health in all aspects of their lives- their family, their customers, and the environment.   “We decided to certify as organic because we saw the negative effects...

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Mother Parkers: Organic Production Aligns with Values

Mother Parkers: Organic Production Aligns with Values

Mother Parkers’ values paired with their customers’ interest in organic products made obtaining organic certification a logical step. The process did come with challenges, however. For Mother Parkers, which markets their products in Canada and the US, understanding equivalency agreements between the countries presented challenges.

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LEARN MORE

Learn more about organic agriculture, certification, and OCIA International.

Challenges in the Organic Certification Process

Challenges in the Organic Certification Process

Transitioning a conventional operation to organic can at times feel like a daunting task filled with insurmountable obstacles. While it’s easy to become discouraged, many of the challenges associated with organic certification can be overcome with planning, ingenuity, and perseverance.

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The Organic Certification Process

The Organic Certification Process

All operators seeking initial organic certification must complete a similar six step process regardless of which certification agency they partner with. This process ensures that organic operators remain in compliance with organic regulations and helps maintain the integrity of the organic supply chain.

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Let's Connect!

We want to hear from you, regardless of where you are in your organic certification journey.

Complete the contact form below, and an OCIA International representative will contact you within two business days.

Ready to begin your transition to organic?

We’re excited that you are considering OCIA International for your organic certification needs! We know that the organic certification process can be stressful. There is so much information to learn and absorb! But you don’t have to go through the certification process alone. Complete the contact form below, and an OCIA International representative will be in touch within two business days.

If you’ve already begun the certification process and have a specific question, feel free to reach out to your certification coordinator directly, or call us at +1 (402) 477-2323.

Contact us today! -- OCIA Contact Form

OCIA International main contact form.

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Please select the scope of the operation you would like certified. If you would like to certify under multiple scopes (ex: crops and livestock) please select "Other" and explain in your message.
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Please let us know what's on your mind. Have a question for us? Ask away.
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CONFIRM SUBMISSION

Thank you for submitting your organic certification application! OCIA looks forward to working with you.

For applicants who are new or currently under suspension, please see the end of the page for some important notes.

An estimate for your 2023 certification and inspection fees was sent with the login information. Please promptly send payment to the address on the invoice. If you are a new applicant, OCIA will not review your file until payment is received.

If you are submitting hardcopies of any supporting documents, please mail them to the address on the invoice. Failure to submit required supporting documents may lead to delays in the review.

Once a complete file is received, OCIA will complete a pre-inspection review. During this process, OCIA will contact you if additional information is needed. Please respond to any communication from OCIA in a timely manner.

Please contact OCIA International if you have any questions.

New applicants: Please be reminded that as a new applicant, your operation currently cannot label or sell product as organic. If organic certification is granted, an organic certificate will be issued and product can then be sold as organic.

For farm operations, the inspector must see your crop in the field, so check-strips must be left in all fields requested for certification if any harvest occurs prior to inspection. For hay fields, any hay harvested prior to inspection cannot be certified as organic.

For suspended operations: Please be aware that no product can be sold as “organic” while suspended and previous product is no longer “organic.” For farm operations, any crops currently in storage are no longer organic and must be sold conventionally. Only crops harvested after reinstatement, if it is granted, may be sold as “organic.” Any crops harvested from fields prior to reinstatement must be sold conventionally.

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CONFIRMAR LA SOLICITUD

¡Gracias por enviar su solicitud de certificación orgánica! OCIA espera trabajar con usted. Para los solicitantes que son nuevos o están actualmente suspendidos, consulte el final de la página para conocer información importante.

Se le envió un estimado de los honorarios de certificación e inspección 2023 con la información de inicio de sesión. Envíe puntualmente el pago a la dirección que figura en la factura. Si usted es un nuevo solicitante, OCIA no revisará su expediente hasta que se reciba el pago.

Si envía copias impresas de cualquier documento de respaldo, envíelas por correo a la dirección que figura en la factura. Se podrá producir demoras en la revisión si no se envían los documentos de respaldo necesarios,.

Una vez que se recibe un expediente completo, OCIA llevará a cabo una revisión de preinspección. Durante este proceso, OCIA se comunicará con usted si necesita información adicional. Responda a cualquier comunicación de OCIA de manera oportuna.

Póngase en contacto con OCIA International si tiene alguna pregunta.

Para los solicitantes nuevos: recuerde que, como solicitante nuevo, su operación actualmente no puede etiquetar o vender productos como orgánicos. Si se otorga la certificación orgánica, se emitirá un certificado orgánico y el producto se podrá vender como orgánico.

Para las operaciones agrícolas, el inspector debe ver su cultivo en el campo, por lo que si se produce alguna cosecha antes de la inspección, se deben dejar franjas o surcos de verificación en todos los campos solicitados para la certificación. Para los campos de heno, cualquier heno cosechado antes de la inspección no puede certificarse como orgánico.

Para operaciones suspendidas: tenga en cuenta que ningún producto puede venderse como "orgánico" mientras está suspendido y que el producto anterior ya no es "orgánico". Para las operaciones agrícolas, cualquier cultivo actualmente almacenado ya no es orgánico y debe venderse de manera convencional. Solo los cultivos cosechados después del restablecimiento, si se otorga, pueden venderse como "orgánicos". Cualquier cultivo cosechado de los campos antes de la reinstalación debe venderse de manera convencional ".

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Submission Successful

Thank you for submitting your organic certification application! OCIA looks forward to working with you.

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Envío exitoso

¡Gracias por enviar su solicitud de certificación orgánica! OCIA espera trabajar con usted.

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