Standards for Organic Agriculture

History

First Edition (1999)

In December 1996, the Canadian Organic Advisory Board, an industry group representing the interests of groups of organic farmers and certification bodies throughout Canada, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada approached the Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB) to develop a National Standard of Canada for organic agriculture. The CGSB established the Standards Committee on Organic Agriculture (the "Committee") that prepared and reviewed six drafts of the standard between January 1997 and March 1999. The national standard entitled Organic Agriculture (CAN/CGSB-32.310) was published in June 1999.

The national standard outlined principles for organic agriculture that endorse sound production and management practices to enhance the quality and sustainability of the environment, and ensure the ethical treatment of livestock. It also specified the minimum criteria that must be met when food products, inputs and other products used in organic production are defined as organic, or by comparable wording described in this standard.

Second Edition (2006)

In 2002, in order to facilitate trade with major partners including the European Union (EU), the United States (U.S.) and Japan, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada requested that the CGSB revise the National Standard of Canada for Organic Agriculture. The revisions were intended to ensure that the Canadian standard met the requirements of these trading partners.

Comparative tables of the EU, U.S. and Japan regimes, the United Nations’ Codex Alimentarius Commission “Guidelines for the Production, Processing, Labelling, and Marketing of Organic Food,” and the Canadian standard, were prepared and considered by Committee members in developing the revised national standard. Additional issues considered during this revision included provisions made to the standard because of expected reference in regulations.

Two national standards were published in September 2006: CAN/CGSB-32.310-2006, Organic Production Systems — General Principles and Management Standards, and CAN/CGSB-32.311-2006, Organic Production Systems — Permitted Substances List.

Amendments (October 2008 and December 2009)

The 2006 edition of the national standards have been revised. The revisions were required to address items that were placed on a Future Work List. These items include the removal of references to and the discretion of Certification Bodies throughout the standard, clarification of technical requirements, and the addition of new technical requirements and substances to the Permitted Substances List.

The Canadian Organic Growers Inc. sponsored the October 2008 Amendment, with funding obtained from the Advancing Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food Program of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. The December 2009 Amendment was sponsored by the Canadian Food and Inspection Agency (CFIA).

As well, in 2006, the Organic Products Regulations were put in place by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, requiring additional changes to the standards.

Current Revision

The standards are being revised to address items on the Future Work List. These items include the clarification of technical requirements, and the addition of new technical requirements and substances to the Permitted Substances List. The revision is being sponsored by the Canadian Food and Inspection Agency (CFIA).

Copies of the standards can be obtained

On the Web

Minutes of Committee meetings may be obtained by writing to:

Secretary, Committee on Organic Agriculture
Canadian General Standards Board
Gatineau, Canada
K1A 1G6

Fax: 819-956-5740
E-mail: ncr.cgsb-ongc@pwgsc.gc.ca