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Standards

The most recent versions of the organic agriculture standards are available for downloading via Government of Canada publications:

Review of standards

Gatineau, Quebec, December 2020—Public Services and Procurement Canada's Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB) announces the publication of two National Standards of Canada on organic agriculture, CAN/CGSB-32.310—Organic production systems—General principles and management standards, and CAN/CGSB-32.311—Organic productions systems—Permitted substances lists.

The new editions of the standards were developed over two years by the CGSB Committee on Organic Agriculture and reflect changes within the Canadian organic industry.

Committee on organic agriculture membership

All CGSB standards committee members are volunteers. Membership in a CGSB standards committee is open to any individual or organization that has a direct interest in the standards committee's decisions, an expressed interest in standards development and are able to make an active contribution. The composition of the committee on organic agriculture includes producers, users, general interest and regulatory representatives.

A standards committee has two types of members: voting and non-voting. The most recent voting membership is published in the last edition of the standards. CGSB strives to ensure that the representation from each interest category is balanced to prevent any single group from dominating the standards committee's voting procedures.

Members should have technical expertise and practical experience related to the work of the committee.

Status in regulation

On January 15, 2019, the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations Part 13 came into force that includes organic labelling.

For more information regarding regulation, please consult the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website.

Organic agriculture standards development 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 (AAFC) approached the CGSB to develop a National Standard of Canada (NSC) 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 (AAFC) requested that the CGSB revise the National Standard of Canada (NSC) for Organic Agriculture. The revisions were intended to ensure that the Canadian standard met the requirements of these trading partners.

Comparative tables of the European Union (EU), United States (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.

Second edition amendments (2008, 2009 and 2011)

The 2006 edition of the national standards were amended three times. The amendments were required to address items from the previous revision 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 revision, with funding obtained from the Advancing Canadian Agriculture and Agri-Food Program of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC).

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

Third edition

The CGSB Committee on Organic Agriculture was sponsored by the Standards Council of Canada to develop new editions of the organic production systems standards. The CGSB Committee for Organic Agriculture was re-established in 2013 and selected Mr. Hugh Martin as the chair of the committee. The committee addressed several hundred work items over two years and four meetings, held in Gatineau and Vancouver. The new editions were published in November 2015 and included a committee motion to develop a process to update the Permitted Substances List on a more frequent basis while still adhering to requirements of a National Standard of Canada.

Third edition amendments (2018)

The 2015 edition of the national standards were amended in 2018. The amendments were required to address items from the previous revision.

Fourth edition

The 2020 edition of the National Standards were updated to reflect clarifications in Scope of document, additional and revised definitions a new informative annex for Permittee Substance decisions. As well there are additions, deletions and changes in the following clauses: Organic plan; Crop production; Livestock production; Specific production requirements (particularly Apiculture; Maple products; Sprouts, shoots and microgreens production; and Crops Grown in Structures or Containers [previously known as Greenhouse crops]); Maintaining organic integrity during cleaning, preparation and transportation; and Organic product composition.

Frequently asked questions on the organic production systems standard

Note

These frequently asked questions (FAQ) address only the process that the CGSB uses to revise the organic agriculture standards. For information on generic CGSB process questions, see standards development. Other departments and agencies of the Government of Canada are responsible for addressing issues that are outside of the CGSB's mandate. Where the CGSB cannot provide an answer, it does indicate where further assistance may be obtained.

Why is it important to have Canadian standards on organic production systems?

A single, consensus standard recognized by producers, users and government has many advantages. They include easy identification of product ingredients through labelling and common language, promotion of user confidence, and representation of a variety of views and expertise.

The aims of the organic production systems standards are:

Is the 2020 edition of the standards voluntary or mandatory?

All National Standards of Canada are voluntary standards. However, some CGSB standards have become mandatory because they are referenced in regulation by a regulatory body or in procurement schemes.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency—Organic Products (CFIA) developed and put in place the Organic Products Regulations, 2009 (SOR/2009-176). Additionally several provinces also use the National Standards to regulate organic labelling within their jurisdiction.

What do the standards cover?

CAN/CGSB-32.310, Organic Production Systems: General Principles and Management Standards, describes the principles and management standards of organic production systems. This standard outlines the principles of sound organic farming systems throughout the production, processing, storage, transportation, labelling and marketing stages: the production of high quality food using sustainable management practices, which avoid damage to the environment, and ensure the ethical treatment of livestock.

The standard specifies criteria that must be met when food products and other inputs used in organic production are described as organic, including production, processing and handling of organically produced foods. These minimum requirements must be met or exceeded in order to meet this standard for organic agriculture. The standard includes sections on Definitions and Terminology; Organic Plan, which includes Record Keeping and Identification; Crop Production; Livestock Production; Specific Production Requirements; Preparation and Handling of Organic Products; Emergency Pest or Disease Treatment; Labelling and Claims, and the Requirements for Adding or Amending Substances in CAN/CGSB-32.311.

The standard does not cover issues such as implementation and regulations, which are outside the scope of the Standard Committee on Organic Agriculture's mandate. CAN/CGSB-32.311, Organic Production Systems—Permitted Substances Lists, provides lists of substances that are allowed for use in organic production systems. It is not a list of commercial products.

What substances are permitted and prohibited for use in organic agriculture?

CAN/CGSB-32.311, Organic Production Systems—Permitted Substances Lists, includes the following substances lists:

The application and use of these substances must be in accordance with the requirements outlined in CAN/CGSB-32.310, Organic Production Systems: General Principles and Management Standards.

Frequently asked questions on the standards committee on organic agriculture

How were the members of the Standards Committee on Organic Agriculture chosen?

All committee member organizations that developed previous editions of the standard were invited to continue as members. The CGSB then compiled an additional list of potential members using association indexes, government indexes, Web sites, conference information, media sources and discussion with the sponsor. The CGSB sent potential members a letter to invite their participation and their suggestions for membership.

Who is on the Standards Committee on Organic Agriculture?

The Standards Committee on Organic Agriculture includes over 80 technical experts representing user, producer, general interest and regulatory groups. Thirty five members of this Committee are voting members. The other technical experts are non-voting members.

Who chairs the Standards Committee on Organic Agriculture and how is the chairperson chosen?

The Standards Committee members select their own chairperson. The current Chairperson is Hugh Martin. He is an independent consultant in the organics industry, after having previously been with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs.

Other frequently asked questions about organic production

Do the organic production system standards affect Canada's trade agreements?

This question should be directed to Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development and to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

Do Canada's trading partners have to comply with the organic production system standards in order for their organic products to be accepted in the Canadian marketplace?

This question should be directed to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

What requirements must be met to import or export organic products?

This question should be directed to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

What other international requirements for organic agriculture exist?

Several international requirements exist, including those of the European Union Standard, the Japanese Agricultural Standards, the U.S. National Organic Program, and the Codex Alimentarius Commission "Guidelines for the Production, Processing, Labelling, and Marketing of Organic Food". Some of these are under equivalency agreements with the Canadian Organic regulations. Please contact the Canadian Food Inspection Agency for more information.

Where can I obtain information on the certification process and certification bodies?

This question should be directed to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

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