Organic Food Program | ||||
Update: 1/12/2009 Organic Food Program For more information,
e-mail us
or call (360) 902-1805.
WSDA Organic Food ProgramThe WSDA Organic Food Program protects consumers and supports the organic food industry by ensuring the integrity of organic food products through establishing organic standards and certifying organic producers, processors, and handlers. The WSDA Organic Food Program has put together reference material to assist applicants with the organic certification process. The WSDA Rules and Regulations Book contains the USDA National Organic Standards, WSDA Organic Standards and Regulations, and WSDA Organic Certification Fee Information. The WSDA Guide to Organic Certification provides answers to frequently asked questions about certification, and provides details and references about organic production and handling requirements.
Fact Sheet
Check out the brochures we provide to the public. Contact our office if you would like a copy.
ComplaintsThe WSDA Organic Food Program has established a complaint procedure to help ensure the complaints from applicants for certification, certified operations and the public are processed and addressed in an orderly and timely manner. Please reference the Complaint Procedure for further details.
National Organic Program InformationThe National Organic Program (NOP) is a federal law that requires all organic food products to meet the same standards and be certified under the same certification process. All organic producers and handlers must be certified by accredited organic certification agencies unless exempt or excluded from certification (under $5,000 in sales, retailers)
International ProgramsAs exports of organic food products from Washington State have increased, a need for a certification program specific to foreign standards has been identified. WSDA Organic Food Program has developed a program of inspecting and verifying compliance of certified producers, handlers, and processing operations to European standards, as well as Japan requirements. Certification under the International Program ensures continued market access for Washington certified crops and products.
Export CertificatesSeveral foreign governments require specific documentation from a USDA Certification Agency before the organic product can enter the country. WSDA Organic Food Program can provide these services to certified operations in order to facilitate the shipping of an organic product.
EUROPE JAPAN KOREA Contact Brenda Book at (360) 902-2090, FAX (360) 902-2087, email: bbook@agr.wa.gov for export document forms or applications, or with questions regarding the requirements of exporting products to the foreign countries. Organic QuarterlyThe Organic Quarterly is published by the Organic Food Program to keep our certified organic producers, processors and handlers updated on current events within the state and federal programs. We look forward to comments and feedback, or send us a question and we may address it in the next issue!!
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Hot TopicsJanuary Organic Quarterly coming soon! Manure Guidelines (PDF 94 KB) Manure Testing Requirements letter (PDF 548 KB) 2009 Cost-Share Application (PDF 298 KB) and W9 (PDF 33 KB) 2008 Cost-Share Application (PDF 298 KB) and W9 (PDF 33 KB) Job Opening! Organic Certification Specialist (PDF 63 KB) |
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