CFIA Clarifies Policies for Input Approval

UPDATE: On January 15, 2019 an updated Canada Organic Regime (COR) Operating Manual was published. Revisions in the Operating Manual specifically supersede the 2014 CFIA Memo titled, “Input verification under the Canada Organic Regime.” The current Canada Organic Regime (COR) Operating Manual is now the source document that clarifies the policies for input verification under the COR standards. For more information, please see the OMRI FAQ, “Does CFIA recognize OMRI's decisions about materials?” as well as C.2.2.5 of the Canada Organic Regime (COR) Operating Manual. 

(June 11, 2014) The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) recently released a memo that clarifies the policies for input verification under the Canada Organic Regime (COR) standards. The memo effectively states that Certification Bodies (CBs) are allowed to accept the determination of an outside input evaluation program. It also allows CBs to consult with a third party to obtain the technical information necessary to complete a product review. OMRI offers review and listing of compliant inputs, as well as a technical assistance service through its subscription program. 
 
The CFIA memo stipulates that organizations providing input evaluation or technical advice concerning inputs must be accredited to ISO 17065, the International Standardization Organization's requirements for bodies certifying products, processes and services. OMRI's materials review program is approved to ISO 17065 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Quality Assessment Division.    
 
"We appreciate the clarification that CFIA has provided," says Peggy Miars, OMRI Executive Director/CEO. "We started the OMRI Canada program in order to make it clearer and easier for organic producers in Canada to find appropriate inputs, as well as to ensure the integrity of those inputs. We are fortunate to have the clarification of CFIA as we work toward these goals."
 
The OMRI Canada Products List© was launched in October 2013. It currently includes more than 400 products, and new products are added each month. The list is available for free download from the OMRI.org website.
 
 
Contact: Meghan Murphy, Marketing Manager
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