U.S.-Canada Equivalence Arrangement

The United States and Canada maintain an organic equivalence arrangement. This arrangement allows USDA and COR certified organic products to be sold and labeled as organic both countries. Canada was the first organic equivalence market for U.S. exporters and remains a strong export destination for USDA organic products.

Scope: This equivalence covers trade of USDA-certified and COR certified products between the United States and Canada, as well as third countries. Products produced outside of the United States or Canada must be certified through the entire supply chain to either the USDA or Canadian organic standards. Allowed product categories: Crops, Wild Crops, Livestock, and Processed Products.

Note: OTA would like to credit the NOP Canada webpage for much of the information that appears on this page.

Critical Variances

Most USDA and COR certified organic products are eligible for trade under this equivalence. However, there are some product specific requirements.

Requirements for certified organic products exported to the U.S.:

Agricultural products derived from animals treated with antibiotics shall not be sold, labeled, or represented as organic in the U.S.
Requirements for certified organic products exported to Canada:
Agricultural products produced with the use of sodium nitrate shall not be sold or marketed as organic in Canada.
Agricultural products produced by hydroponic or aeroponic production methods shall not be sold or marketed as organic in Canada.
Agricultural products derived from nonruminant animals must be produced according to livestock stocking rates as set out in the Canadian organic regulations, CAN /CGSB32.310-2020.
The U.S.-Canada organic equivalence arrangement (USCOEA) does not extend to the USDA recognition agreements with Israel and New Zealand. USDA organic products certified by Israel and New Zealand accredited certification bodies are for direct export to the U.S. only. See the Government of Canada website for more information.
Aquatic plants are eligible for USDA organic certification under the crop standards (Policy Memo 12-1) and may be sold or marketed as organic in Canada.

Required Export Documentation

Exports of USDA Organic Products

USDA organic products exported to Canada must be accompanied by an organic certificate issued by a USDA-accredited certifying agent recognized under the terms of the U.S.-Canada equivalence arrangement. Canadian importers (or their broker) of USDA organic products must upload a digital copy of the organic certificate in Canada’s IID system when submitting an import declaration for organic products imported into Canada. The organic certificate or its associated addendum must identify which products meet the terms of the U.S.-Canada equivalence arrangement and include the following attestation statement:

“Certified in accordance with the terms of the U.S.-Canada Organic Equivalency Arrangement.”

U.S. Imports of COR Organic Products

COR products imported into the U.S. must be associated with an electronic NOP Import Certificate. COR-accredited certification bodies generate NOP Import Certificates in USDA's GLOBAL Organic Integrity Database (Global Integrity). Operations that export products to the U.S. under the organic equivalence arrangement are also listed in Global Integrity under the Trade Partners tab. The NOP Import Certificate must include the following attestation statement:

“Certified in compliance with the terms of the U.S.-Canada Organic Equivalency Arrangement.”

For additional details specific to U.S.-Canada trade involving products or ingredients form India and Mexico, please refer to the NOP Canada webpage.

Labeling

Organic products deemed equivalent under the arrangement can use either or both organic seals interchangeably, available from certifiers. Labels or stickers must state the name of the U.S. or Canadian certifying agent and may use the USDA organic seal or the Canada organic logo. All product labels for USDA exports to Canada must be in English and French.

The Organic Trade Association does not discriminate on the basis of age, disability, national origin or ancestry, race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation or military status. Persons with disabilities who require alternate means for communication of program information can contact us at info@ota.com.