Standards and Certification

Provides access to Program Standards, information on trade issues, materials on organic certification and accreditation including a listing of USDA accredited certifying agents, and resources for producers, handlers, processors and retailers regarding organic production and marketing. Selected Resources:

• FAQ: Becoming a Certified Operation
• Do I Need to Be Certified Organic?
• What is Organic Certification
• Organic Labeling
• Hydroponic and Aquaponic Task Force Report. National Organic Standards Board, July 21, 2016

Find a specific USDA certified organic farm or business by name, or search for an operation with specific characteristics or certified products.

Have a question about organic certification? Find factsheets, articles, webinars, tutorials and news briefs.

"Assist[s] farmers, ranchers and food business owners (new or experienced, small- or large-scale) interested in exploring transition strategies prior to becoming certified organic." "[A]ddresses organic certification requirements as they pertain to or affect business planning; however, the Planner is not a comprehensive guide to becoming certified organic."

Provides those who own, manage, or certify organic operations with guidance and instructions that can assist them in complying with the National Organic Program (NOP) regulations.

Reviews "products intended for use in certified organic production, handling, and processing." Produces the OMRI Products List and the OMRI Certified Organic Seed and Planting Stock List.

Promotes the benefits of organic trade to producers, consumers and the economy. Discusses organic standards and certification processes. Offers resources for the organic industry including The Organic Pages Online, a comprehensive directory of certified organic products and services.

IFOAM is the "worldwide umbrella organisation of the organic agriculture movement" whose members represent about 105 countries. Includes resources on international organic standards and certification.

Organic Agriculture at FAO
Contains organic agriculture resources available from FAO. Includes production information for various countries, FAQs, full-text documents, meeting and event reports, Web links, and The FAO Glossary on Organic Agriculture. [Spanish] [French]

The Guidelines for the Production, Processing, Labelling and Marketing of Organically Produced Foods are "intended to guide and promote the elaboration and establishment of definitions and requirements for foods, to assist in their harmonization and, in doing so, to facilitate international trade."