USDA Organic (National Organic Program)
US Organic Production and Handling Certification
USDA Organic (National Organic Program) is an accredited third-party certification: US Organic Production and Handling Certification. USDA Organic (the National Organic Program) covers organic production and handling in the United States. It applies to farms, processors and exporters supplying the US market under an organic claim.
- Class
- Accredited third-party certification
- Scheme owner
- USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)
- Related sectors
- 1
- Last verified
What is this programme?
USDA Organic (the National Organic Program) covers organic production and handling in the United States. The federal regulator, USDA Agricultural Marketing Service, grants accreditation; independent certifying agents issue the certificate.
Who is it for?
Farms, processors and exporters supplying the US market under an organic claim.
Who issues the certificate?
The certificate is issued by an independent certifying agent accredited by USDA AMS; USDA itself does not certify individual operations.
What to verify before you accept it
Confirm the certifying agent's USDA AMS accreditation, and that the accreditation scope covers the specific product category.
What triggers an assessment?
- A product will be supplied to the US market under an organic claim.
- A buyer or retailer requires USDA Organic.
- A role is held in an organic farming or handling stage.
What does it not replace?
- It is not the same as GOTS; GOTS covers the textile supply chain, USDA Organic covers agricultural/food production and handling.
- It is not automatically equivalent to JAS Organic or the Canada Organic Regime; each programme has its own accreditation and recognition framework.
Official source
Last verified:
This page is for information only; it is not legal advice. A programme appearing here does not mean it is required for your business. This library does not issue certificates.