Certifying Agent Accreditation & Agreements with Foreign Governments

The Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 (OFPA) directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to accredit certifying agents, which authorizes them to certify that producers and handlers representing their products as organic have complied with USDA National Organic Program (NOP) regulations. 

The NOP’s accreditation program establishes requirements an applicant must meet to become and maintain its role as an organic certifying agent. The program is designed to ensure that all organic certifying agents act consistently and impartially. 

There are about 100 private and State organic certifying agents worldwide.