The U.S. has an organic equivalence arrangement with Korea for organic processed foods. This means that, as long as the terms of the arrangement are met, certified organic operations in Korea or in the U.S. may sell their products as organic in either country.
Questions and Answers
USDA Organic Standards
Scope. This equivalence arrangement is limited to country-to-country trade. For U.S. exports: It is limited to products certified to the USDA organic regulations that have had their final processing occur within the U.S. For Korea exports: It is limited to products certified to the Korea organic regulations that have had their final processing occur on Korea.
Allowed product categories: Processed Products - as defined by the Korean Food Code (zip file - Open Chapter 1, see definition of “Processed food”)
- Agricultural products derived from animals treated with antibiotics may not be exported to the United States as certified organic.
Documentation – Exports of U.S. Organic Products. Products exported to Korea under the arrangement must be accompanied by an NAQS Import Certificate of Organic Processed Foods. The NAQS Import Certificate must be issued by Korea’s e-NAQS Import Certificate System. For questions about the e-NAQS Import Certificate System or for assistance creating a user account, contact Korea’s help desk at: naqshelpdesk@korea.kr. View a sample of the NAQS Import Certificate.
U.S. operations should inform their USDA-accredited certifying agent that they wish to ship products to Korea. Certifying agents issue the NAQS Import Certificate in the e-NAQS system and provide a printed copy of the form to the operator to accompany the shipment at the port of entry. The documentation must include this statement: “Certified in compliance with the terms of the U.S.-Korea Organic Equivalency Arrangement.”
NOP Import Certificate (pdf), issued by a Korean Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA)-accredited certification body. Instructions (pdf). The documentation must include this statement: “Certified in compliance with the terms of the U.S.-Korea Organic Equivalency Arrangement.”
U.S. labeling Requirements. Korean products processed under the terms of the arrangement must be labeled according to USDA organic labeling requirements and may display the USDA organic seal and/or Korean organic food label. Organic Labeling | USDA Organic Seal
Korean Labeling Requirements. U.S. products produced under the arrangement must be labeled according to MAFRA’s organic labeling requirements and may display the Korean organic food label and/or USDA organic seal. Korean labeling requirements | Korean Organic Seal (links open zip files on Korean website)
Oversight. The U.S. and Republic of Korea will assess each other’s systems on a regular basis to ensure that the terms of the arrangement are being met and equivalence is maintained. Both parties will notify each other of any changes which could affect the terms of the arrangement. Any concerns will be addressed by a joint Organics Working Group, which will include experts from both countries.
Historical Documents
Equivalency announcement: Press Release
Equivalency arrangement: Letter to Korea (pdf) | Letter to the U.S. (pdf)