Labeling and Logo Guides
Please do not print labels until Organic Certifiers has reviewed and approved the labels for compliance.
Using the USDA Organic Seal
Basic guidelines for using the USDA Organic seal/logo
Background for understanding the USDA Organic seal
100 Percent Organic, Organic and Made With Organic Guidelines
USDA Organic labeling requirements and categories
Additional guidance on “Made With Organic” labels
International Organic Equivalence
The USDA National Organic Program works with the Foreign Agricultural Service and Office of the United States Trade Representative to establish international trade arrangements for organic products. Organic equivalence arrangements eliminate the need for organic operations to have separate organic certification to the USDA standards and the other country’s standards. The arrangements avoid a double set of fees, inspections and paperwork. Read more on the terms of the arrangements.
Please do not print labels until Organic Certifiers has reviewed and approved the labels for compliance.
USDA Organic Seal
The USDA organic seal is an official mark protected by federal regulation and overseen by the National Organic Program. Following certification, businesses are authorized to use the seal to identify their products as organic.
Access USDA logo files
Organic Certifiers Seals
Operations certified by Organic Certifiers are authorized to use the Organic Certifiers certification seal. The seal shall be the size, color, placement and use specification as approved by Organic Certifiers. Certified operations are required to obtain pre-approval of labels to ensure compliance. The seal must not be displayed more prominently than the USDA Organic Seal.
If the “Certified Organic By:” logo is being used to fulfill the Certification Statement requirement, it must be located below the handling or distributing information.
Access Organic Certifiers logos
• Using the USDA Organic Seal
USDA Organic Business Changes
Steps to Add, Remove or Make Changes to Products on your Organic Certificate
Step 1
Gather the necessary documents Organic Certifiers will need for compliance review.
Information should include product label, product formula, specification sheets, current organic supplier certificates, and non-organic ingredient affidavits. Access Blank Forms
Step 2
Submit the documents through your SupplyTrak portal as a Client Request or by completing the Product Request Form.
Organic Certifiers Technical Evaluators will review your submission.
Step 3
Respond to any additional requests for more information if contacted by your Technical Evaluator.
Once all information is received and deemed compliant, the request will be approved.
Step 4
Your Technical Evaluator will send you a copy of your updated Organic Certificate or Addendum listing your approved product.
Frequent Client Questions
Where can I access documents and forms?
Answer
Organic Certifiers has assembled important documents, including a procedures manual, and forms for your business.
How can I get started or reset my SupplyTrak password?
Answer
SupplyTrak is your client portal for certification and compliance management.
How do I stay updated on USDA Organic information from Organic Certifiers?
Answer
Organic Certifiers keeps clients updated on USDA Organic Certification changes, as well as complementary FoodChain ID services.
Industry Resources
- National Organic Program (NOP) Regulations
- NOP’s National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances
- Organic Training Resources
- Transition to Organic Partnership Program
- USDA Integrity Database
- International Trade Agreements
- USDA Organic Certification Cost Share Program
- California Cost Share Program
- USDA Accredited Organic Certification Agents
- Responsibilities of Operations Changing Certifiers
- USDA Guide for Organic Crop Producers
- Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI)
- USDA Organic Certification Cost Share Program
- California Cost Share Program
- Conventional Farmers Transitioning to Organic Certification (TOPP)
- Organic Seed Producer Directory
- California Department of Food & Agriculture Registration
For organic consulting support, the following individuals are available. Organic Certifiers, as a certification body, cannot provide consulting.
Bill Brosseau
Winemaker, Organic Winegrower, Consultant
Pebble Beach, CA
800-537-9317
bill@brosseauwines.com
Bill Brosseau has been involved with vineyards his entire life. In addition to studies at UC Davis, he has worked for famed wineries spanning Napa to Monterey County. Bill started the journey of learning organic farming practices in 2006, and by 2007 converted his family’s home ranch to organic. When his 2007 Chardonnay received the top domestic Chardonnay award from Wine and Spirits magazine that year, Bill knew he was heading in the right direction. Since then, he has been carefully navigating the path for vineyard owners transitioning to organic methods and achieving higher wine quality. Bill regards himself as a personal trainer for your vineyard and helping ownership maintain steady dedication during the transition to certified organic.
Integrated Organic Services, Inc.
Cara Smiley
Integrated Organic Services, Inc.
Oaxaca, Mexico
(+52) 951-228-3386
csmiley@integratedorganic.com
Based in Mexico, Integrated Organic Services provides evaluation, development, training and verification to the following organic standards to companies located in the USA, Mexico and Central and South America: NOP (USA), LPO (Mexico), COR (Canada) and EU (European Union). Services include development and review of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Logs and Organic Plan, personnel training, review of inputs, materials and ingredients development, label review and evaluation of audit trace back and mass balance systems. Integrated Organic Services offers bilingual organic expertise.
Organic Help
Carol Cripe
Organic Help
246 Lakewood Drive
Waleska, GA 30183
(760)-550-0519
lilacoaksranch@gmail.com
Dan Giacomini
Middletown, CA
(707)-321-5402
dg.giacomini@gmail.com
The Organic Consulting Firm
Karen Troxell/Shannon Murphy
The Organic Consulting Firm
Temecula, CA
(951)-676-4395
www.TheOCF.com
info@theocf.com
Let The Organic Consulting Firm (The OCF) do the work for you! The OCF is an international company providing full service evaluation, development, training, and verification to organic standards, including USDA, Equivalency Agreements, and others. The founders are active in today’s organic certification industry. The OCF will integrate organic compliance into existing procedures to create a complete customized Organic System Plan.
Christie Organic Consultants, Inc.
Lois Christie
Christie Organic Consultants, Inc.
Fallbrook, CA
(760)-419-5056
lois@christieorganic.com
Having worked both for major organic certification agencies as an inspector, reviewer, and certification representative, and as an independent organic consultant with a prominent consulting firm, anything from the most humble farm to the most complex multi-ingredient processing and packing operations, Lois Christie has seen it all from both sides, making Christie Organic Consultants uniquely qualified to assist you with all things organic. Lois is well versed in the regulations and requirements for the USDA National Organic Program (NOP), as the international standards such as Canada, the EU, Japan and Switzerland. We will train you and your staff, prepare your application and update existing forms and systems or create new ones, as needed. We can also assist with material reviews, extensive or complex responses, mediations and/or appeals.
Wolf & Associates
John Foster
Wolf & Associates
john@organicspecialists.com
Karlin Strategic Consulting
Marni Karlin
(202)-236-7473
marni@karlinstrategic.com
www.karlinstrategic.com
Karlin Strategic Consulting is a trusted food and agriculture advocate, ready to work with you to build your vision of a better food system. We are leading subject matter experts, passionate about creating a healthier and better food system. We bring deep Washington experience, sharp strategic thinking, and a genuine passion to help like-minded partners affect real change. We work with our partners towards a healthier, more sustainable food system – everything from climate-smart, resilient agriculture, thriving and inclusive organic markets, to fair treatment for every worker.
Sheila Linderman Consulting
Sheila Linderman
Sheila Linderman Consulting
738 East Dundee Road, Suite 219
Palatine, IL 60074
(818)-235-2232
sheila@sheilalinderman.com
- Organic Certification
- EU Organic Certification
- Gluten-free Certification
- Kosher Certification
