Organic Agriculture

Canadian Standards (CARTV and COR)

Quebec

The Quebec Organic Reference Standards are under the responsibility of the Conseil des Appellations Réservées et des Termes Valorisants (CARTV). Organic certification according to these standards enables products sales within the province of Quebec.

Canada

The Canadian Organic Regulations, managed by the Canadian Organic Office, has been in effect since July 1st 2009. The Canadian Organic Standards (COS) are the property of the Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB).

This certification is necessary for all Canadian businesses who sell organic products interprovicially or who wish to use the Canada Organic logo on their labels.
All ingredients of an organic processed food product must also be certified COS.

NOP Equivalency Agreement

Since June 17 2009, there has been an equivalency agreement concerning the Canadian and US organic regulations. Products certified according to the Canadian standards can be sold across the border in the US and use the USDA ORGANIC logo on their packaging as long as the verification of specific criteria is assured.