COR Canadian Organic Regime Certification : The Canadian Agricultural Regime

What is COR Canadian Organic Regime Certification ?

The COR (Canadian Organic Regime), or Régime Bio Canada, represents a federal program dedicated to the regulation of organic products in the country. It targets mainly food, feed and seeds with an organic label claim. This regime applies to products marketed interprovincially, those imported, as well as those using the Canada logo, whether on the national or international market.

This food certification is based on Canadian standards that define the basics of organic farming: principles to follow, agricultural practices and permitted inputs. These standards are established by a technical committee - a group of professionals from various sectors of the organic sector - and validated by the Standards Council of Canada.

The award of COR certification is managed by accredited certification bodies, themselves controlled by compliance verification bodies designated by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). This agency is responsible for overseeing the Canada Organic Regime, as well as managing the use of the Canada logo. The mission of the certification bodies is to ensure that the actors in the organic sector (from production to manufacturing, including processing and handling) respect national standards in organic farming.

The process also includes inspections, carried out by verification officers, which assess organic practices and issue the necessary certificates of conformity.

COR certification gives Canadian organic products a national and international reputation. Indeed, thanks to equivalence agreements signed with many countries (European Union, United States, Japan, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Taiwan, Costa Rica), trade in these products is facilitated. This label guarantees consumers the purchase of reliable and environmentally friendly organic products.

Which organisations offer COR certification ?

COR certification is obtained from a Certification Body (CB) accredited by a Compliance Verification Body (CVB), itself designated by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). In Canada, there are various CBs and CVOs that provide certification services tailored to different business sectors and markets.

Examples of organizations offering COR certification include :

Certification bodies (CBs)

• RBC Canada Organic : This CB provides certification services for organic products for both the Canadian and international markets, including the European Union, the United States, Japan, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Taiwan and Costa Rica. Certified product categories include food and animal products, seeds, natural health products, cosmetics and organic textiles. Training, consulting and audit services are also offered.
• Ecocert Canada : This CB provides certification services for organic products, covering both the Canadian and international market. The certifiable products extend to human and animal feed, seeds, natural health, cosmetics and organic textiles. In addition to certification, Ecocert offers training, consulting and audits.
• Pro-Cert Organic Systems Ltd. : Providing certification services for the Canadian market and several international markets, this CB covers a wide range of products, including food and feed, seeds, and natural health products. Services such as training, consulting and auditing are also available.

Compliance Verification Bodies (CVB)

• Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) : This is the government entity that oversees the Canada Organic Regime, also managing the use of the Canada logo. It designates the CVB to accredit the CBs and conducts audits and inspections to ensure compliance with Canadian organic farming standards.
• Standards Council of Canada (SCC) : This CVB accredits CBs wishing to offer certification services for Canadian and international markets. It plays an indispensable role in assessing the competence and conformity of CBs with international standards.
• International Organic Accreditation Service (IOAS) : This OVC specializes in accrediting CBs for a global reach, thus making certification services reliable according to international standards of quality and compliance.

What are the specific COR certification requirements for my industry ?

To achieve COR certification, it is essential to comply with Canadian organic standards. These standards govern the principles, accepted practices, and permitted inputs for the production, processing, packaging, and labelling of organic products. They are designed to adapt to a variety of sectors, including agriculture, livestock, beekeeping, greenhouse, hydroponic or mushroom cultivation, and microorganism cultivation, as well as food or non-food processing, product handling and storage, distribution, trade, and support services.

The specific requirements vary according to your field of activity, as explained in the Canadian standards for organic farming. For a farmer, for example, this includes specific guidelines on soil, fertilizers, pesticides, seeds, crops and animals, products derived from them, biodiversity, resource conservation, contamination control, as well as records management, among other things.

If you work in food processing, you will have to follow instructions on ingredients, additives, technology aids, manufacturing processes, packaging, labelling, contamination prevention, product separation and record keeping, to name a few.

Yvea and its partners are here to support you in meeting the specific requirements of COR certification within your sector. Take advantage of preferential rates on certification services offered by recognized organizations such as Bio-Canada RBC, Ecocert Canada, or Pro-Cert Organic Systems Ltd., all accredited by authorities such as the Standards Council of Canada or the International Organic Accreditation Service.

You will also benefit from comprehensive support through training, personalized advice and certification audits, offered by these organizations.

What are the steps to obtain COR certification ?

COR certification is an important quality label, and to get it, follow these key steps :

Select an accredited certification body

Start by selecting a Certification Body (CB) recognized by a Compliance Verification Body (CVB) and designated by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). The list of accredited CBs is available on the CFIA website. Ensure that the SO you select matches your industry and market objectives. Also compare the service fees and conditions offered by different OCs to find the best option for your business.

2. Apply for certification

Once the SO is selected, complete a certification application with details of your company, products, production methods, suppliers, customers, etc. You will also need to attach necessary supporting documents such as invoices, product labels, business plans, production records, etc. Note that there are fees associated with this request, which vary depending on the SO selected.

3. Preparation for evaluation

Prepare for the assessment of your business by an CB Verification Officer. Be sure to follow Canadian organic standards, available on the Standards Council of Canada website. It is also important to establish a quality management system that includes procedures, internal audits, control measures, and appropriate corrective actions.

4. Successfully complete the on-site assessment

The on-site assessment is performed by a verification officer who will inspect your facilities, equipment, production practices, documentation, products, and inputs to ensure compliance with Canadian organic standards. At the end of this evaluation, you will receive a report detailing the strengths and weaknesses, any non-conformities, and recommendations for improvements.

5. Obtaining certification

To certify your products as organic, you must first obtain a certification from your company by the Certification Body (CB). This step requires the CB to evaluate your evaluation report submitted by the Audit Officer. If this report indicates that you meet Canadian standards for organic farming, the CB will issue you a certificate of compliance. This certificate proves that your products comply with organic requirements.

Once certified, you will have the right to affix the Canada logo to your products. This logo, a registered trademark of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), signals to consumers that your products meet the country’s organic farming standards. In case of non-compliance with these standards, the CB will notify you of the need for corrective measures. These may vary between specific actions to be taken, deadlines to be met, possible sanctions.

How much does a COR certification cost ?

The price of obtaining a COR certification varies according to several essential criteria, such as the field of activity of your company, its size, the number of products to be certified, your target market, as well as the certification body you have selected. It is important to note that there is no flat rate for acquiring COR certification. Costs can vary greatly from one certification body to another. However, they generally break down as follows :

• Application fees : These fees, to be paid when submitting your application, cover the administrative expenses associated with the analysis of your application and the constitution of your file. They are usually between $100 and $500.
• Evaluation fee : Charged after the inspection by the Audit Officer, this fee includes travel costs, time spent on the evaluation, tests performed, report writing, and others. Their calculation is based on an hourly rate fluctuating between $50 and $150, plus travel costs, which depend on distance.
• Certification fee : Payable once the certificate of conformity is obtained, these fees are related to the issue of the certificate, the authorization to use the Canada logo, the update of your file, etc. Their calculation is usually based on a percentage of your annual revenue, ranging from 0.1% to 1.5%, with a floor and ceiling defined by the certification body.

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As a result, the total annual cost for COR certification can range from $500 to $10,000, depending on your specific situation. To alleviate this financial burden, assistance such as the Canadian Agricultural Adaptation Program (CAAP) reimburses up to 70% of certification fees, up to a maximum of $750 per year. You can also take advantage of Yvea’s partnerships, giving you access to preferential rates at organizations such as Bio-Canada RBC, Ecocert Canada or Pro-Cert Organic Systems Ltd.

How long does it take to get a COR certification ?

The time it takes to acquire COR certification varies depending on several factors, including the complexity of your business, the number of products, the sector in which you operate, and the certification body you have chosen. Since there is no specific duration for obtaining COR certification, the process is based on an estimated assessment that may differ from one certification body to another. In general, the process to obtain COR certification includes the following steps :

• Examination of the certification application, which takes between 2 and 4 weeks. During this period, the certification body reviews your file and assigns you an audit officer.
• Planning of the on-site assessment, requiring between 2 and 6 weeks for the verification officer to arrange a visit to your site.
• Frank assessment of compliance with Canadian standards for organic farming, which usually takes place over a period of 1-3 days.
• Rédaction du rapport d'évaluation, où l'agent résume ses observations en 1 à 2 semaines.
• Issuance of the certificate of conformity by the body, which takes between 2 and 4 weeks to review the assessment report and decide to grant certification.

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The total process to obtain COR certification can vary from 2 to 6 months. To speed up the process, prepare your business in advance by meeting Canadian organic standards and implementing an effective quality management system.

By choosing responsive and competent certification bodies, such as Bio-Canada RBC, Ecocert Canada, or Pro-Cert Organic Systems Ltd. With Yvea’s partners, you can optimize the time to acquire your certification.

Is there a renewal to be done regarding the COR certification ?

The COR certification is valid for a specific period, often one year, and can be renewed under certain conditions.

To renew your COR certification, follow these steps :

• Complete a renewal request by providing up-to-date information about your business and supporting documentation. Renewal fees, generally lower than the initial certification, are also payable.
• Conduct a follow-up assessment that is less detailed than the initial assessment, verifying that you still meet Canadian organic standards and have applied any previous corrective actions or recommendations. It is crucial to maintain your quality management system.
• Submit to a follow-up assessment by an audit officer, which confirms your compliance with Canadian organic standards by examining various aspects of your business. A follow-up evaluation report will be prepared, indicating the strengths, weaknesses, non-conformities and recommendations of your system.
• Renew your certification with the certification body after reviewing the evaluation report. A new certificate will be issued if you still meet the standards, allowing you to continue using the Canada logo on your products. Otherwise, corrective measures will be requested.

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The renewal of the COR certification is crucial to ensure the quality, safety and respect for the environment of your organic products. This keeps the Canada logo, recognized both nationally and internationally, opening access to many markets.

The process also strengthens consumer confidence, which is increasingly concerned about traceability and food safety.