Many people have been working hard to update the Organic Standards for 2018. That has now been done, and here they are.
Canadain Organic Standards 2018
Organic production systems: Permitted substances list
Summary of Modifications to the COS March 2018
Nicole Boudreau writes as follows:
Please note that Certification Bodies shall allow a period of up to 12 months after the publication date of an amendment to this standard and to CAN/CGSB-32.311 for an applicant to come into compliance with any changes to the requirements.(extract from III. Organic practices, CAN/CGSB-32.310) According to the a note issued by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency: Under the Organic Products Regulations 2009, all new and returning applicants for certification must meet the most recent versions of the standards at all times. As per section C.5.2 of the COR Operating Manual, a period of up to 12 months can be granted to previously certified operators who must be able to demonstrate conformity to the new requirements by April 12, 2019.
Regulations, 2009. These products can continue to be marketed as organic after April 12, 2019.
Revision of the Canadian Organic Standards Call for petitions The Canadian Organic Standards (COS) are a national standard that ensures Canadian agricultural production is sustainable; they are the backbone of our growing domestic and export-oriented industry. They are referenced by the Organic Products Regulations and, as all ‘national’ standards, they have to be reviewed every five years
The next review of the COS (modified in March 2018) needs to be completed by November 2020. The OFC invites you to propose modifications to the COS. Any grower, stakeholder or consumer can suggest modifications as the standard review process is based on transparency and consensus. Please note that:
This call for petitions is not the official launch of the review. In order to prepare the review, we need to know the modifications that the industry is proposing. We will then create the Working Groups that will analyze the proposed modifications and make recommendations to the Committee on organic agriculture, the body that is responsible for the final approval of the proposed recommendations. If you are interested in joining a Working Group, please send an email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and specify the section of COS that you are familiar with. |
Nicole Boudreau
OFC/FBC
514-488-6192