Organic Certifications

The National Organic Program (NOP) develops, implements, and administers national production, handling, and labeling standards for organic agricultural products.

www.ams.usda.gov/nop

Oregon Tilth Certified Organic (OTCO) products carry this seal which uphold to the NOP standards above but require products to be 100% organic ingredients (while the USDA standards require a minimum of 95%).

www.tilth.org

California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) promotes and supports organic food and agriculture through a premier organic certification program, trade support, producer and consumer education and political advocacy.

www.ccof.org

The Sustainability in Practice (SIP) program provides a comprehensive and verifiable method to authenticate a vineyard’s attention to integrated farming practices – a commitment to environmental stewardship, equitable treatment of employees, and economic viability. www.sipthegoodlife.org

Biodynamic® farming is free of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers in the same manner as certified organic farming. In order to qualify for Demeter Biodynamic® status a farm must first meet the same 3-year transition requirement that NOP certified organic farming requires. What distinguishes a Demeter certified Biodynamic® farm from a certified organic farm is that, in its entirety, a Demeter Biodynamic farm is managed as a living organism.

www.demeter-usa.org/about-biodynamic-agriculture/

In France, legislation on organic agriculture was passed in 1981. The state logo for organic products, the AB-Logo (Agriculture Biologique), was launched in 1985. www.organic.com.au/certify/AgricultureBiologique

Ecocert certification is an international organic certification body represented in France, Belgium, Italy, Portugal, Germany, and Spain.

www.ecocert.com

Qualité France is an independent, state approved organization that will certify and continually inspect the organic production methods of its producers.

www.qualite-france.com

The Soil Association (SA), which celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2006, emerged as the most powerful advocate in terms of a public face and political lobbying in the United Kingdom.

www.soilassociation.org/

Scientific Institute for Organic Agriculture, (DIO) certifies Greek organic products.

www.dionet.gr