Accreditation and Recognition of Certifying Bodies

How many accredited or recognized certifiers are there in Quebec?

There are currently over forty of them, including six who are CARTV-accredited: International Certification Services (ICS-FVO), Organisme de Certification Québec Vrai, Organic Crop Improvement Association (OCIA Int.), Quality Assurance International (QAI Inc.), Ecocert Canada and OCPP/Pro-Cert Canada. As international recognition procedures continue to develop, the number of certifying bodies is expected to increase appreciably. We would suggest checking the CARTV web site regularly in order to remain up to date on changes.

How is an accredited certifying body different from one that is not?

In Quebec, the Act Respecting Reserved Designations paved the way towards establishing an accreditation program for certifiers, once the organic designation had been officially reserved in February 2000. Included within this program was an accreditation procedure, whereby certifying bodies could submit an application and then have their operations, their organic standards and also their certifying practices examined and audited by the Conseil des appellations réservées et des termes valorisants(CARTV). The CARTV ensures that these certifying bodies apply organic standards that meet certification practices at the international level and that their practices conform to those of ISO 65 Standards, which in these matters are also consistent with international reference standards.

What is the difference between an accredited and a recognized certifying body?

Accreditation of certifying bodies is reserved for those agencies carrying out inspection and certification activities within the province of Quebec. Recognition of certifying bodies involves a less complex procedure, and only targets those bodies certifying products accepted from outside of Quebec and sold within its markets.

Note that if any recognized body wishes to certify organic products in Quebec, it must obligatorily obtain accreditation from the CARTV.

If a product is accepted into Quebec, does the certifier need to be accredited?

No, in this case we are not referring to accreditation, but rather the recognition of their accreditation. This in fact means that the CARTV contacts an accredited certifying body from outside of Quebec and verifies whether or not its operational standards comply with or are equivalent to standards required here in Quebec. As of July 1^st, 2003, any accredited certifying body from abroad or from other Canadian provinces that is planning to sell products on Quebec territory must undergo this validation process in order to obtain compliance recognition.

Are there any other accreditation requests currently under way?

No. We do suggest however that you check the list on the CARTV Web site regularly in order to remain up to date on any changes.

Do products exported to the United States have to meet any specific requirements?

Products being sold to American customers must all be certified, according to requirements established by the National Organic Program (NOP). As such, Quebec organic products destined for the American market must meet NOP standards and consequently be certified by the NOP. Under the terms of CARTV recognition by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), NOP certification is available to any operator dealing with CARTV-accredited certifying bodies.