Fields of Application

When must producers and processors wishing to market their organic products be certified?

As of July 1, 2003, producers and processors of organic food products accepted from outside of Quebec must have been certified by a body either accredited by the CARTV or having reference standards equivalent to those in Quebec. As of February 1, 2000, all Quebec firms must comply with regulations established by the Act Respecting Reserved Designations and since June 15, 2008 by the Act Respecting Reserved Designations and Added-value Claims.

I am a small agricultural producer, do I need to be certified?

Yes, and this applies regardless of your annual sales turnover. This may however change in the future, when an official announcement will be made to this effect.

I manage a small processing firm, do I need to be certified?

Yes, and this applies regardless of your annual sales turnover. This may however change in the future, when an official announcement will be made to this effect.

Who needs to be certified?

Every firm that produces, processes, packages and handles organic products must be certified and must comply with the regulations set out in Quebec's Act Respecting Reserved Designations and Value-Added Claims.