Past Events

Join COTA on Friday, June 23 from 2-3pm Eastern Time as we welcome National Organic Program (NOP) Deputy Administrator Jennifer Tucker, PhD to learn about new rules to combat fraud in the organic sector. Valeriya Staykova, Lead Auditor of the Canada Organic Regime, will address questions related to enforcement of the new rules in Canada. The formal presentation will be followed by a Question-and-Answer period.

USDA Rule on Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE)

On January 18, the USDA published its final rule on Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE). It is the single most significant legislation related to organics in the US since the NOP regulations were first implemented in 1990 and will impact all those exporting organic products to the US. 

The date of implementation is March 19, 2024. The rule aims to deter and detect fraud and strengthen organic integrity by improving record-keeping requirements and oversight of organic certifications as well as introducing additional enforcement mechanisms.

**This webinar will be presented in English, but information will also be shared in French. 

Please share with those in your network who may be interested. Questions can be directed to mbosch@canada-organic.ca. A recording of the webinar will be available as a member benefit for COTA members who are unable to attend.

With the 15th annual Organic Week happening September 18-24, 2023, we invite all retailers to join us in learning how to make the most of your Organic Week participation.

Get familiar with Organic Week point-of-sale materials, digital marketing toolkit contents, national contests, programming, and more. 

The webinar will take place June 21 at 2pm EDT

This is an industry-only event and is not intended for consumers.

Sales of organic products in Canada represent more than $9.35 billion annually. The integrity of the Canadian organic system is fundamental to trade. The sector relies heavily on imported ingredients. Equivalency arrangements with 34 jurisdictions facilitate the export of Canadian organic products globally (27 EU countries plus 7 Organic Equivalency Arrangements).

This webinar, hosted by COTA and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency Canada Organic regime team, provides an overview of requirements related to trade of organic products followed by a Question-and-Answer session. 

Topics:

• CFIA import requirements for organic products 
• Strengthening of import controls – development of Other Government Department (OGD) codes for organic products: purpose, status, requirements
• Update on the 2nd stage of the project (uploading organic certificates) 
• Canada’s organic equivalency arrangements and export requirements
• US Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) Rule and impact on exporters
• Challenges and opportunities
• Q&A

**This webinar will be presented in English, but information will also be shared in French. A recording of the webinar will be available for those who are unable to attend.

This is an industry only event 

Please share with those in your network who may be interested. Questions can be directed to mbosch@canada-organic.ca.