The requirement to upload a copy of the organic product certificate in the Integrated Import Declaration (IID) has been in effect for 3 months. The CFIA would like to provide stakeholders with a brief summary of the most common issues that have been observed so far with the documents uploaded by importers and brokers:
- Missing Product Addendum
In several instances, only the front page of the certificate is uploaded, and the product addendum is not included. The Product Addendum/Appendix is an essential component of an organic product certificate that lists the products covered, identifying them by their specific product name and any trademarks under which they are marketed. Product names on the certificates should coincide with the label and shipping bill, as well as the import and export documentation.
- Missing Attestation Statement for products imported under the USCOEA
Import declarations submitted under the United States–Canada Organic Equivalency Arrangement (USCOEA) are often missing the page of the certificate with the attestation statement: “Certified in accordance with the terms of the US-Canada Organic Equivalency Arrangement.”
- Incorrect Documents Uploaded
In several cases, incorrect documents are uploaded in place of the organic certificate, for example:
- transaction certificates
- bills of lading
- certificates of analysis
- confirmations of sale
These documents do not constitute an organic product certificate.
- Certificates Past Their Validity Period
Some declarations have included certificates that are no longer valid. While most certificates are valid for up to 18 months from the effective or signed date, exceptions exist:
- Taiwan: Certificates may be valid for up to 3 years
- European Union: Validity can range from 6 months to 3 years
Importers are responsible for ensuring that the certificate is valid at the time of import.
Reminder from CFIA
To ensure your import declarations meet CFIA requirements, please verify that the uploaded organic product certificate:
- is issued to the last operation in the supply chain immediately prior to import
- is issued by a CB that is either accredited by CFIA or recognized under an equivalency arrangement
- includes both the original certificate’s front page and a product list/addendum/appendix that shows the exact product(s) declared
- specifies the organic standard to which the product is certified
- is valid at the time of import
Note: Validity periods vary depending on the organic system under which the certificate was issued.
This information can be found on the updated CFIA web page: Canada Organic Regime import requirements at https://inspection.canada.ca/en/food-labels/organic-products/import-requirements