The USA is the largest and most dynamic organic market in the world, and while there is substantial organic production in the US, this market offers plentiful export opportunities for organic producers in Asia and around the world.
In October 2002, the US Government enacted the National Organic Program (NOP) which regulates how organic food to be sold in the US is produced and labelled. NOP requires any farmer, wild harvester, processor, manufacturer or handler, whether within or outside the USA, to comply with the NOP. There is government enforcement with a penalty for violations.
The NOP is codified in a set of standards that covers crop standards, livestock standards and handling standards. The NOP standards are process standards, regulating how a product is produced, not end-check standards measuring the qualities of the finished product. Certain substances and production methods, such as use of Genetically Modified Organisms, are expressly prohibited.
Products sold in the USA must be certified by an NOP Accredited Certifying Agent. Any company wishing export organic products the USA must contract a certifier who has applied has been granted accreditation from USDA. As of September 25, 2003 there were 88 certifiers accredited to certify to the NOP standards. Of these 53 were US based (60%) and 35 were based outside of the USA (40%). Of the certifiers outside the USA, 18 are from Europe (51%), 9 are from Latin America (26%), 6 are from Canada, and 2 are from Australia. There are currently no Asian certifiers recognized by USDA as accredited to the certify to NOP. Organic Agriculture Certification Thailand has applied.
Choice of a certification service provider is a critical decision for any Asian producer wishing tap the US market. Since there are no NOP accredited certifiers in Asia today, I recommend contracting with a US based certifier who has invested in building international certification and cultural expertise. While there is no substitute for a producer being directly and thoroughly familiar with the NOP, a qualified certifier can be of great assistance.
I also recommend that Asian producers work with directly with national and regional certifiers in Asia, emphasize the importance of gaining NOP accreditation, and encourage them to apply. This may seem a daunting task, but in the long run, is will worth the investment of time and resources. US certification expert consultants can be hired to help guide them through this process and help them learn to understand and overcome the hurdles.