Expanding your organic business to the USA? Here’s what you need to know
The organic market in the United States is booming. With consumer demand growing year after year, it has become one of the most attractive markets for organic producers worldwide. But entering the U.S. market with organic products isn’t as simple as placing them on a shelf. It requires certification under the National Organic Program (NOP)—the official organic standard of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
At Kiwa BCS, we have been supporting businesses in obtaining NOP certification since 2002. Whether you’re a farmer, processor, or trader, we help you navigate the certification process, ensuring your products meet the strict U.S. organic requirements.
What makes NOP certification so important?
Imagine you’ve spent years perfecting your organic products, meeting the highest quality standards, and building a strong reputation in your local market. Now, you want to expand to the United States—a country where organic products are highly valued, and consumers are willing to pay a premium for them.
However, without NOP certification, your products cannot be labelled or sold as organic in the U.S. This certification is your passport to the American organic market, allowing you to legally market your goods under the USDA’s well-recognized organic label.
The U.S. has trade agreements with some countries, such as the European Union and Japan, allowing for easier organic trade. But if your country is not part of such an agreement, obtaining an NOP certification is the only way to sell your organic products as "organic" in the U.S.
How does NOP certification work?
Getting certified might seem complex, but with the right partner, it’s a clear and structured process. At Kiwa BCS, we guide you through every step:
- Request a free quote – Start by getting a non-binding offer from us.
- Inspection – We conduct an on-site audit to evaluate whether your products meet NOP standards.
- Evaluation – Our inspectors prepare a detailed report of their findings.
- Certification decision – A second, independent expert reviews the report and makes the certification decision.
- Certification granted – If everything checks out, you receive your official NOP certificate, allowing you to export and sell your products in the U.S. as organic.
Since transparency and quality are key in organic certification, we always follow the four-to-six-eyes principle, meaning that the person who conducts the inspection is never the same person who makes the final certification decision. This ensures objectivity and the highest standards of certification.
Who needs NOP certification?
Many businesses assume that only farmers or manufacturers need certification. But in reality, every player in the supply chain must be NOP certified—from raw material producers to processors and even traders.
For example, let’s say you are an organic tea producer. Not only must your farm be certified, but if you’re selling packaged tea, the processing facility that blends and packages it must also be certified. Even a trader who simply repackages or labels the tea would need certification.
Without this, your product cannot be marketed as organic in the U.S.
What’s changed in 2024?
The world of organic certification is constantly evolving, and 2024 brought some important updates for businesses exporting organic products to the U.S.
From March 19, 2024, a NOP Import Certificate (NOPIC) will be required for all organic imports into the U.S. No certificate, no entry.
And from September 19, 2024, the USDA will enforce stricter regulations under the Strengthening Organic Enforcement (SOE) rule. This means:
- Temporary codes for uncertified organic imports will no longer be accepted.
- All importers and exporters must be fully certified—not just those involved in processing.
- If an organic product does not have the necessary certification, it must be relabeled and sold as a conventional product instead.
These changes aim to enhance transparency in the organic supply chain and ensure that only truly certified organic products enter the U.S. market.
Why work with Kiwa BCS?
At Kiwa BCS, we don’t just certify—we partner with you to help you succeed in the U.S. organic market.
With over 20 years of experience in NOP certification, we know the process inside out and ensure a smooth, efficient certification journey for your business.
Our expertise gives you more than just a certificate. It gives you:
- Full access to the U.S. organic market
- A globally trusted USDA organic seal
- The confidence of working with an experienced, independent certification body
If you’re ready to take your organic products to the U.S., let’s make it happen together.