Changes in the export of organic products to the USA

From March 19, 2024, the export of Dutch organic food products to the United States will undergo significant changes. Exporters must adapt to new regulations to access the American market. These changes are a direct result of tightened American legislation.

Exporters of organic products to the USA will now require an accompanying transaction certificate for each shipment. This certificate must be registered in the Organic Integrity Database of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). This step is vital for maintaining the organic status of each shipment. The certificates, crucial for ensuring transparency and traceability, will be registered by Skal in this database. While the application process through Mijn.Skal.nl remains unchanged, the issuance of these certificates will now occur via the Organic Integrity Database.

Stricter American Organic Regulations

The reason for this change is the recent tightening of American organic regulations. The National Organic Program (NOP), a part of the USDA, has taken these measures to support the growth of the organic market and to enhance control over the organic supply chains. A NOP Import Certificate is now required for all organic shipments to the USA. Exporters must apply for this certificate through the relevant control authority, represented in the Netherlands by Skal. Skal plays a pivotal role in this process by assessing the export certificates and registering them in the Organic Integrity Database, after which the USDA NOP issues the certificates.

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