OFDC Organic Certification Instructions

I. Certification programs and standards:

1. The certification programs, standards, and categories that OFDC are accredited:
1China national organic certification:
Certification standard: GB/T 19630organic product
Certification categories production (crop, mushroom, and wild collection), animal
cultivation (livestock & poultry, aquiculture, and apiculture), and processing
2OFDC/IFOAM organic certification:
Certification standard: OFDC organic certification standard has been accredited
equivalent to EU
Certification categories production (crop, mushroom, and wild collection), animal
cultivation (livestock & poultry, aquiculture, and apiculture), and processing
3Canada organic certification:
Certification standards: Canada Organic Standard (CAN/CGSB-32.310-2006), and
Canada Organic Permitted Substance List (CAN/CGSB-32.311-2006)
Certification categoriescrop production, wild collection, and processing
4:US-Canada Organic Equivalence Certification
The certification under the US-Canada Organic Equivalence Agreement
Certification categoriescrop production, wild collection, and processing

2. OFDC will provide Chinese version and English version of the GB/T 19630 Organic
Product and the OFDC Organic Certification Standard to domestic and/or foreign
applicants. For domestic operators apply for Canada organic certification, OFDC will
provide only Chinese translation of Canada organic standards/regulations for reference;
the

applicants

are

required

to

obtain

original

version

of

Canada

organic

standards/regulations by themselves.
3. OFDC public documents for certification requirements, procedures and application
documents are open, you can download the documents on OFDC website
www.ofdc.org.cn.
4. The related national standards, industry standards or regional standards are the basis for
evaluating the products quality.

. Basic requirements for an organic production base (outline)

1. The environment of production base must in line with requirement in standard of GB/T
19630 Organic Product. If the applicant/operator is not able to provide any report or
verification of the environment quality, the applicant/operator may be required by OFDC
to consign local qualified environment monitoring agent to conduct environment test to
the production base;
2. Have never used any materials that are listed as prohibited in the related Standards, in the
past 24 months (for annual crops) or 36 months (for perennial crops);
3. Not treat seeds with any prohibited substance prior to sowing or use any seeds or
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4.
5.
6.
7.
8.

9.

seedlings of GMO;
Establish a long-term plan for soil building, plant protection, crop rotation and livestockraising;
Be free from apparent soil and water loss, and wind erosion and other environmental
problems;
Guarantee freedom from contamination during harvesting, cleaning, drying, storing and
transporting of the crops;
In the case of split/parallel production, the operation must set up management system for
the split/parallel production to control the organic integrity;
Have undergone a minimum of 24-36 months of conversion for farmland in a
conventional production system to become eligible for organic certification or at least 12
months for newly reclaimed land from wasteland or land deserted for years;
Have established a complete quality control and audit trailing system, together with a
sound record-keeping system for its production and sales, obeying the requirements in
GB/T 19630-4 the organic management system.

. Basic

Requirements for organic product processing/ trading (outline)

1. Raw materials must be certified organic products or natural/wild products;

2. Certified organic raw materials should not be less than 95 % of the finished product in
weight or volume;
3. Only natural seasonings, pigments, spices, and substances listed as allowed in the related
Standards are allowed for use in the processing. Synthetic ones, and those that are
produced out of GMOs or products thereof, or treated with ionizing radiation are
prohibited;
4. In the case of split/parallel processing, the operation must set up management system for
the split/parallel processing to control the organic integrity;
5. Organic products should be kept free from any contamination during the process of
processing, storage and transportation;
6. The entire process of processing/storage/transportation/trading should be well
documented with all related bills or documents kept on file, obeying the requirements in
GB/T 19630-4 the organic management system.

. Basic procedure in applying for OFDC organic certification

1. Applicant should first tell about its intention for organic certification to the OFDC
Inspection Department I, and then ask for an application form and other open files for
applicants;
2. OFDC Inspection Department I will supply the applicant with a suit of open files,
including application form, questionnaires, standards, certification procedure chart,
procedure of complaint/appeal treatment, sample of certification contract, and tariff for
inspection and certification.
3. The applicant shall send back a completed application form, related questionnaires, and
required files for certification to OFDC Inspection Department I;
4. The OFDC Inspection Department I will conduct document review to application files
and then sign the inspection and certification contract with the applicant;
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5. The applicant shall remit relevant fees to OFDC according to the contract.
6. OFDC Inspection Department I will dispatch an inspector to conduct the on-site
inspection.
7. The inspector must conduct pre-inspection document reviewing, make the inspection
schedule, and conduct on-site inspection in appropriate time.
8. The inspector shall submit an inspection report after the inspection, describe all the
important information in the inspection report, and evaluate the conformity of the
operation. The inspection report must be confirmed and signed by the operator.
9. The OFDC Certification Committee will make a decision of certification based on the
information in the inspection report and supporting materials handed in by the applicant.
10. Based on the certification decision of OFDC Certification Committee, the Certification
and Accreditation Department print and then mail the certificates to applicant. All the
inspection report must be filed, and the certification information of each operator must be
inputted in the database.

V. Additional Requirements and Further Explanation

The followings are additional requirement for organic certification, and further
explanation regarding to organic standards.
1. Conversion period
1.1 If there is any verification or historical document that can be confirmed by OFDC for the
real date of starting organic operation, the conversion period can be calculated since the
date when the operator started organic operation.
1.2 Once any certified operator turns back to conventional operation, the production base
must undergo full conversion period once the operator want to be certified again.
1.3 The conversion plan of operation must be approved by OFDC and be checked every year
by OFDC.
1.4 Organic/Organic-in-conversion products will not be certified until at least 12 months after
the initial on-site inspection by OFDC.
2. Inspection Scope
For initial inspection, the inspection scope shall not less than 2/3 of the total production scope
(both for field number and acreage); and each category of the growing crops during
inspection must be inspected.
3. Split production
3.1 In cases of split production the operator must ensure that
a) the inputs used for non-certified products are clearly separated from the place for
production/processing/handling of certified products;
b) the documentation regarding the production or processing, storage and sales is well
managed and makes clear distinctions between certified and non-certified products;
c) that the measures taken to safeguard against the risk to the organic integrity is
understood at all levels of the operation.
4. Parallel production
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4.1 If a farm is engaged in parallel production, the operator must ensure that in addition to
the requirements for split production mentioned above, the following requirements
must be satisfied:
a) non-organic (or conversion) crops, livestock and produce and organic crops,
livestock and produce are of different varieties and are visually distinguishable.
Exceptions shall only be granted on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the
requirements in 4.2;
b) accurate production estimates are recorded and shall be checked against sales
records;
c) the inspection includes visits to the non-organic fields /facilities and/or processing
units;
d) inform OFDC in 48 hours before harvest of the parallel production base (if apply for
EU equivalence verification);
e) inform OFDC of the accurate yields of organic and non-organic section and separate
measure organic and non-organic products after harvest (if apply for EU equivalence
verification).
4.2 In cases where an exception has been granted to the requirements in 4.1-a), OFDC
will arrange inspections more frequently than once a year and at critical times. This
shall normally include inspections at the time of harvest or during processing.
5. Inputs
5.1 Inputs that are not listed in related organic certification standards. Exception for China
organic certification: if adopted measures are not able to maintain soil fertility and plant
health, the operator can apply to OFDC for usage of inputs that are not listed in standard of
GB/T 19630 Organic Standard. The operator must provide detail information of the
ingredients, source of ingredients, usage methods, usage amount, necessity of usage, and
ingredients test report (if necessary) in the application for usage of the inputs. OFDC must
estimate the inputs according to Annex E of GB/T 19630.1, and report the inputs to CNCA
(Certification and Accreditation Administration of P.R.C.) for approval.
5.2 If apply for EU equivalence verification, the following materials are not allowed to be
used as inputs to organic operation: agricultural Antibiotics, night soil and animal manure
from intensive animal farm.
5.3 If apply for EU equivalence verification, the operator must apply for usage of
conventional seeds or seedlings, and are not allowed to sow the seeds/seedlings before get
approval from OFDC.
6. Sampling and analyzing
6.1 If the operator is suspected to use prohibited materials, or the environment or products
may have been contaminated, OFDC inspector will conduct sampling and send the sample to
OFDC sub-contracted labs for test.
6.2 For initial inspection, except the live animals, all the operators must be sampled for
product test.
6.3 All the samples must be tested by OFDC sub-contracted labs for test.
6.4 For China organic certification, the pesticide residue must not beyond 5% of limitation in
GB2763, content of heavy metal and contamination must not beyond limitation in GB2762.
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Please refer to GB/T 19630 Organic Standard for details.

7. Genetic Modified Organism (GMO) Products

7.1 The operator must know about the law/regulation for GMO management, and GMO
varieties have occurred in production, the details can be found in the Agricultural
Genetically Modified Organism (AGMO) Safety Management Ordinance (State
Council file NO.304), and the List of GMO Varieties Approved to be used in
Agriculture

Production

by

the

Ministry

of

Agriculturehttp://www.stee.agri.gov.cn/biosafety/spxx/t20060118_537879.htm.
7.2 For the operation that may have risk of GMO, the operation must conduct GMO test.
7.3 If the CB confirm GMO contamination risk in the operation, the operator must take
measures to reduce GMO contamination risk.
8. Wild collection certification
8.1 The operators shall harvest products only from a clearly defined area, and manage the
clearly defined harvest or collection of the wild products.
8.2 The operator must issues instructions to the collectors and any local agents
(middlemen), that at least defines the area of collection and informs them about the
standards and other requirements for certification;
8.3 The collectors shall sign statements that they have followed the instructions.
8.4 The operator has records of all collectors, and the quantities bought from each
collector;
8.5 Any middlemen shall be under contract to the operator;
8.6 The area of production shall be properly identified on appropriate maps, and shall be
large and distinct enough to reduce the risk of commingling with non-certified
production.
9. Private Labeling Registration (apply for organic product for export)
For the certified products for export, the labeling of the products must in line with
OFDC Guidance on Handling of Private Labeling Registration

VI. Post-certification management

1. OFDC Certificate and Logo Usage Management
1)

OFDC Organic/Organic-in-conversion Certificate and GAP Certificate are the

only legal verification for the usage of organic/organic-in-conversion logos and GAP
logos, and the valid period of the certificates are one year. For using of OFDC logo, the
certified operator must obtain OFDC Logo License, which is the verification file for the
usage of OFDC Logo.
2)

The applicant/certified operator must use OFDC logo according to the

certification program and usage scope indicated on the certificate. OFDC

applicant/certified operators can use the certificates and certification logos for
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advertising, in exhibition or other business negotiation meeting, and provide copies or

photos of the certificates if required. The certificate and logo can be enlarged or reduced
in size without any change to the shape and color, and the certification scope must be
stated. The OFDC logo can be enlarged or reduced in size without any change to the
shape and color. The details for usage of OFDC logo must refer to OFDC Logo Usage
Criteria.
3)

Once the certified operator is found any non-compliance, OFDC will treat

according to OFDC Condition and Procedure for Suspension, Withdrawal, Rejection

and Cancellation of Certification. When the certified operator has been suspended,
withdrawn, or cancelled, OFDC will inform the operator to stop using of certificate and
logo, and return certificate in no time. OFDC has the right to public information of
suspended, withdrawn, or cancelled, and withdraw the certificate unilaterally.
4)

For any non-certified products, the packages of the products must not show any

term of ORGANIC,CONVERSION TO ORGANIC NO-POLLUTION,

NATURAL, and other similar words, which may mislead consumers.
5If you should have any questions on OFDC certificate and logo usage management,
please contact OFDC chief technician, Ms. Wang Hui. Tel: +86-25-85287236, Fax+8625-85419083Emailwangh@ofdc.org.cn
* For details, please refer to OFDC-PR4.6-03 OFDC Certificate and Logo Usage
Control Procedure
2. Product/Logo Extending and/or Reducing
For operator whose certificate is in valid date, and applies for extending/reducing
product certification scope, numbers of organic logo, please contact OFDC Certification
and Accreditation Dept.
Please ask for the application files for extending/reducing certification, or download
the files in OFDC website: www.ofdc.org.cn. Please contact Ms. Bian Huijun. Tel: +8625-85287145, Fax+86-25-85419083Emailbianhuijun@ofdc.org.cn
* For details, please refer to OFDC-PR4.6-01 OFDC Condition and Procedure for
Granting Maintaining Extending, Reducing and Changing of Certification
3. Transaction Certificate (TC) handling
The seller or operator applies to OFDC for requesting Transaction Certificate Authorization
(TCA), and handling of Transaction Certificate (TC) before sell the products. The
applicant/operator must fill the TCA, and submit it to OFDC Certification and Accreditation

Dept., together with invoice/BOL/contract of the transaction. Generally, OFDC will issue
TC within 2 days after reviewing all the transaction documents. The original TC is sent to
the buyer and copy of TC to the seller.

Please ask for the application files for TCA to OFDC Certification and Accreditation
Dept., or download the files in OFDC website: www.ofdc.org.cn. Please contact Mr..Sun
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Zhongyu. Tel: +86-25-85287248, Fax+86-25-85419083Emailsunzy@ofdc.org.cn

4. Significant changes in operator
significant changes in operator includes: changes in the ownership, structure or
management of the operator, changes significantly affecting the product's design or
specification, changes in the standards and/or requirements to which compliance of the
product is certified, and in the case of any other information indicating that the product
may no longer comply with the requirements of the certification system, the certified
operator must inform OFDC Certification and Accreditation Dept. about the changes in
10 days, otherwise the certificate may be suspended or withdrawn.
Please contact Mr. Wang Xingping, the director of OFDC Certification and
Accreditation Dept. for the event of change. Tel: +86-25-85287068, Fax +86-2585419083Emailwangxp@ofdc.org.cn.
* For details, please refer to OFDC-PR4.6-01 OFDC Condition and Procedure for
Granting Maintaining Extending, Reducing and Changing of Certification, and OFDCPR4.6-02 OFDC Condition and Procedure for Suspension, Withdrawal, Rejection and
Cancellation of Certification
5. Handling to appeal, complaint and dispute
The appeal, complaint and dispute must be put forward to OFDC in the following
methods:
1) The appeal, complaint and dispute must be submitted in written files;
2) The file must be signed by the responsible person of the interested party;
3) The responsible person must have direct relation to the matter of the appeal, complaint
and dispute.
4) Normally, the anonymous appeal, complaint and dispute are not acceptable.
OFDC Certification and Accreditation Dept. is responsible for handling of the appeal,
complaint and dispute, and inform the related parties for result of the handling.
Please contact Mr. Wang Xingping, the director of OFDC Certification and
Accreditation Dept. for the event of change. Tel: +86-25-85287068, Fax +86-2585419083Emailwangxp@ofdc.org.cn.
6. Annual re-certification
According to the Article 24 of Regulatory Measures on Organic Product Certification
Management of Decree No. 67 of State General Administration of Quality Supervision,
Inspection and Quarantine, the validity period of organic certificate is one year. OFDC
will mail the re-application files to the certified operator 3 months before the invalid date
of the certificate. Please fill and submit the application files to OFDC in time, and mail or
email to OFDC Inspection Dept. I. You can also download all the application forms and
questionnaires in OFDC website.
Please contact Ms. Zhou Juan, Tel: +86-25-85287142, Fax: +86-25-85287242, Email
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zhoujuan@ofdc.org.cn

Organic Food Development and Certification Center of China

Address: 8 Jiangwangmiao Street, Nanjing, 210042, China
Tel: +86-25-85287038 Fax: +86-25-85287242/85419083
Email: ofdcchina@ofdc.org.cn Web: www.ofdc.org.cn

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