National Organic Program bans certifier from operating in China

USDA’s National Organic Program (NOP) has reached a settlement agreement with the Organic Crop Improvement Association (OCIA) regarding its operation in China. NOP, which is administered by the Agricultural Marketing Service, has struck a settlement agreement with OCIA that prohibits the organization from operating in China. OCIA retains its accreditation for its certification activities in other countries including the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

In August 2007, NOP conducted an onsite audit of OCIA and its certified operations in China as a part of the program’s organic accreditation renewal process. The audit found that OCIA used inspectors connected to the Chinese government, who had a conflict of interest with the certified organic operations. OCIA claims that no Chinese products that it certified were ever identified as having been inappropriately certified organic.

As part of the settlement, OCIA would be able to apply for re-accreditation as a certifying agent in China after one year. In order for OCIA to be approved to start certifying organic operations in China, OCIA would have to hire inspectors who have no connection to any governmental or quasi-governmental Chinese entity to inspect OCIA certified operations in China.

OCIA has agreed to increased NOP oversight and inspection of the company and its operations if the company is accredited to certify operations in China again.