Organic Handler Information

Certified organic handlers are certified to handle organic products in accordance with National Organic Standards. Organic handlers perform numerous functions, including packing and shipping, manufacturing and processing, and brokering, wholesaling, or distributing.

Certified organic operations are inspected at least once a year. 

MTDA may conduct additional inspections:

• To resolve an issue 
• As part of USDA NOP surveillance 

Operations are subject to USDA NOP unannounced inspections.

Operations are required to notify their certifying agent if changes or events take place that may affect their compliance with the NOP standards. Examples of situations that would require you to notify MTDA include the following:

• Before any new materials are used by the operation.
• A prohibited substance is applied to any field, production unit, product, parcel, or site involved in organic production, whether directly or indirectly, intentionally, or unintentionally.
• You add acreage, a new field, a new greenhouse, a new product line, or a new production facility to your organic operation.
• You remove a field or production facility, or a portion thereof, from organic production.
• You develop a new retail label for your organic products.
• You process or handle new organic products, not already listed in your OSP.

This list is not exhaustive. If a change to your operation could potentially affect your compliance with the NOP standards, please contact MTDA Certification Services at the phone number or email address listed below.

• National Organic Program Regulations