STRENGTHENING ORGANIC ENFORCEMENT (SOE) SOE is effective March 20, 2023, and full implementation is March 19, 2024.
Strengthening Organic Enforcement or “SOE” is regulation from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Organic Program (NOP). SOE amends the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) organic regulations by strengthening oversight and enforcement of the production, handling, and sale of organic agricultural products. SOE protects integrity in the organic supply chain and builds consumer and industry trust in the USDA organic label by strengthening organic control systems, improving farm to market traceability, and providing robust enforcement of the USDA organic regulations.
503.378.0690 PO Box 368 Corvallis, OR 97339 getcertified@tilth.org tilth.org
DO YOU NEED TO BE CERTIFIED? ASSESS YOUR SUPPLY CHAIN.
More than one activity may apply; portions of your business may need to be certified while other portions may be exempt.
UNDERSTANDING THE CERTIFICATION PROCESS
STEP 1: CONTACT OTCO
STEP 5: FINAL REVIEW
We’re here to help make sure your application and certification process is clear and set-up for success. The first step of your certification journey starts with contacting us.
After receiving the inspection report, a second member of your client service team will review your finalized application along with the inspection report to evaluate compliance with the organic standards. We may contact you for more information if we need additional clarification.
STEP 2: SUBMIT APPLICATION The core of your application is a detailed Organic System Plan (OSP). Each OSP is different and personalized by your operation type, location, business model, sustainability goals and more. Our application provides the framework you need to create your OSP. The OSP is your written plan and supporting information that outlines your production practices. It provides all of the information necessary for OTCO to determine your compliance with the regulations for certified organic products and services.
STEP 6: CERTIFICATION
STEP 3: APPLICATION REVIEW
STEP 7: FEE REIMBURSEMENT
After you submit your application, you will be paired with a dedicated client service team. A team member will review your application materials to ensure everything is complete and clear — we call this the “initial review.”
The National Organic Certification Cost Share Program helps all certified operators afford the expense of organic certification by refunding up to 75 percent of certification costs per scope of operation, with a maximum of $500 per scope.
STEP 4: INSPECTION
STEP 8: RENEWAL
Following your initial review, we will schedule your inspection with a trained organic inspector who specializes in the needs of your operation (e.g. livestock, food processing).
Renewing your certification is part of the certification process. To maintain your certification, it is important to complete the Organic System Plan (OSP) Renewal Application and submit your certification fees by your operation’s assigned deadline every year. Our OSP Renewal Application is designed to ensure that all certification requirements are met, even if you hold multiple classes of certification, such as crop and livestock.
Congratulations! Once certification is granted, we will send you an organic certificate. The certificate is a legal document identifying your company, category of certification, and certified organic products and/or services. You can start marketing your product or services using the USDA and Oregon Tilth seals. Organic certification remains in effect until surrendered, suspended, or revoked and must be kept updated annually.
OREGON TILTH VALUES INTEGRITY
KNOWLEDGE
We do the right thing, no matter what.
We pursue new ideas and innovation
We are of good character.
in service to a greater good.
We grow trust through honesty,
We transform hope into
consistent care and attention.
influence and solutions. We are eager learners and
TRANSPARENCY
enthusiastic educators, sharing know-how with others to encourage continuous improvement.
We share our beliefs, decisions, strengths and failures. We are vulnerable and
TEAMWORK
aim for authenticity. We are open and honest, even when
We see collaboration with others
things are unclear or unknown.
as a roadmap to success. We celebrate each other’s uniqueness.
COMPASSION We live with a purpose to make a d ifference for others.
We build solid, lasting relationships. We each do our part.
COURAGE
We seek to understand the thoughts and feelings of others.
We turn our beliefs and values
We are generous of heart.
into concrete action. We see challenges as opportunities.
HARMONY We believe everything is interconnected. We work towards balance, support and the well-being of all life – human, plant and animal. We honor differences and value diversity as the bedrock of resilience.
We face difficult tasks and conversations rather than avoiding them.
TILTH /tilTH/ noun
QUALITY OF CULTIVATED SOIL. CULTIVATION OF WISDOM AND SPIRIT. We work to support and promote biologically sound and socially equitable agriculture.
Oregon Tilth Main Office tilth.org
Oregon Tilth Mexico Office esp.tilth.org
503-378-0690 organic@tilth.org
(52)-452-255-0953 mexico@tilth.org