The National Organic Program (NOP) allows you to export and market organic products in the United States of America (USA). It certifies agricultural and zootechnical products, processed products intended for human and animal nutrition (excluding aquaculture products), technical means for agriculture, cosmetic products.
The National Organic Program is the legislation that since 2002 regulates the production and labeling of organic products in the United States. Since 2012, the reciprocal equivalence agreement between the NOP regulation (National Organic Program) and the EC Regulation 834/07 has come into force. This agreement allows the export to the USA of organic products, already certified in accordance with EC Regulation 834/07, without the need to request a specific NOP certification and recheck the entire supply chain.
The equivalence agreement applies only to organic productions obtained in countries belonging to the European Union and does not include products of animal origin treated with antibiotics and all aquatic products (e.g. fish, crustaceans, molluscs).
Organic products destined for the United States and certified under EC Reg. 834/07 in an equivalence regime, must always be accompanied by a "NOP Import Certificate" which must accompany each batch of exported goods.
Thanks to the equivalence agreement, EU organic products can be exported to the USA with the NOP logo on the label. The remaining indications will have to comply with US regulations on labeling.
The equivalence agreement also applies to wine on condition that the Control Body is also able to certify compliance with the more restrictive requirements typical of the NOP standard:
- Exclusive use of gaseous sulfur dioxide as a source of sulphites (potassium metabisulphite is not permitted)
- Maximum limit of sulphites equal to 100 mg/l
- Each adjuvant and/or additive used must also be admitted by the NOP regulation