OIA :: Organización Internacional Agropecuaria :: International Service of Certification

FAQ

1	What are organic products ?

2	Why producing and consuming organic products?

3	What organic productions does Organización Internacional Agropecuaria certify?

4	Where can I get the standards of agricultural production for my type of production?

5	Where can I get a list of permitted inputs?

6	Can I access all markets with one organic certificate?

7	What is the meaning of NOP?

8	How is NOP labeling?

9	Is there an “Organic in Transition” category for NOP?

10	How is an organic product marketed?

11	Is there a price difference between an organic product and a conventional one?

12	What other advantages does an organic producer receive?

13	What are GMO or Transgenic products?

14	Can I purchase products certified by other certifying agency?

For additional information please e-mail to Argentina: oia@oia.com.ar
Brazil: oiabrasil@oiabrasil.com.br

oia@oia.com.ar

We answer your certification need

1- What are organic products?

Are products obtained with sustainable production systems. That is achieved by means of:
• Rational use of natural resources
• Not using products of chemical synthesis
• Increasing or maintaining fertility
• Increasing or maintaining biodiversity
• Keeping records that prove an adequate management

An organic product must keep identity and integrity and must be certified by an authorized certifier.

2- Why producing and consuming organics?

Advantages for the producer:
	Keeps the system sustainability without erosion or contamination
	Allows the producer to stop applying systems that depend on inputs, in order to incorporate eco-friendly technologies.
	The producer can access markets with a differential product

Advantages for consumers:
	Healthy food.
	Indirect care of environment.
	Guaranteed and identifiable products.

3- What organic productions does Organización Internacional Agropecuaria certify?

There is a wide variety of organic food certified; some of them are: pears, apples, citrics, juices and fruit concentrates, table grapes, melons, wine, olive oil, sunflower (kernel and oil), soybean, corn, wheat, safflower, onions, flax, buckwheat, garlic, millet, mate herb, rye, raisins, marmalades, cookies, noodles, cucumbers, olives, amaranth, rice, pepper, pumpkin, eggplant, lavander and other aromatics and spices, asparagus, honey, cotton, wool, fibers, eggs, chicken, beef, sheep, milk, cheese, sugar, etc.

4- Where can I get the standards of agricultural production for my type of production?

You can download them free of charge from our website of request them at our main office placed in Avenida Santa Fe 830, Acassuso, Pcia. de Buenos Aires, Argentina.

You can also request them at our branch offices in Cuyo and Brazil.

5- Where can I obtain a list of permitted inputs?

In the organic production standards there is a list of permitted inputs.

6- Can I access all markets with one organic certificate?

Yes, as long as your certificate has the adequate scope.

Find out with your certifier about the destination market and it will assist you with the export requirements regarding certification.

7- What is the meaning of NOP?

NOP means National Organic Program.

On December, 2002 the Department of Agriculture de los estados Unidos (USDA) publicó las normas finales del Programa Ecológico Nacional que en inglés se llama Nacional Organic Program (NOP). En este programa se detallan los estándares nacionales de Estados Unidos para la producción y manipulación de alimentos cultivados de modo ecológico.

8- ¿Cómo se realiza el etiquetado para NOP?

Se contemplan 4 posibilidades de etiquetado para NOP:

• “100 por ciento orgánico” El producto contiene en su totalidad ingredientes orgánicos.

• “Orgánico” Al menos un 95% del peso del producto, excluyendo el agua y la sal, está compuesto por ingredientes orgánicos.

• “Elaborado con ……orgánico” Al menos un 70% hasta un 95% de los ingredientes son orgánicos. Se nombran hasta tres ingredientes o grupos de alimentos orgánicos.

• Listado de ingredientes orgánicos en el indicador de ingredientes en los productos que contengan menos del 70% de ingredientes orgánicos.

9- ¿Existe la categoría “Orgánico en Transición” para NOP?

No, la categoría orgánico en transición no existe en NOP, su norma no contempla esta categoría.

10- How is an organic product marketed?

Un producto orgánico se comercializa siempre respaldado por un certificado, que refleja el cumplimiento de las normativas orgánicas en todo el circuito que sigue el mismo desde la producción de la materia prima hasta el producto final.

La certificadora nunca participa en la cadena comercial.

11- Is there a price difference between an organic and conventional product?

The organic products are differential products (identifiable, with smaller offer and endorsed quality) and have an added value comparing with conventional products.

12- What other advantages does an organic producer receive?

Besides commercial advantages and the environmental conservation, the organic producer can promote a product that has own identity and position accoding to its quality, in a commercial chain different from the conventional products.

13- What are the GMO or Transgenic products?

The term“genetically modified organism” (GMO) implies "an organism whose genetic material has been modified in a way that does not respond to natural mating and/or recombination mechanisms".

You can consult the following OIA document: NC44 - lista productos OGM.pdf. Also, find more information in our section of Preserved Identity Certification Program - NON GMO: www.oia.com.ar/noogm.asp).

14- Can I purchase products certified by other certifying agency?

Reciprocity with other certifiers
Yes, you can purchase products certified by other certifiers as long as they are internationally accredited. It is important to find advise in OIA before purchasing products certified by other agencies so we can assist you in the steps to be taken.